Making a broad axe haft

That´s the way I add my wedges inside the haft...

I hope you know, what I mean with that "crosscut" - one cut vertical and the other horicontal. Then add the three wooden wedges.

I've never seen it done that way - with the main wedge divided in two and the cross wedge running through the middle. I guess my only concern would be that the cross cut might weaken the haft. But if you've used one like this for several years then maybe it's not an issue.
 
I've never seen it done that way - with the main wedge divided in two and the cross wedge running through the middle. I guess my only concern would be that the cross cut might weaken the haft. But if you've used one like this for several years then maybe it's not an issue.

I used that way of fixing the haft already for a pretty long time. It works absolutelly great! I don´t think, that this crosscut is gonna weaken the haft. Sometimes an axe-haft breaks, for sure. But always in the middle of the haft, I think it has something to do with the grain of the wood. It never broke on the thick part, where the axehead sits.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Picking up where I left off on that old broad axe. The handle sat inside for the past 7 weeks. It's good and dry now and hopefully has stabilized its shape.

I spray painted the ends of the handle for the drying process. Sealing the ends helps the wood to dry more evenly along its entire length. This lessens cracking and checking. I got a slight bit of cracking on the ends but not so much that I couldn't trim it away.

The wood twisted slightly as it dried, maybe 2° or 3° from the eye end to the knob end. Garry Oak is known for doing this. Thankfully I had left enough material to straighten the twist out while I finished the shaping of the handle.

I began by working on the eye with a Surform planer.

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I held the haft up against the eye of the axe and just freehanded the initial curve of the eye of the haft.

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Here the eye is beginning to take shape. There is a deep sense of satisfaction as your axe starts slipping onto your hand made handle.

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Soon the eye was formed and I started to work on the rest of the handle. I still have some shaping and sanding to do but it looks like an axe handle now. I'll hold off wedging it until I'm satisfied with the finish of the haft.

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I let a little bit of the haft protrude through the eye of the axe. After I wedge it I'll trim it off about 1/4" long, following the shape of the axe.

I kept the bit covered with tape while fitting the handle as a safety precaution. The axe is razor sharp.

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There are a few tiny knots in the handle but they're nothing that will effect the usage of the tool.

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This small Douglas Fir will likely be it's first test.

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The curve of the haft may look extreme.

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But once you put your forehand on it you realize that you need to keep your hand that far away from the work or you will 'bark your knuckles' - not a good thing to do when swinging an 8 pound axe.

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oh man! that turned out very nice...

cant wait to see the finished piece...

thanks for the update and pics:)
 
You've done such a good job with this amigo. Thanks for taking the time to document it all.

Thank you too for the inspiration. I need to start on my third attempt at a handle for my Dad's plumb hatchet, after a minor mishap last night. But seeing you update has prevented me from becoming too dismaid by the project.

Much obliged

scruff
 
That is great work. I'll post a pic of my hand-made bearded hewing hatchet handle for contrast.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/77365440/bhah1.JPG

You guys who do fine finish work will notice that I'm not "hung up on that whole 'completion' thing".

The hardest part about learning to make axe handles for me was saying "enough is enough". None of my handles are perfect, and I looked at that as a problem that needed fixing. Now I don't really worry about perfect alignment, perfect grain, etc. I have handles with knots and mineral deposits. Doesn't bother me at all any more.
 
The hardest part about learning to make axe handles for me was saying "enough is enough". None of my handles are perfect, and I looked at that as a problem that needed fixing. Now I don't really worry about perfect alignment, perfect grain, etc. I have handles with knots and mineral deposits. Doesn't bother me at all any more.

Generously said and nice to hear-thanks.
 
I'll post a pic of my hand-made bearded hewing hatchet handle for contrast.

You've got a nice offset in that piece. And now I know from experience how much work that is. I have respect for anyone who can make a functional haft for an axe.
 
You've got a nice offset in that piece. And now I know from experience how much work that is. I have respect for anyone who can make a functional haft for an axe.

Thanks. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, and I don't really need consoling because I'm secretly pretty happy with the thing. It'll get some more sanding or scraping over time.
I was going to say I don't deserve any credit for the offset, but I did choose the right stick, turn it the right way, and cut it off at the right point. I'll take a little credit.
This is a bit of some American hornbeam (ironwood) I took down a couple years ago.
 
I finally wedged this thing today and I'm calling it done. I've enjoyed the challenge and I'm please with the result. It's not perfect but it will do. After hanging I gave it 2 coats of BLO mixed with mineral spirits for deeper penetration.

I stole a page out of Humppa's book and used a 3-piece wedge.

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I think the curve in the haft is just about right for me.

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I hope that I will soon take it to task.
 
Hey Pegs, that looks phenomenal!! Top notch work there.

Want to make one for me????! ;):p

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Green Maple will warp like hell if you leave it leaning. Once its dry its fairly stable. I bet you rig up a clamp and make a sweet double offset handle so it'd lay parralel to the plane of the cutting edge. I'm still trying to find a reasonably priced broad axe, I don't really need one so no rush for me.
 
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