Axe with ribs

K

KeithRobicheux

Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Messages
15
I have a 2-1/4 # axe head that I'm gonna haft. It has ribbed sides in the eye. I was thinking about grinding them out. Any thoughts?
 
What will be the demensions be if you grind them down on the inside? Are they tall? More contact surface for the haft is better.
 
The sides of the eye are thick and in good shape. The ribs are about a 1/16 to 3/32. I don't really like the idea of the ribs. I've never hafted and axe with ribs. I always go for the super tight fit with the wood wedge.
Does anyone think grinding out the ribs will weaken slash ruin the axe head?
 
I can't understand why you would do that! The ribs help make the fit even better. If you drive your wedge in nice and tight, the handle will form around the ribs and look great plus be more secure than a non-ribbed head.
 
DO NOT grind those 'ribs' out. They are the mark of high quality axe heads as they are difficult to forge in correctly. They add a good deal of friction to the head, and increase the handle's ability to hold the head over a long time.
 
I wasn't sure because I've never handled a ribbed head before. If the ribs really do work then I'll give em a whirl. Plus I didn't really want to do any grinding.

I was more afraid that the ribs would prevent a tight fit.

Thanks
 
they are a huge pain to haft, but worth it! it creates an exceptionally tight fit, take the extra time and haft it, rather than spend that time grinding it. I have a True Temper FSS double with ribs and while it took probably two hours to haft, it ain't never coming off.
 
Yeah, the ribs work great in my opinion. They are one of those rare features that are more than just a marketing ploy.
 
I always do. I've never had one crack because of that. I know some people cut little reliefs in the handle for the ribs. I find that as I take the head on and off to check fitment, the reliefs are made anyway.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'll try to remember to post some pics of the finished product, so that all may revel in my master craftsmanship.
 
triggahappy said:
they are a huge pain to haft, but worth it!
Click to expand...

Agreed.


M3mphis said:
I know some people cut little reliefs in the handle for the ribs. I find that as I take the head on and off to check fitment, the reliefs are made anyway.
Click to expand...

That would be me. I help the ribs cut their groove in the haft. I've found that un-kerfed hafts don't bind in the ribbed eye so badly as kerfed hafts. The kerfs act to spring load the wood in the eye. If you don't have an un-kerfed haft then it has been suggested to gently wedge the kerf during the fitting process, just enough to stop the spring loading.
 
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