Woodchuck project

Spectre

Spectre

Joined
Nov 3, 1998
Messages
4,331
Would any of you woodchuck types like to help me with something? I recently purchased one of the bancharro small axes. The head is sturdy, and functional. The problem is the mount to the haft. The fit is quite loose, loose enough that I would be reluctant to perform a really strong swing inside, even without contacting a target.

I would like to replace the handle with a very strong piece of wood, of similar size, with an effective, strong mount. (I'm also wondering if I'll manage to find a way to bring the axe as a "tool", even if personal weapons are prohibited! :) ) The best "wood-like" material I have found is canvas micarta, but I don't really expect any of y'all to have ready access to it, or tools to work it. Would something like purple heart or ironwood be best? Looking nice is great, but more important is the ability to hold up when I'm swinging this ax HARD.

Of course, I'll pay for all materials, shipping, and whatever your time is worth. If a sheath or blade guard could be concocted, that would be even better. Whoever does this will have plenty of time, 'cause I wouldn't be able to get it back until after Basic Training.

Any takers? :D
 
My best effort in that direction would turn your ax head into a deadly missle (and without a guidance system:(). Handle materials available include a wide range of synthetics, and even some that can be "lifted" from other weapons - Newt Livesay has some batons/staffs that are a resin-impregnated material that is nearly indestructable, according to some who have used them (whacking posts, old tires, each other, etc.) If the right diameter can be found, a staff would give you enough for several handles.
On the not-too-bright side, don't put too much hope in being able to carry it with your gear. If you are allowed, keep one hand on it at all times. Good non-issue field gear has a strange habit of "walking off". Bro Yvsa is also a hawk nut (THV). Ask the man who's done one (or several).
 
W,

I'm not holding my breath on taking it with me...but, I can dream! :) I have used canvas micarta staffs and sticks to do wholesale damage to dead trees, with no real effect on the micarta (micarta is cloth loaded with resin, like what you mention). It is, however, VERY difficult to work with.
 
Personally, I have a real taste for ash. Hickory is commonly used for handle material, but I feel that ash is superior. Other possibilities would be maple, oak, or if you're feeling particularly eldritch, hawthorn.

Personally, I'd avoid ironwood for this application. Just a bad feeling about it, nothing specific.

The following is a statement of what should probably be obvious, but apparently is not always:

The wood must be aged, preferably at least a year. Six months seems to suffice, more or less. Green wood isn't tough enough, and it'll crack like mad if it dries too fast. I've made some embarassingly poor staves in the past, when I didn't know this. Leave the bark on, and if you're conscientious, paint the ends of your stave with spray paint so that the water must evapourate slowly through the bark.
 
John the best bet for an extra strong handle would be to find a piece of the Combat Grade Hickory Heart that Canemasters makes their combat canes from.
I would take it on for you, but as you know I haven't even been able to complete the Bowie model we all want.
However for a project like this and its ultimate use the guys who supply Cane Masters with their wood blanks may be able to be contacted for a piece of the special hickory.
I understand they're pretty easy to work with.

Quite frankly I was amazed to find out that this particular type of hickory is even stronger than Bois D'Arc which I thought would beat it hands down.
You can check out Canemasters website to see the difference in the strength of the woods at http://www.canemasters.com at least that's where I think I saw it.
Walosi may know as well since he's also a tripod like myself.:)
The combat grade hickory heart beat several woods that I would have supposed, and would have argued vehemetly for, was stronger than hickory.
Just wasn't aware of the hickory heart from old growth trees.:eek: :rolleyes: :D
 
Sorry Spec, my woodworking is mostly on the decorative side, I don't think I could do your banchero justice for real working. Rust, I gotta wonder where you came up with eldritch; H.P. Lovecraft fan perhaps?
 
There was an old thread on KF, in the Cane/Stick/Knife forum,which included a chart showing the impact/stress results of tests on various woods, published by one of the forest products associations consultants. It only confirmed what tool manufacturers have known for years, but it did quantify the differences. Hickory is king of the "tough" woods by a good margin, but the synthetics still hold a significant edge. Have you run through the American Tomahawk Forum? Prisco's new model looks like a sure winner, and, depending on the unit to which you are eventually assigned, his credibility among such units might be a giant step in being allowed to carry a hawk. AC's brother had no problem with this in his Air Assault unit several some 10 years ago, but as personnel change, so do attitudes toward boys and toys. Often, a team leader will be allowed some leeway, but not the other members of the team. A team has a certain amount of "must have" gear, that is spread among the members, and after a few days in the field an extra ounce is like an extra pound.

After muddling around on searches, digging through old notes, etc., Bob Kenny's Bolo keeps popping up as a better answer to actual field needs than any form of hawk or ax. A Sisco sheath, with an OD cover in heavy canvas, and seperate carry for the K & C, looks better and better.
 
They always have treated wood replacement handles for hammers, axes, etc. I am sure you will find something that works well and its, cheap and strong.

n2s

BTW, your handle seems to be Ok but loose. Perhaps you can tighten it up with a wedge (they are usually found with the handles at the HW store).
 
The first thing I'd do with any bancharo is rehandle it. The handles the kamis make for these are no good. I'm not sure why, either. Seems if you can make a good khukuri handle an handle for a bancharo should be a snap.
 
John,

I think that you won't have any problems carrying a personal weapon (at least of the edged type)... there were tons of them in the Gulf War. But as Wal said, personnel changes and such. You'll know a lot more once you get through basic... but I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Alan
 
A Marine Corpsman is taking a Gelbu Special along to Afghanistan but maybe corpsmen get special consideration. They deserve it!!!!
 
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