Cleaning up an ax, got a question

[frontiersman]

I used the heck outta my ax today but noticed a problem. My wood handle has pine sap all over it. My question is how do I get the sap off without damaging the wood? I usually just clean it with a damp cloth and hit it with some BLO. Just don't want to ruin the handle.

 

[JayGoliath]

Sounds like the axe was conditioned with pine sap before?
If it was conditioned frequently it will take time.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/Removing-Tree-Sap-from-Just-About-Anything.html

Old world conditioned their handles with lards. I only use tung oil + beeswax on mine.

 

[Square_peg]

Scrape it. Then re-oil the handle. Or use a solvent. Paint thinner, denatured alcohol or acetone should do the trick.

 

[frontiersman]

Gotcha, thanks

 

[300Six]

Rub your baby down with good old turpentine (which is traditional and works like a charm) or else get hold of some Varsol or paint thinner. If through some fluke you're an old Cat and happen to have a can of Ronson fluid (for Zippo lighters) on hand it also works wonderful for removing pine sap.