Octagon handles history thread

[John A. Larsen]

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Bob

Interesting photos! John

 

[Old Axeman]

Now those are some great photos and add a lot to this haft discussion ! THANKS Bob !

 

[Old Axeman]

I would like to say a little more about hickory sap wood vs. heart wood for axe handles. In the past it was brought up that the US Forest Service (my former employer) Forest Products Lab in Madison Wisconsin reported that hickory heart wood and hickory sap wood had very similar stats. When I was still working I used to talk with these science guys a lot. They are scientist and do not work with axes. There is a slight difference between a all sap wood and a all heart wood axe haft in axe use, the sap wood being superior. BUT, there is a big difference between a all sap wood haft or a all heart wood haft vs. a haft that is part sap wood and part heart wood. The haft can break along the joint between the sap and heart wood very easy.
A few years ago I sent a small piece of a mixed hickory sap and heart wood haft to square peg to show it starting to split on the joint between the mixed sap and heart wood.

 

[rjdankert]

https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fpltn/fpltn-171-1936.pdf

https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/usda/amwood/241hicko.pdf

Bob

 

[Square_peg]

A few years ago I sent a small piece of a mixed hickory sap and heart wood haft to square peg to show it starting to split on the joint between the mixed sap and heart wood.

I’ll repost that photo. I’ve seen the same thing.

 

[Square_peg]

Here's that haft Old Axeman sent me. You can see a split starting one growth ring into the red heartwood.

 

[trustman]

Nice info