Ray Mears - How to look after your axe, Bushcraft Survival

[@CapAdGroup]

Ray Mears is one of my top 10 most admired people.

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

Top 2 for me

[@TIMELORD-r7p]

Number 1 for me

[@pete777able]

beautiful tool and well maintained. Whenever I get a new axe (which is rare bc these days I just re-helve) i burn the finish off with a torch and sand it to #220. Then I rub it with pumice and apply several coats of shellac. After 24h I rub it out with newspaper and more pumice. This leaves a rock hard and super slippery finish on the axe (some people prefer leather or grooves. I was taught to let the tool slide during the stroke) I maintain both the blade and the helve with car wax. On the topic of losing sheaths, My granpa taught me that my axe and knife must never be further away then I could reach. If you "beat this rule in" it saves many headaches in the woods.

[@alanmeyers3957]

And your pistol, or rifle.

[@Artificial-Stupidity]

I remember seeing this a long time ago now! I took all the advice to heart, and am pleased to inform you: your lessons have served me well. 😅 Thank you for all your work mr. Mears.

[@philOKC]

I appreciate your concern for safety in everything you do. Very practical safety tips

[@JudahMaccabee_]

When I first used my Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe I put a thick coat of boiled linseed oil on the handle, and I can attest to it feeling sticky. I used 0000 steel wool to gently remove the sticky layer, wiped it down with a cloth, re-applied a very thin coat of linseed oil as Ray suggested and wiped it down right away. Now the handle looks and feels great.

[@antaress8128]

Good idea about that steel wool.

[@alanmeyers3957]

If you have time, try raw linseed, it penetrates deeper but takes longer to dry.

[@futuresonex]

He's right about always remembering where you set the sheath. They are EXTREMELY easy to lose in the woods! I've found that for me personally the very best place to put it is in my back pocket!

[@BeSatori]

+Gunslinger454 I always set mine in my back pocket for exactly that reason! Or inside my shoe or hat if I'm sleeping.

[@G1NZOU]

I loop mine in my belt, that way it's always with me while I'm using the axe and I have it to hand.

[@mombasadele479]

Yeah on your person is always best

[@eleveneleven572]

Gun oil on the blade and I use my shotgun stock oil, Scherells Schaftol, on the wood. Also gives a beautiful colour. Available in gun shops and on line. I don't wipe oil on with a rag but put it on my hand and massage it in before a quick wipe over. It uses less oil and gives better cover and the warmth from my palm aids absorption.

[@X_explorer]

Excellent channel! I like contemplating nature, explore and calm down...

[@theflyingcrud]

Beautiful. Turns out my axe was made by the same blacksmith, how cool to share that toolmaker of one of the most important tools with one of my heroes.

[@thegingerpowerranger]

I love that in this video he is clearly in the middle of no where, right in the middle of the forest and yet he still carries with him 4L of linseed oil so that he can keep his axe handle seasoned correctly.

[@AB-kg6rk]

The camera crew carries all that stuff (joke)!

[@jc4091]

"Hatchet" (Gary Paulsen) - one of my go to books

[@GabeMacDonnell]

I like to use a double boiler, with a parrafin/beewax mix, and wax the sheath. It makes a very durable, waterproof coating that last for ages. You can touch it up with treated wax, or even polish.

[@butterfliesandtape]

Handy tip regarding Linseed Oil cloths! Thanks Ray!

[@themadplotter]

This really makes me want to do the woodlore camp craft course!

[@Wintertrekker]

Excellent! Thank you. Reminds me I have some axes of my own to look after....

[@AB-kg6rk]

Thanks for the excellent video, as usual I learned alot. I need to know how best to sharpen the axe? I'd like to discuss different common hatchet shapes and styles even brand names. But thanks again great one.

[@Waldhandwerk]

Fine and good work, as usual. Thank you very much. Have a great Day, Sepp

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi, can you please tell me the brand of gun oil you have used on the axe? Sandy

[@cumorahwatson1967]

Thanks goodness, he's back! 😉

[@adelarsen9776]

You could use any oil really, from Singer sewing machine oil to Lanolin based oils which are natural. The army does not have a special gun oil. It's just light machine oil. If I can't help, just ring up a gun shop or ask at a disposals store. They'll help you.

[@WhoThisMonkey]

What oils can you gather from nature to protect your axe?

[@alanmeyers3957]

You can use pine tar/ pitch, heat it up enough to add viscosity and then rub it in, hope this helps.

[@arriviste2020]

Soaking the leather carrier with (a) Dubbin, (B) Neatsfoot oil, (c) Redwing boot oil and ensuring through penetration will automatically clean and oil the axe / hatchet blade every time the carrier / cover is fitted to the axe / hatchet head..

[@nacholibre1962]

In a pinch, any oil will do, including motor oil and even cooking oil. My preference is gun oil, simply because it's the most readily available in my house. I've actually used it for the haft, too, when no linseed was available. Ray mentions blisters: One way to prevent them is to wear leather gloves. A pair of leather roping (cowboy) gloves for the summer and a thermal lined version for the winter always accompany me into the bush. When handling logs, etc., it's important to protect your hands.

[@1stcSOLDIER]

Gun oil more available than cooking oil? Odd

[@alanmeyers3957]

Petroleum based oils can be detrimental to the longevity of wood, it’s always best to use linseed.

[@thanev1889]

Would it be better to put some w40,on the head of the axe? Or even, on the hand of it?

[@anaesterhazy631]

can you use lard instead?? or sunflower oil, something more handy?

[@scotland2256]

Yes, I have used sunflower oil on knives many times and it has kept them from rusting

[@max_fjellstorm]

What’s the name of the gun oil with the brush? Can’t find anything like it

[@doughroasterbushcraftandsu3947]

Its Bisley gun oil

[@kev1734]

I can imagine the wonderful smell. Looks beautiful!

[@donatasroswell7137]

maybe berrer oiling handle with tungoil? What are you think about it?

[@nacholibre1962]

Also a good idea to put a little linseed oil on the leather axe head cover...inside and out.

[@LCO213]

@1:15 don't use gun oil on your blades, use common, drug-store mineral oil instead. Mineral oil is very inexpensive compared to gun oil; it can be used as a skin moisturizer, is safe to ingest, and helps keep you regular if you are suffering a shortage of dietary fiber. It is also colorless, odorless, and non-toxic. I have been using mineral oil for cleaning, and preventing rust, on all of my blades for many years.

[@alanmeyers3957]

Excellent advice.

[@jackrumbold]

i used dubbin on both the handle and the sheath. and grease the head. with the same stuff you put into a diff.

[@220904416]

Could you also use the gun oil to coat knife blades that aren't stainless steel? I figured if it protects axe heads it will do the same to knife blades.

[@antiqAtqueIterum]

bronies everywhere

[@220904416]

Holy shit you replied to a comment over a year old?

[@antiqAtqueIterum]

220904416 you bronies funny people

[@alanmeyers3957]

Yes, but mineral oil is preferred and you can buy it in the grocery store and it’s non toxic and has multiple uses.

[@Maddawwg45]

how about bees wax to keep on the axe ? i have been using rem oil ( remington gun oil ) but in long term storage would bees wax be better ?

[@TheWoodsranger]

Why did he replace the clicking button? Mine still says GBS on it.

[@DonnyOutdoors]

Cheers Ray.

[@Bushcraftranger]

Thank you Ray!

[@rickst1550]

Sir, we're can I buy the gun oil that you applied to the axe head? Thank you

[@martinaxe6390]

Unsure of where you live, but at least in the US, we have plenty of gun stores. Otherwise, you may need to go online. It doesn't have to be gun oil. Coconut oil is another option. Heat slightly until melted, then pour over a unused kitchen sponge with a scotchbrite pad side. The oil is poured over the soft side of the sponge. The scotchbrite pad removes rust, and the foamy side applies an even and consistent coat of the coconut oil, which is resistant to spoilage or going rancid. More information can be found at the Bushcraft USA forums under the thread (not created by me) titled, "My Favorite Way to Keep Blades Rust Free (Cheap & Easy)".

[@jjay3582]

So is this raw or boiled linseed oil?

[@Beowulf_98]

Boiled.

[@Strelnikov10]

But I think you missed his point. Regardless of it's potential toxicity, it's smell, and the extra dollar it costs; he chose gun oil because it gives the longest lasting protection. This is important when you are going out on long canoe trips and may not be able to reapply oil regularly. Each type of oil has it's place. Definitely not knocking the use of mineral oil.

[@rfcdgaf]

Sooo we can use CLP on axes?

[@goldenscales]

Which program or vid do these axe ones come from, please?

[@TheJerry834]

Read the description maybe?

[@goldenscales]

Merci!

[@TheJerry834]

goldenscales ; )

[@SeaNNyTizzle]

was that boiled or raw linseed oil?

[@charleseden5246]

definitely boilded linseed oil....raw takes days or even weeks to completely dry

[@TheJerry834]

+Charles Eden Yep but definitely worth it imo. Not a big fan of heavy metals like cobalt leaching on my hands.

[@BanjaxedSociety]

What gun oil is that?

[@trackman333able]

I use dubbin on my mask ; soaks in keeps it supple and proofs against wet.

[@kvnztr]

Can somebody tell me where to get the bottle he has at 1:20?

[@stoke101]

It's a British Army oil bottle which gets issued with standard rifle cleaning kits. Hope that's of help for you.

[@nevillepass]

always interesting, sometimes all you need is an axe right! i enjoy!!

[@miles12814]

Does anyone know the specific brand of gun oil Ray uses here?

[@jean-pierredelorraine6161]

+Keith Harten Some olive oil works excellent on both the carbon steel head and hickory handle. My wife had left our Gränsfors Bruk Small Forest Axe in the rain and it began to rust. So I removed the rust with some 600 grit sandpaper for metal and olive oil. I sanded down the hickory handle too with wood sandpaper as it seemed a bit rough to my hands and wiped it down with olive oil as well. It worked wonders and my axe is looking really sharp now.

[@miles12814]

+Jean-Pierre Delorraine Thanks.

[@jean-pierredelorraine6161]

You're welcome. While you can definitely purchase specialty oils for wood & carbon steel, a good olive oil will do the trick. Here in the heart of Europe we eat organic linseed oil on boiled potatoes with fresh curd. It's an old poor man's dish. I sometimes even use expensive olive oil from Provence on the carbon steel blade of my friction folder. Works great, but any good olive oil will do. Take care and cheers.

[@mombasadele479]

@@jean-pierredelorraine6161 why does the olive oil need to be good?

[@erikfogelmark4476]

Bushcrafers tend to like nature and want to avoid chemicals/unnatural things. Gun oil often contains PFC:s. That is Teflon. Fluorocarbons. Almost never breaks down. A gun oil without loads of chemicals is Ballistol.

[@tjsmith112]

He said gun oil. Its a us military developed product called C.L.P. cleaner, lubricant, protectant

[@ericcam5556]

"linseed oil soaked cloths have been known to spontaneously combust, so if you're going to throw them away, make sure you soak them in water for a good while first, or better yet, burn them." *throws rag on the ground*

[@WhoThisMonkey]

6 years and such a important bit of safety advice only has 9 thumbs up? Ray Mears can't be too popular anymore 😔

[@davidferreire9589]

Is that a Gränsfors axe?

[@JudahMaccabee_]

Yep. the Gransfors Bruk Small Forest Axe. One of the best tools I ever owned and used. Very versatile indeed.

[@PIPERJIM2024]

Me to.

[@gringo3009]

Me 3!

[@stephen-thewanderer4007]

I cannot agree more, my bushcraft brother!

[@kee7678]

Me 4!

[@Maddawwg45]

i bougth a wetterlings and i use boiled linseed oil

[@tsjepe420]

and how about when you're in the wild and you don't have those products?

[@Hutzjohn]

Almost any big name gun oil will work. The reason is gun oil has no acid in it, non gun oil it's anyones guess if there is acid in its makeup. I personally like Slip2000.

[@seanb6986]

*produces large plastic container from thin air*

[@DanielA-nl9nv]

I use coconut oil for all three functions.

[@northwestolympics1630]

Use a punch to drive the wedge at most an 8th below the top handle. As the brits say, "no slipidge". 🤭

[@JLampard1]

For a second I could smell the linseed oil

[@Bozkurt-si9cz]

Jordan Lampard I love the smell of it. Smells very woody

[@andaplavnieks7639]

wold it halp a knive

[@Murrell84]

Look after ya broooom 😉

[@MrMrGAsMASK]

I use butch oil to keep my gear safe

[@daviedodds3050]

There's a rumour on the interweb that Ray's undercrackers have been known to spontaneously self combust after he's had too much beans at the campfire. Lol

[@Danishbushcrafter]

BOILED linseed oil.

[@silviqw]

Learn to listen properly, he says "in between outings".

[@LIVExTOxPUSHxIT]

#the art of manlyness

[@DaveyD4419]

Item #6454A

[@TheRunereaper]

boiled

[@tree3po]

5 people think this is a bad idea? dummies

[@tartredarrow]

If you punch a 2 holes in the sheath and string 20" of doubled over leather thong through it, you can tie the sheath onto your belt when it's off the axe. I make my own sheaths and rather than a rivet, I do this instead.

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

I prefer BACON grease... But gun oil works..

[@KevinDufflev]

martini carbine be careful!!you may find mice and other critters like the flavor of bacon.

[@KevinDufflev]

martini carbine haven't heard of it but just googled it sounds like a good do-all.gonna try to find some

[@KevinDufflev]

got some on order.tks for the info.

[@TheJerry834]

+KevinDufflev Mice? How bout bears?

[@JudahMaccabee_]

I find that WD40 works very well on my axe head

[@JudahMaccabee_]

steppenwolf He is taking care of a Gransfors Bruk. Considered by many to be one of the best made axes. I doubt yours is of better quality. Also, your macho approach of using your filthy hands and some olive oil is the reason why you're just an angry little fiend who thinks he knows better than Ray Mears. I stand by what I say. Yours won't last as long as his.

[@Beowulf_98]

@@JudahMaccabee_ oh shut up child.