Does this axe handle look like it's going to shatter on me?

O

OutdoorEnvy

Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
308
Well it came up on another forum thread that small tight grain can be brittle and I think that is maybe what I'm dealing with on my Husqvarna axe. I've used it about half a dozen times or so and after each use it has more little cracks on it and the cracks are getting bigger each time. The cracks protrude enough that they are rough on your hands when swinging it. I have sanded them down and oiled it and resanded and the cracks keep growing and once again protrude from the handle. None of my other axes have done this so it's a first for me.

So my question to you all is this handle about to shatter at any time? I was planning to just keep using it to see what it would do, but if some of you have had cracks like this and handle is definitely on it's way to breaking at any time I'll just replace it now rather than have it break on me in the field.

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This crack started out about in inch and is ever growing the more I use it. There are currently two cracks about 6-8 inches long each in the middle of the handle and smaller cracks throughout and just below the shoulder a couple are starting

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There is a lot of little cracks at the base of the handle, more each time I use it

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What conditions are you storing your axe in?

I think they are related to humidity or something. stress shouldn't cause cracks on the grip end.
 
I've had a few handles that had that problem. It seems to me to be a problem inherent in the wood used to make the handle, not the conditions the axe is stored in. Mine were also perpendicular to the grain of the wood. I don't think it'll shatter on you but I believe the problem will only get worse. One of mine broke on me, so now I pay close attention to my handles when I buy them so I make sure I don't get that funky wood.
 
Interesting...

I would take it out and do some full power chopping, I mean really beat the sh*t out of it, to see if it's reliable or not. That may be unsafe, I don't know, but I do that when I have doubts about a handle. Don't pry on it when it gets stuck, that's not fair to any handle really.
 
You could always check the thickness of the handle and thin it down; its probably too thick anyway. Thin it down to 3/4" or something. See how deep the cracks run and make the handle more conducive towards use to boot.
 
I really went to town on it with this dead pine, the bigger cracks were definitely longer afterward and they stuck out a lot more when you ran your finger over them. That's kind of when I got to thinking it might be a ticking time bomb or something

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G-pig said:
You could always check the thickness of the handle and thin it down; its probably too thick anyway. Thin it down to 3/4" or something. See how deep the cracks run and make the handle more conducive towards use to boot.
Click to expand...

That might be worth a shot. One of the cracks you can see goes to the end of the handle and is about 3/8" deep at this point. Crossed about 4 or 5 grains pieces
 
can you show us a picture of the end grain at the bottom of the handle?
 
The checks make me think the wood wasn't aged or kiln dried properly ,seems to me the wood is shrinking away from itself. Others should know better than I, but thats my thought.
I get this from my own wood working and not letting a stick of lumber age properly (I can't kiln dry my own wood).
 
OutdoorEnvy said:
I really went to town on it with this dead pine, the bigger cracks were definitely longer afterward and they stuck out a lot more when you ran your finger over them. That's kind of when I got to thinking it might be a ticking time bomb or something

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Click to expand...

Whats with the red streak in the wood at the end of the handle? My guess would be an injured tree. Replaceing a handle is no big deal and that handle doesn't suit you all that well I will bet.
 
I don't know what's going on with your handle. It's certainly not normal, but wood is what it is. Some pieces do funny things. I would not like to use an axe (or any other tool) that I didn't have confidence in. As garry3 said "Replaceing a handle is no big deal ".
 
That would freak me out.
I've been around axes that have lost their heads in use and have skipped their way across the campsite, Boy Scouts was interesting.

Having a axe handle disintegrate like a balsa wood baseball bat would make an interesting Youtube video, but I would not want to be apart of that train wreck.

I'd just go ahead and replace the handle. There is something going on, and regardless of what it is it's not a good thing.
 
I think that there are some wood filling substances used to close such cracks and make the wood more durable. I have no idea how it is called in english.
 
I think if it were stress you would see "fractures" propagate from the edges and run in. yours appear to be approaching the edges or cropping up in the center face, some toward the ends and such. I would correlate such to sun exposure. If you havent left it laying out in the sun then obviously I am wrong. Left in the car counts as well.

I would quit the blo and such. Maybe give it a good dousing with naptha and follow up with CA. Or do nothing at all except wait and see.
 
OutdoorEnvy said:
So my question to you all is this handle about to shatter at any time? I was planning to just keep using it to see what it would do.....
Click to expand...

Yes, it's about to shatter at any time. If you're lucky when it shatters the crack open up just enough to let your flesh in and give you the blood blister from hell as it closes. If you're unlucky the head will go flying in a random direction. Please don't allow any loved ones to stand near while you continue testing this defective handle.

You got a bad piece of wood. Maybe a bad kiln dry or even harvested dead wood. Get rid of it now.
 
Thanks for the advice all. I think this handle has swung its last swing. Maybe I'll post the rehang thread after I find the right handle for it.
 
Interesting advise offered here. While I have no idea of whats happening to your handle, it does appear to be of questionable durability. You'll never know when it's going to give up on you. They always seem to happen when you need them the most.
Considering that a new helve is rather cheap vs an accident waiting to happen, I think you have made the right choice.

Tom
 
if you have any concerns get rid replace with something ya happy with
 
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