Is this guard long enough?

[jayjaygee]

Just got a cheap 18" axe and I made a little whipped overstrike guard with it from tarred bank line. I'm wondering if it's long enough or if I should make it extend down farther. I feel like the shape of the axe head will make overstrikes unlikely but I don't know anything about axes, and I'm sure I'm going to use it wrong before I use it right so if I need more protection, please let me know before I hurt the handle.

 

[Blue Sky]

Overstrikes are when the axe head comes down on or past the far side of the round. That’s you, not the head. Happens to most everyone eventually. If you’ve got 3 - 3-1/2 inches covered you should be good imo. Aim for near side.

 

[flexo]