A Few Basic Axe Questions

[aermotor]

Thanks for all the info I've learned in just a short while, I have a few basic questions that are still unknown to me.

1) Soaking axe handle in linseed oil — So you submerge the entire thing for about how long, 4+ few days? In a tube seems easiest. Then let dry for how long, a week-ish?

2) If you're going to stain the handle, is that before or after linseed oil?

3) Once the head is set and in place, soak again in linseed oil? — Just making sure that's a way to do it; submerge the head and a tiny bit on the handle so it soaks in through it? I also read about freezing the handle and heating the head; seems like a good idea. Anything else to this?

4) Axe paint — Like the red fire fighter axes, what type of super heavy duty paint is used on the heads or something similar that would work.Same thing for the handles, will any old paint do? Should you then coat the handle portion after painting with something to protect it?

I'm sure I will have more as I keep learning and progress, but these are the few basics ones from the start I need to know. Surprisingly, Google searches have turned up very little info having to do with axes for me and these questions.

Thanks!

 

[1066vik]

stain, then oil.
use boiled linseed (it's thinner, soaks in better, and cures quicker than raw), tung oil, or Danish oil.
put linseed oil on in thin coats and allow a couple days between coats or it will get gummy.
I've never painted an axe head - I either blue them or brown them (birchwood casey is good stuff) - but I would go with a spray epoxy paint if I wanted wear resistance. (I've also heard that you can bake krylon at 250 and it gest HARD but I've never tried it myself -- buddy of mine calls it "poor man's duracoat")