live oak haft

[300Six]

splitting live oak is not an option-- splitting either live or dead live oak to make clean, straight staves is damned near impossible. the grain wanders side to side in very, very tight patterns. even trying with a very sharp froe would be extremely difficult and would likely tax your froe. definitely cut it!

This then readily explains why Live Oak is not commercially viable for the making of axe handles. There are many other tough and durable sources of tool handle material out there (my own favourite is Ironwood) but when generating straight grain and knot free pieces entirely becomes a labour of love then there is no money to be made. Keep looking; somewhere within that log is a 'true' piece and only through splitting off staves can/will you ever hope to find it.