What's the purpose of the hole in some axe handles?

[trailmaker]

Are these for lanyards? I put a lanyard on my GB maul but it just felt weird and seemed like it might actually be more dangerous with the lanyard. Are these holes actually meant for something else?

 

[Edwood7]

They are made mostly to reduce the overall weight of the hatchet.

 

[Pipeman]

My guess is for hanging them on a nail.

R

 

[Edwood7]

Maybe Pipeman is right on this one. I really don know.

 

[Pipeman]

I put a lanyard on a norse hawk, Not a good idea. ;-((

R

 

[Edwood7]

I put a lanyard on a norse hawk, Not a good idea. ;-((

R

jajajaja.
Yea, I cut my knee learning the same lesson. Live and learn brother Robin.

 

[Ravaillac]

Yes, I think it is mostly for storing. Sometimes it is done most so the hardware stores can conveniently display them. Sometimes they have a hole because it is how raw handles come by (again mostly for storing). All in all it doesn't change much to functionality.

Again using a lanyard on an axe is generally a bad idea as if you drop it chances are it will swing back at you. Could be useful in situations where you don't want to loose your tool like over water or on mountain slope, but them it would probably wiser to use a longer lanyard tied near the head as generally seen on ice axes

 

[M3mphis]

My guess is for hanging them on a nail.

R

That's what I thought too. Any wood handled tool can eventually warp if it is stored with tension against it, like as in leaning it against a wall. Hanging them reduces the chances of warping.

 

[Operator1975]

Good question, never really thought about it. I think it would be primarly for storage/hanging.

 

[church&son]

It's the portal into a parallel dimension. I've been there..........Randy