Some nice old axe handles

rjdankert said:
Here is a refurbished axe posted on another venue. I mean no disrespect to the poster and I think he/she did a great job. And I am willing to change my mind (I'm just a hobbyist woodworker).

That said, I think this handle is an example of what to avoid in selecting a handle. The handle was said to be the top grade, hand selected by the manufacturer.

The composite picture below shows the end grain on each end. The picture of the top end was flipped to show a mirror image. That way you don't have to do the mental gymnastics to visualize the orientation change from one end to the other. The butt shot was said to illustrate the "perfect grain"of the handle. But looking at both ends there is a change, at least a twist in the handle grain orientation.




Next are views of each side of the handle. The picture of the right side of the handle (left picture) shows a beautiful grain pattern for something like a piece of furniture. But for a handle I think it is a poor choice (runout city).



Also, the light wood on the handle near the head (left photo) could just be sap wood, but looks punky to me. There is not enough resolution in the photo to magnify it for a better look. IIRC, punky spots on new handles has been reported before on this forum. I have had the experience of Hickory doing that faster than other wood types laying on the ground.


Bob
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I think to get the complete picture you need to see the shots down the spine and belly of the handle. That view you can literally follow the grain and see what is going on. That white spot is curious isn't it. I just did one with a bit of Heartwood layer on the highest elevation on the shoulder. Rightfully so, someone asked me if it was a knot. It sure looked like one in the picture. Pictures can be hard to tell.
 
garry3 said:
If it doesn't break it will probably warp. I suspect it may be heart wood, which I don't believe is as good as the sap. But I confess to picking an all heart wood handle up on occasion just because I can't resist some of the unusual colors.
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I occasionally haft a handle with the half Heartwood look. I always declare that it is not a good handle choice, but they look pretty.
 
It's funny, USFS tests have shown that hickory heartwood is just as strong as sapwood. What's most important is runout and growth rings per inch.

But given that it does seem like failure is more likely along the heartwood/sapwood line.
 
Square_peg said:
It's funny, USFS tests have shown that hickory heartwood is just as strong as sapwood. What's most important is runout and growth rings per inch.

But given that it does seem like failure is more likely along the heartwood/sapwood line.
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They had an agenda. That was to sell hickory. There is very little testing done that is not effected by bias.
 
Square_peg said:
Hickory is still better than black locust for an axe handle. Better modulus of elasticity and better modulus of rupture in dry wood.
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Kevin Houtzager said:
i can relate to the elasticity, but It's not to far off. As for rupturing: I've never seen it happen on my handles, but then again, i'll oil them regulary.
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I'll stand corrected on rupture. And it's actually very close between the 2 woods on elasticity. But look what happens when you get to maximum work load. See page 5 of the attached pdf. Locusts fall far short of hickories in this criteria.

www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/ch04.pdf
 
I've read other sources that say hickory is best at between 5 and 20 growth rings per inch and may peak at 12-15 gr/i. That's what I look for.
 
Kevin Houtzager said:
:thumbsup:and a warmer climate equals more strengt in General.
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Um? Northern cold weather Ash is the far better choice for handles and bats. Louisville Slugger bought up a couple of rather large northern Forrest because of that fact. I will go read the article to see if I am taking your comment out of context.

I probably am.
 
Square_peg said:
. . . But look what happens when you get to maximum work load. See page 5 of the attached pdf. Locusts fall far short of hickories in this criteria.

www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/ch04.pdf
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Don't want to go off on the moisture content (MC) tangent but thought this was interesting. Work to maximum load numbers decrease for three of the four True Hickories going from green to 12% MC while Black Locust increases.


Bob
 
Square_peg said:
Hickory is still better than black locust for an axe handle. Better modulus of elasticity and better modulus of rupture in dry wood.
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If I'm remembering right it sits between shagbark and bitternut hickories in both categories.
 
rjdankert said:
Don't want to go off on the moisture content (MC) tangent but thought this was interesting. Work to maximum load numbers decrease for three of the four True Hickories going from green to 12% MC while Black Locust increases.


Bob
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Some times moisture encreases the strength numbers in various kinds of material. Many times it is because the moisture has to be displaced during the test and how it fills air voids in what you are testing. It can be a miss leading number.
 
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