My new axe handle doesn't reach the inside front end of the eye -safe?

[scotchleaf]

My new axe handle doesn't reach the inside front end of the eye -safe? I can see daylight through the eye of an old axe I am re-handling, but I think I could get the head in there quite tightly. Should I wedge additional wood in front? Should I get another handle?

 

[halfaxe]

Get a wedge as long as the eye and drive it in. Try to keep the wedge from splitting but sometimes they split anyway. Try to fill all the space with wedge. It should be ok.

 

[bbforstr]

I usually drive some extra wood into any visible gaps in the eye. There's always some scrap hickory left over after you cut off the excess length. It's probably perfectly safe, although a completely full eye will probably stay tight longer.

 

[Square_peg]

It's the side-to-side wedging action that is most responsible for keeping an axe head on. A small gap in the end of the eye probably wont effect usage. If your concerned then shim it or pump it full of construction adhesive just before you set it.

 

[scotchleaf]

Thanks all!

 

[TEFL0N_D0N_81]

If the gap is small, no big deal. You can even put some gorilla glue in it for a confidence boost.