opinions on putting a steel pipe as a handle

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Romeo Sellspear

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Jul 1, 2019
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I have used several mauls where the owner has replaced the handle with a steel pipe. I'm just wondering if a steel pipe is better then a hickory handle. And if an axe could like wise have the handle replaced with steel piping.
 
Romeo Sellspear said:
I have used several mauls where the owner has replaced the handle with a steel pipe. I'm just wondering if a steel pipe is better then a hickory handle. And if an axe could like wise have the handle replaced with steel piping.
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Yes it could be done. But better? NO! It would render the tool pretty painful to use. Horrible vibration compared to a wood haft. Not to mention the weight and center of balance being screwed up especially with an axe. The maul being heavier it wouldn't be AS noticeable but it would make a regular axe unwieldy to say the least.
 
Also, you would need to use a fairly thick (and heavier) pipe to avoid bending, and it may eventually anyway. Also, a true pain to replace. Stick with good hickory and strike true. An easy fix if it ever breaks.

You could get a Monster Maul, but they are expensive. Also, I don't know how well they work compared to a traditional maul and I would think that they are too heavy for prolonged use.

Your best bet is a good maul (properly beveled) on a good handle, a couple of splitting wedges and a 4lb hand sledge. But a good old regular axe will take care of most of the straight grained wood and allow you to work longer before fatiguing.
 
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Romeo Sellspear said:
I have used several mauls where the owner has replaced the handle with a steel pipe. I'm just wondering if a steel pipe is better then a hickory handle. And if an axe could like wise have the handle replaced with steel piping.
Click to expand...
No!
Nothing is better than a good piece of hickory.

Hell it even makes Bacon taste better, and that's quite an accomplishment right there.

Now speaking seriously, a steel pipe won't feel good vibration wise and that round shape is just asking the handle to roll in your hand allowing the head to deflect too much during use.
There's a reason handles on swinging and striking tools aren't generally round.
 
Romeo Sellspear said:
I have used several mauls where the owner has replaced the handle with a steel pipe. I'm just wondering if a steel pipe is better then a hickory handle. And if an axe could like wise have the handle replaced with steel piping.
Click to expand...
I never used a axe with any sort of steel handle. But in my personal opinion I think hickory is best.
 
definitely do not do it!! I split wood with a metal handled monster maul for a couple/few years in my early twenties, but once my frontal lobe finally fully developed around age 25 I realized that I was an idiot and never picked it up again. here are the reasons
1. Shock - big time
2. The handle WILL eventually bend - and then the blade doesn't hit the wood square, killing your efficiency (even more)
3. Totally unable to index the head because the handle is round - this may actually be the biggest negative. I can't tell you how many million times I put all my strength into a swing just to have the side of the head smack the top of the round of wood - and THAT is some SERIOUS shock!!!!

Wood handles on tools are definitely always best.

additionally, the monster maul definitely did not split wood any better than a regular 8lb maul - and actually probably worse - and much harder on your body. I guess I just needed to feel like I was doing something extra manly or something - again, the frontal lobe issue.
 
I taught high school shop for 30 years and the only way I could keep a usable sledge or maul was to weld a pipe handle on them. Very uncomfortable but was usable for students that could break an anvil with a feather. Would never do this for personal use.
 
Well yes, if you're not trained not to make overstrikes you will trash a lot of wood handles. But that is easily remedied by stopping with the overstrikes. Just don't do it.
 
FLINT77 said:
definitely do not do it!! I split wood with a metal handled monster maul for a couple/few years in my early twenties, but once my frontal lobe finally fully developed around age 25 I realized that I was an idiot and never picked it up again. here are the reasons
1. Shock - big time
2. The handle WILL eventually bend - and then the blade doesn't hit the wood square, killing your efficiency (even more)
3. Totally unable to index the head because the handle is round - this may actually be the biggest negative. I can't tell you how many million times I put all my strength into a swing just to have the side of the head smack the top of the round of wood - and THAT is some SERIOUS shock!!!!

Wood handles on tools are definitely always best.

additionally, the monster maul definitely did not split wood any better than a regular 8lb maul - and actually probably worse - and much harder on your body. I guess I just needed to feel like I was doing something extra manly or something - again, the frontal lobe issue.
Click to expand...

Thanks, you confirmed all of my suspicions about that monstrous tool. :D
 
I have on and it just sits until an 8lb sledge won't move something. It is a bit more persuasive as a hammer than a maul.
 
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