Metal wedge

[the5farrs]

I hung my first axe head tonight. I installed the wood wedge, should I also add the metal wedge. I will post some pictures tomorrow. Thanks

Matt

 

[mtangent]

It is possible to hang an axe well enough that it doesn't need a secondary wedge, but I have never managed it. I always put a wedge in crosswise to the primary wedge.
Pics are a good idea.

 

[Square_peg]

I almost never use a metal wedge anymore. If you leave the handle 1/4" proud and wedge it tightly you should be OK. You can add a little Swel_Lock (sold generically as dipropylene glycol) to the wedge before insertion for added insurance.

 

[jefroman]

I prefer to go without metal wedges. I've found them to be largely unnecessary, and occasionally detrimental. They can end up unfavorably splitting the handle/wedge wood at which point you've lost some of your hard work at fitting and correctly applying the wooden wedge. That said, I've also seen some axes hung securely with metal wedge included.