Axe maul handles

Did this one break across the grain?

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Bob

Certainly grain runout contributed very much to this break. And once a handle starts to come apart (upper part of the break) while under sudden tension or torsion the remainder (lower part of the handle) can shatter in almost any direction, sort of like dropping a pane of glass. On top of that, I suspect that this was a 'kiln-dried' piece of wood, which is brittle when compared to 'air dried'.
 
That particular handle had some of the worst runout I've ever seen, and in ash no less.
 
cityofthesouth you're taking all this to heart! It's immensely useful to dissect and discuss the cause of wood failure.
I came across a "dead" 5 lb Mastercraft construction axe in a highway contractor's waste bin last week. The factory installed handle had broken so the tool was likely abandoned and then some time later discarded. It is painfully obvious that severe grain runout, virtually identical to that of the handle shot I post every now and again, contributed to this break. However when you inspect a side view of the same piece of wood you can also see the detrimental effect of weathering and shrinkage. This axe did not see light use (as evidenced by the poll mushrooming) and IMO it's quite impressive that the flawed grain hickory held up as long as it did.

You're absolutely right. And I realized far too late that I care far too little. Another good picture on your part, showing runtout and how the break follows the twist in the wood.
 
cityofthesouth you're taking all this to heart! It's immensely useful to dissect and discuss the cause of wood failure.
I came across a "dead" 5 lb Mastercraft construction axe in a highway contractor's waste bin last week. The factory installed handle had broken so the tool was likely abandoned and then some time later discarded. It is painfully obvious that severe grain runout, virtually identical to that of the handle shot I post every now and again, contributed to this break. However when you inspect a side view of the same piece of wood you can also see the detrimental effect of weathering and shrinkage. This axe did not see light use (as evidenced by the poll mushrooming) and IMO it's quite impressive that the flawed grain hickory held up as long as it did.

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I sawed off the handle cleanly right at the break in order to expose the end grain. There is some internal fungal action at work here (not a positive sign) and the grain is horizontal/diagonal. Spying the top view and side view of this particular piece of wood indicates there is considerable 'runout' in two planes. That the handle held up as long as it did was an absolute miracle and is a good plug for seeking out Hickory to make durable handles. Just don't leave these outdoors enough to attract fungal growth which begets rot which weakens the material.

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