Challenging hafting project finished

First, that looks pretty wild – great work!

Assuming that the head is completely fitted and in line with the handle, you could decide how much of the tongue you want showing above the eye and mark it 1/8th” or so above that.

Cut the extra off and clean it up with a file around the edges of the tongue to keep it from splitting/chipping during seating the wedge.


With the tongue sized down some, draw a line dead center, and cut the kerf. 2/3 the depth of the eye is a good bet.



I haven’t worked with Orange Osage but I can see how beautiful it is. I tend to use a wood that is softer than my handle material for wedges but I don’t have strong convictions towards it exclusively.
Right before hanging is a great time to sharpen a head while you can still get it in a vise.

That really is pretty neat what you are doing there Osage Outlaw - thank you for the ride along!
 
Osage is very hard wood. Just about anything I use for the wedge should be softer. I might look for something besides the walnut. It's got some nice figure to it and I was saving it for knife scales. I have some red oak, poplar, and some other mystery boards. I'll find something that will work. Thanks for the tips and advice. I won't be able to work on it again until Thursday or Friday. I should be able to get it finished up in a day.
 
osage outlaw said:
I need some help with the proper way to mount the head. Do I just cut a slot in it with a hand saw? What type of wedge should I use? I have some walnut that would contrast well with the osage. How thick should I cut the wedge, 1/4? Should I use wood glue on the wedge when I drive it in?
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Yes, cut the kerf with a handsaw. I like to use a thin pull saw. A hacksaw will do just as well. If you want a wider kerf or it the kerf pinches you can double up hacksaw blades to make it wider.

There are debates about what type of wedge should be used, soft wood or hard wood. Softwood can better shape itself to the eye and any abnormalities in the haft. With such a tight fit like you've done you don't need to worry about that. I'd pick a hardwood that is softer than hickory. Walnut would be fine.

I think it's important that the growth rings in your wedge run the short way across the kerf. A quarter inch wedge should be sufficient with that tight hang. I wouldn't use glue because you won't be able to tighten or remove your wedge later on. I prefer Swel-lock or DPG as a wedge coating. I put it on both the wedge and kerf.
 
I did some finish shaping and smoothed it out. It's ready for sanding. I cut the tongue down, rounded it over a little, and made a center cut 2/3 of the length. I cut a wedge from a piece of walnut. Does everything look OK so far? I'll start sanding it after lunch and check back in before I go any farther with it. I don't want to screw it up.









 
Sanded to 600 grit and burnished with paper towels. I think I'm going to use low gloss tung oil for a finish. Should I put the finish on before mounting the head or after?

 
I use a wood block and rubber mallet. Lots of lighter taps works better than a hard swing.
I oil the handle after I hang the head.
 
I drove the wedge in as far as I could. I gave it a few more wacks and it broke off flush. The head feels solid. I hope it holds. I'll post some finished pictures when I'm done putting the tung oil on it.

 
I like to finish the handle and sharpen the axe beofre bringing the two finished pieces together. It's just easier that way. I love what you've done with this. Just totally awesome. Full marks!
 


That looks like a shapely gal.

I’d choke up on this. :thumbup:

Awesome concept to finish Osage.
 
Really beautiful, innovative craftsmanship. It was fun to follow the creation.

So how does it handle? It looks like your hand would be in line with the head when it strikes, so I'd guess all is good.
 
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