The wood used for axe handles comes in a variety of types, depending on the maker or user’s preference. Some of the most common types of wood used for axe handles include hickory, ash, and maple. Hickory is a very strong wood that works well for axe handles because it is both shock and temperature resistant.
It is a popular choice for many axe makers. Ash is also a strong wood that is known for its durability and flexibility. It is a light weight yet strong hardwood that makes it a great candidate for axe handles.
Maple is also a popular choice because of its straight grain and strength. It is also a shock resistant hardwood that can keep an axe handle in prime condition. When selecting the right wood for an axe handle, it is important to consider the weight and balance of the wood so that it will not be too heavy or too light for the user.
What type of hickory is used for handles?
The type of hickory most commonly used for handles is called ‘Shagbark Hickory’ (Carya ovata). This species of hickory is not only strong and dense, making it well-suited for handle applications, but it is also relatively inexpensive compared to other hardwoods.
In addition, this type of hickory has straight, even grain, making it ideal for turning and shaping into the desired handle shape. The wood is also exceptionally durable and resistant to shock, making it a great choice for anything that requires strength and stability.
Shagbark hickory is some of the most commonly used woods for handles, such as hammers, hatchets, and other tools, because of its affordable price, strength, and shock resistance.
Does hickory make a good axe handle?
Yes, hickory is an ideal material for axe handles because it is both very strong and fairly lightweight. Hickory wood is renowned for its strength, density, and resistance to shock – all important qualities for axe handles which are tasked with holding up to regular vigorous use.
Hickory also exhibits good flexibility and elasticity, meaning that it is capable of some give, which helps to disperse the shock of impact and reduces the likelihood of the handle splitting or breaking during use.
Hickory is also relatively lightweight, allowing an axe handle of a comfortable length to be made without making it overly cumbersome or tiring to use.
How thick should an axe handle be?
The thickness of an axe handle will vary depending on the size of the axe. Generally, most axe handles should be between 0.7 inches and 1 inch in diameter. Additionally, it is important to take into account the type of axe you are using and its intended purpose when picking the size of the handle.
For smaller axes, such as hatchets or carving axes, a thinner handle may work better, while a thicker handle will work better for larger, heavier axes such as a splitting axe or forest axe. Ultimately, the handle should feel comfortable in your hands, without being too thick or too thin.
How do you finish a hickory axe handle?
Finishing a hickory axe handle involves several steps and requires plenty of time and patience. Start by sanding down the handle until it is smooth and free of any splinters or dents. To ensure that your handle looks as good as can be, you can use different grade sandpapers starting from a coarse grain to a fine grain.
After that, make sure to apply a coat of boiled linseed oil on the hickory handle. This will help protect it from moisture. Then, seal the handle with a quality linseed oil finish. This should protect the handle from any damage and enhance the natural color of the hickory.
Once finished, buff the handle with a wax-free cloth. And to give it a professional finish, use a polishing compound or furniture wax. Following these steps should ensure that your hickory axe handle looks great and is ready for use.
What size handle for boys axe?
The size of a handle for a boys axe will depend on the height and size of the user. Generally, handles for boys axes are from 18 inches to 22 inches long. For a younger boy, an 18 inch handle might be better for ease of use and a 22 inch handle may be more suitable for a taller youth.
It is helpful to allow the user to test out the axe before purchasing to make sure that the handle is the correct size and is comfortable for them to use. While some axe handles can easily be modified, it is advisable to buy the right size for the user to ensure the safest and most efficient use of the tool.
Why are axe blades curved?
Axe blades are curved for multiple reasons. First, it helps the axe head act like a lever when it strikes the wood, using the curvature of the blade to help it cut deeper. Curved blades also help make them more ergonomic, making it easier to hold and maneuver the tool.
Furthermore, the curving of the axe makes it easier to split wood in a steady rhythm, making the job of chopping or splitting wood faster and easier. Finally, the curved blade is safer because it does not stick out as much as a straight blade, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.
Overall, the axe blade’s curvature is designed to provide maximum safety, accuracy, and efficiency when using the tool.
Is ash or hickory better for axe handle?
It depends on preference, but ash and hickory are both great materials for axe handles. Ash is known for its lightweight properties and flexibility, while hickory is known for its strength and durability.
Both are popular axe handles and can provide many years of reliable service with good care. Hickory handles will usually last longer, but ash handles may be more comfortable to grip. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Is hickory good for tool handles?
Yes, hickory is a great material for tool handles. Hickory is a dense, strong, and durable hardwood, making it an excellent choice for tool handles. It is resistant to shock and wear, which helps ensure that your tools will last a long time without the handle wearing down or breaking easily.
Hickory is also lightweight and has good elasticity, so it won’t be too heavy in your hand, yet also won’t break under pressure. It is comfortable to use and can be sanded down for a smooth finish. Hickory handles are also relatively inexpensive, so you can get the best of both worlds – durability and affordability.
Which is stronger ash or hickory?
Both ash and hickory are considered strong woods and are suitable for a variety of applications, such as furniture and tool handles. Many people aren’t sure, however, which of the two is actually the stronger of the two.
In general, hickory is considered to be the stronger of the two woods. It has a rating of 1820 on the Janka Hardness Scale, while ash only has a rating of 1320. Hardness ratings measure the amount of force required to insert a steel ball into the wood and indicate how dense and hard the wood is.
As seen, hickory is almost 50% harder than ash.
As far as flexibility and elasticity goes, ash is known to be more flexible, while hickory has more shock absorption properties. This means that while hickory is less likely to break, it is more likely to dent, while ash is more likely to break but less likely to dent.
Therefore, hickory is considered to be the stronger of the two woods. It is much harder and can withstand more force, but it is less flexible than ash. Depending on your project, one wood may be more suitable than the other.
What is the hardest wood?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the species of wood and its individual characteristics, such as density and strength. Generally speaking, however, the hardest wood can be found in the Dalbergia genus, also known as rosewoods.
Amongst the rosewoods, the hardest species is usually considered to be Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia Nigra). It is extremely dense, hard and valuable and is often used for musical instruments and other high-end furniture.
Other hard species within the Dalbergia genus include Bolivian Rosewood (Dalbergia Strictiflora), Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia Latifolia), and African Ebony (Dalbergia Melanoxylon).
Other hardwoods like Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum Sanctum or Guaiacum Officinale) and Ironwood (Odaxylon Salickianum) can be good contenders for the collection of hardest woods. Lignum Vitae is one of the densest woods in the world and is very hard and oily making it particularly difficult to work with.
Ironwood, on the other hand, is not as hard as some of the rosewoods, but it is incredibly dense and heavy, making it a durable and strong wood. Both of these are often used in applications such as shipbuilding and musical instruments.
How can you tell ash from hickory?
Ash and hickory can be quite similar in appearance, so it can be difficult to tell them apart. However, there are some physical and chemical differences which can help you to distinguish them.
Visually, ash can have a more “open” grain pattern than hickory, and the annual growth rings will be wider and more widely spaced. The sapwood of hickory tends to be white in color, while ash can vary from a light to a white-gray.
The heartwood of ash is typically light brown in color whereas hickory is more of a tan-brown.
Chemically, hickory wood is denser than ash wood. Ash wood tends to produce relatively higher amounts of charcoal when burned in an open fire. Ash varieties produce a bright white flame and burn quickly.
Shortly after the flame dies, the ashes will cool off quickly. Hickory wood produces a slightly yellow flame and generally generates more heat, with the resulting ashes having a higher temperature.
In conclusion, although there is some overlap in the physical and chemical characteristics, you can differentiate ash from hickory by looking at their grain patterns, sapwood and heartwood colors and burning characteristics.
What wood makes good knife handles?
When it comes to choosing a good wood for a knife handle, a variety of hardwoods can be used, depending on the purpose and style of the knife. Woods that are highly recommended for knife handles include walnut, ebony, cherry, teak, mahogany, rosewood, newel, birdseye maple, oak, and hornbeam.
Each type of wood offers its own distinct characteristics that can have a significant impact on the weight, balance, and durability of the knife.
Walnut is one of the most popular woods used for knife handles due to its strong, dense, and tight-grained qualities. It is also a highly durable wood that is resistant to cracking and is available in a variety of beautiful stains.
Ebony, on the other hand, has a very dark color, almost black in its natural state, and is hard and impervious to water. It is often used in high-end knives, due to its luxurious appearance.
Cherry and teak are two of the most popular woods used in the construction of custom knives, due to their natural oils that make them highly durable and water-resistant. Mahogany is a slightly less dense wood, but offers a beautiful light color with fine grain.
Rosewood tends to be red to brown in color and is renowned for its fantastic, intricate grain pattern.
Newel, birdseye maple, oak, and hornbeam are also all excellent choices for making a knife handle, each offering unique benefits. Newel is a medium-density wood and is known for its long fibres which are perfect for craftsmanship.
Birdseye maple adds subtle beauty to the knife handle and is renowned for its strong and supple qualities. Oak and hornbeam are two of the hardest woods around, lending strength and durability to the knife’s handle.
Can you make an axe handle out of maple?
Yes, you can make an axe handle out of maple. Maple is an ideal material for axe handles due to its strength, reliability, and natural shock absorption, which can reduce fatigue when using the axe. It is also slightly lighter than most hardwood options, making it easier to lift and swing with the axe if needed.
When selecting the type of maple to use for the handle, it is important to select one that is both strong and has the right density for the job. Hard maples are generally considered the best choice for axe handles as they have higher shock absorption properties and more uniform grain patterns.
However, soft maples can also be used for axe handles if necessary. When choosing the wood for the handle, it is also important to select pieces that have not been treated with any chemicals and are relatively straight with no knots or splits.
Once you have the wood for the handle, it must then be shaped and finished appropriately. Depending on the shape and size of the axe handle, additional materials such as dowels and screws may be required to ensure the handle is secure.
Finally, the handle should be coated in a protective sealant or oil and then buffed to complete the project.
Should axe heads be painted?
The decision to paint an axe head is largely a matter of preference. Some people prefer to keep the natural look of the material that it’s made from, while others may prefer to paint it, either to protect the material or for aesthetic reasons.
If you are looking for a way to protect your axe head and prevent it from corroding when exposed to moisture, then painting is recommended. This is especially important if you live in a very wet or humid location.
Specialty paints are available for the task, and will form a protective coat over the metal that can help to protect it from rust and other corrosion. The type of paint used will depend on the material of the axe head, so it is wise to research what type of paint is best for your axe head.
On the other hand, if you are simply looking to add some extra personal flair to your axe, then painting it is also an option. Many people opt to paint the axe handle, but you can also choose to go all out and paint the entire head of the axe in whatever colour or design you please.
Painting can also help the axe to stand out in a collection or display, and the options are only limited by the imagination.
The choice of whether or not to paint an axe head is yours, and ultimately comes down to personal preference.