Making An Axe Handle From A Log

Sometime last year, I think it was, I watched a video by a very talented craftsman by the name of Niklas Karlsson from Sweden. In the video he broke his Axe handle and I remember thinking at the time a replacement handle would make a good project. It wasn't until recently that I needed to make one for one of my old Dad's Axe heads that I found at the bottom of a pile. I do not have a problem with using seasoned or green wood, if I use green, then I wait for it to dry and then assemble it, this piece happens to be seasoned and not a particulaly good piece at that. Only one of the quarters were straight grained and the growth rings are about 5 to 8 per inch which is OK for Ash grain orientation is parallel to the head but it doesn't have to be.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• ax
• axe
• handle
• ash
• traditional
• mastercrafts
• yxskaf

[shane013088]

this is really cool to watch. seems like this kind of thing is a dying art here in america.

[bygonetoni]

@shane013088

Probably not as much as you think, there is a revival on. It is difficult to go to a show anywhere throughout the year and not see some sort of bygone country skill being demonstrated. Thanks for commenting.

[Mollywood54]

Thankyou very much Toni,

I appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your priceless knowledge.

[bygonetoni]

@Mollywood54

Thank you very much for your comment.

[Guitardude1616]

i am making a new axe handle for an art project with the theme of tradition and how things used to be done. you dont how much you have helped me and how much i enjoy your videos

[bygonetoni]

@Guitardude1616

Thanks for your comment and good luck

[blackbearbushcraft]

good song and GREAT video!

[bygonetoni]

@Mollywood54

There is no advantage using it in this way. As you are probably aware, the tool is usually use in conjunction with a cleaving break on a piece of wood this length, to control the split. In this case I knew the wood was straight grained enough to push it through. I could of hammered it as you say but I wanted to show a different approach.

[Mollywood54]

Hi toni,

Love your videos.

Can you tell me why, when riving the log, you try to force the froe down the log to split it rather than hammer it all the way down with the mallet? Does hammering it affect the way it splits?

[shikamaru15x]

beautiful!