Eucalyptus axe handle

O

oralia80

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Nov 6, 2014
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Axe guys out there.... I am wondering if anyone has experience with making large axe handles out of Eucalyptus? I am in California and Eucalyptus is abundant... Hickory is not.

It's really hard wood... But I'm wondering if it would hold up to regular use?

Thanks for ANY help or advice you can give me.
 
I've split a bunch to burn, it's freaky brittle... it likes to split. I kinda doubt that it would make a good handle, just setting the wedge in it would probably split it. Never know until you try, though, right?

Any custom cabinet shop ought to either have some hickory in stock or know where to get it.
 
Roadracer_Al said:
I've split a bunch to burn, it's freaky brittle... it likes to split. I kinda doubt that it would make a good handle, just setting the wedge in it would probably split it. Never know until you try, though, right?

Any custom cabinet shop ought to either have some hickory in stock or know where to get it.
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Thanks Roadracer_Al, really appreciate the information.
 
It's modulus of rupture is a little more than half that of hickory - so not a good choice.


Shagbark Hickory 139,000 kPa (20160 psi)
Eucalyptus (blue gum) 79,359 kPa (11,510 psi)
 
One day someone on here is gonna have at his disposal an original lathe/turner for classic curved axe handles. And will generously offer to run whatever wood is sent to him/her over it. It would be a truly enlightening experience to be able to haft a bunch of identical heads (gotta be able to get some version of these, by the dozen, from Mexico/India/China) with all different types of wood and get people's opinion (and their experience) with them.
I have long been a sucker for canvas-cover cedar-strip canoes of yore. "Chestnuts" from Fredericton NB especially. Lots of armchair and collector folks out there appreciate that there is visible craftsmanship and history behind any of the old woodies but physically being able to experience the unique flex of one when determinedly paddling (compared to that of a modern fiberglass/Royalex/aluminum/Kevlar factory boat) is not widely known.
I would really enjoy being able to compare an Ironwood haft, Ash, Hickory, Beech, Locust, Maple, Elm etc. when it comes to comfort and durability.
 
300Six said:
One day someone on here is gonna have at his disposal an original lathe/turner for classic curved axe handles. And will generously offer to run whatever wood is sent to him/her over it. It would be a truly enlightening experience to be able to haft a bunch of identical heads (gotta be able to get some version of these, by the dozen, from Mexico/India/China) with all different types of wood and get people's opinion (and their experience) with them.
I have long been a sucker for canvas-cover cedar-strip canoes of yore. "Chestnuts" from Fredericton NB especially. Lots of armchair and collector folks out there appreciate that there is visible craftsmanship and history behind any of the old woodies but physically being able to experience the unique flex of one when determinedly paddling (compared to that of a modern fiberglass/Royalex/aluminum/Kevlar factory boat) is not widely known.
I would really enjoy being able to compare an Ironwood haft, Ash, Hickory, Beech, Locust, Maple, Elm etc. when it comes to comfort and durability.
Click to expand...

I really doubt that Hickory is the best you can get, its just that it will make a very good handle and it is common and straight grained. Much better than Ash I think.
My pick would be Bodark. Much tougher than hickory and the handle could be very thin. Problem is it doesn't grow straight and it is not easy to work.

Locust has some good numbers if you look at the lab tests, but I only use it in applications where it does not flex(very stiff handles), fence posts.

The best woods for axe handles as well as bows are very flawed. They are either scarce, grow crooked and twisted, extremely hard to work with or all the above.
I am convinced that it is no accident; No, God has a sense of humor and he is laughing at me.:)
 
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