Steambending a handle for an 1800s Broad Axe

Restoring an 1800s Broad Axe, and steam bending a handle.

[@brettbrown9814]

That project turned out very well and your preserving mixture made the handle look like it had been on for years. Very clear explanations!

[@kurts64]

Nice work on the axe, came out well! That handle treatment mix 👌

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks man!

[@Brian2bears]

Mr. Stuart...living history...very nice..I noticed your "stickered" boards in the shed. Very well done on the broad axe, well documented.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! The red oak on the right is fully seasoned! Our family needs a new dining room table, and I’m going to give building that a shot

[@tolbaszy8067]

I hew logs on the top surface, swinging the axe in a horizontal arc. I don't make v notches, but use the axe like a big chisel and score the log on that top surface by chopping down on the log at a slight angle with the bevel down. I then hew those raised chips with the bevel up. This method of hewing a beam does not require a curved handle, and I carve handles out of riven sections of an appropriate hardwood. You can also hew from either side of the log.

[@ethicalaxe]

That's a beautiful hewer. I really have to make some bent handles one day. My friend told me about using cardboard for steam bending. Thought that was very smart. This technique with boiling water is very simple and easy though.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Definitely the easiest method I’ve seen! How does the cardboard method work?

[@ethicalaxe]

@@urbanlumberjack you put a hole in a cardboard box and just steam it like a wood box. It's also very simple and cheap. Much easier than making a box out of something like plywood. I've also seen just putting tinfoil over a boiling pot and sticking the handle in.

[@bluegrassoutdoors]

Wow, great job! Very neat technique. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work my friend. This is a handy technique to know about.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Appreciate it! You too I subbed to your channel.

[@dimitarangelov5758]

Браво майсторе много добра работа научих много благодаря поздрави от България желая ти здраве

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you for the kind words and hello from Georgia, USA! Bulgaria makes excellent axes, very talented black smiths. Good health to you too!

[@axemanmike4390]

That was AMAZING! Whod've thunk it?! Where there's a WILL, there is a way! Thanks for sharing!! 👏👍👌

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you for watching and the encouragement! It's a joy to use. I have a fresh load of oak logs being delivered as I type this and am looking forward to hewing them into beams!

[@MattKeevil]

Great video, I am saving this for the day I eventually get to set up a hewing axe!

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks man! I hope this helps, lots of broad axes out there but most need new handles. Super easy to make one!

[@rakersdownnz]

Cool, that is a beautiful cheeked head, you got way more movement than I thought you would, and it held so well. Good to see you don't let Buggin goats put you off the task 🐐

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’m very happy to be able to use it! Those goats keep me on my toes for sure

[@rakersdownnz]

@@urbanlumberjack As do my wife's ducks 🙂 I bought my first broad axe head, hence looking up your content, which was top notch information, tnx much !

[@earthsciteach]

Much respect to the guys who swung those big hewing axes all day. Those are heavy!

[@urbanlumberjack]

They were real ones for sure. Amazing people

[@stuckmannen3876]

Could you do a video on that wood-perserving mixture?? :)

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’m still tinkering with it a bit! Hoping to put something out there soon though, im really happy with it

[@brettbrown9814]

I watched a KZbin video several years ago titled Broad Axe Hanging the AUSTRALIAN Way (ft. Steve Lehmann) which was re-posted on Zach Hevner channel. It seems to cover the other approach to wedging that you mentioned in your video. You might find it interesting.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That sounds great, thanks for the recommendation.

[@urbanlumberjack]

That sounds great, thanks for the recommendation.

[@vasilelaviniu1252]

Superrr ! The Best !

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you!

[@Wood_Slice]

Dont know much about these axe heads but based on symetrical design i would expect that the same head can be left or right just depending on which end you insert the handle

[@loganstephens4417]

I have one that I'm in the process of restoring and it's my first real resotation but it's an 1832. It looks almost the same as the one you have.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Awesome! Hope this helps. Really special to have something that old and still use it

[@kitrobbo1696]

Hi is the first time I’ve watched your KZbin channel and most impressed I have a broad X that I’m restoring at the moment and I am wondering what the length of the handle is cheers and thank you for a good show cheers kit looking forward to more

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thanks for checking out the video! The handle is 24 inches long. Good luck on your project!

[@margaretaltvater8765]

great info and video! How many inches did you make your handle? After hewing with it. was it a good fit or would you have preferred a little longer/shorter? thanks

[@urbanlumberjack]

Thank you! I’ll have to recheck on the length. Maybe 20 inches or so as I recall? It works well, I use it often. I could stand even more bend. Next one I do will be hung very open, as well as offset.

[@bentonleach6730]

How does this guy only have 850 subs.

[@urbanlumberjack]

I appreciate the kind words! I hope people find something useful on my channel, I’m learning a lot doing it and meeting cool people.

[@ryanb1314]

This process must work to straighten out aaa bent handle too eh? Have sone beautiful old handles that are bent to one degree or another

[@urbanlumberjack]

Those would be great to restore. This method works for straightening handles as well

[@หนิง..นะจ๊ะ]

อยากได้ครับ ขายไหมครับ

[@urbanlumberjack]

Keeping this for now! Would probably make one of somebody needed one made.

[@themountainraven]

i need to find me a set ( left/right).

[@urbanlumberjack]

I’ve been toying with the idea of making a few handles for people that need them, not sure if there is a market though