Innocent question - does it make sense to fire harden an axe handle? If so, how?

[Diomedes Industries]

Check out this axe that I refinished:

Original handle. Sanded off green paint with 100 grit - shaped and sanded back to clean wood and then sanded down to 600 grit.

Then check out this one:

Brand new hickory handle - sanded back to 600 grit.

See the difference?

I wonder if the top one wasn't fire hardened before it got a head hung on it.

What do you think?

If so - is it worth trying to recreate for the second axe?

If so - how does one go about this process?


Thanks for everything,

TF

 

[JayGoliath]

It certainly adds character to it, especially the worn in look.

Much like hardening a steel, balance is the key.

Another approach i've heard about fire harden a fibrous matter would be the on the kamagong stick:

Traditional escrima fighting sticks goes through a tedious process of fire hardening. A genuine hand-burned fighting stick is a fine impact weapon to own.

http://www.fmapulse.com/content/fma-corner-stick-primary-fma-weapon

 

[M3mphis]

I've used a torch to scorch handles before just for the look. When it comes to fire hardening, I have no idea. However, I don't really think the handle in the top pic has been scorched. From the pic, it looks like its just a beautiful piece of wood with some curly or wavy grain to it?

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I wondered that too Memphis. Thanks for the opinions.

TF