I just use a flame to carefully burn off the varnish. This also dries the wood so it will absorb more boiled linseed oil, which I rub in with steel wool. Note that when the varnish was applied, it will have penetrated deeper into any exposed pores, so there is an extra reservoir of varnish in these areas that will burn longer (like a candle) and deeper into the wood if you let it. On ring-porous woods like ash, these pores correspond with the growth rings, so if you rub back the wood before oiling it, you can achieve a nice contrast between the charred pores and the naturally coloured wood, as the Japanese practice of Yakisugi does with cypress.
Cody, when I was in blacksmith/bladesmith school our instructors simply torched the handles to burn off the varnish. It worked in just a minute or less and the toasted handle actually had a nice raised grain finish that weathered in very well over time. Not sure what your opinion would be of having a handle blackened like these were but it worked very well and left a very usable handle. As a new student, with new tools I was not exactly in love with it at first but now it's my preferred method.
I just did an axe handle tonight, but I don't have a spoke shave. I improvised by taking about a foot of steel pallet banding and filing a chisel edge in the center of it. it worked really well as the flexible banding allows you to form it around the curves and peel a large area. only downer is it's really soft steel so I had to touch up the edge twice during the process.
I am so very glad that my fellow Texans made you feel right at home. I am so sorry that I didn't make it to see you but I am legally blind, so I needed someone to drive me... so if you could please, please, please give as much of an advanced notice as you can give or maybe a web site that we can go to that shows where you are going to be all year..( this will allow me to find someone willing to drive me there ). I know it would be a pain to do but I have wanted to meet you guys for over 5 years , it will happen someday... please remember to have a blessed day :)
I laughed when he said that the handles got sprayed sorry but that’s really labour intensive they all get dipped in a tank so it can be done many at one time
Thank you. I just bought two new axes, both 3.5lb Michigan Style axes by Garant which were available at Canadian Tire. I bought two of the only three Garant Axes that had heads stamped "India". All of the other Garant axes were stamped from China. The difference between the Chinese and the Indian axes, were noticeable from the distance of down the aisle upon approach. The Indian steel axes are vastly, vastly superior. I can't spend hundreds of dollars on an Axe, bought I got both of these for 150 dollars after tax. Nice hickory handles have excellent grain patterns on them, and will clean up nicely. Anyway, I can't believe that the next axes on the shelf by the same company, were the same price but a fraction of the quality. What a time to be alive.
The very best part of these videos is how obvious it is how much you love the entire process. You make us want to run right out to the garage and build a house with tools we've restored ourselves.
A properly sharpened card scraper is sharpened to a 90 degree angle then has a burr rolled over on the edge then is pulled at a 45 degree angle to the wood. This gives you the very fine removal of material like the knife method you use with the ability to bend the scraper to remove material evenly on inside and outside curves, by far the best, quickest and easiest way to remove the varnish if you choose to do so. They also do not generally come factory sharpened from the manufacturer.
Cody, these videos are your wheel house! As a long time subscriber, these are by far my favorite. Very enjoyable! Thank you for the time and effort you put into providing all of us with education and entertainment. It is truly appreciated.
I so enjoy your videos! I hope the grammar police will not cite me for the way in which I have phrased that, LOL. I really don’t care how anyone “cringes”. All kidding aside, I have watched many of your videos and I have been inspired by your passion and appreciation for detail. Also, I find your love for your family so refreshing. I am so happy for you Brother. My hope is that your awesome life continues for many years to come. To quote an old wise dude, “live long and prosper”.
never have i ever heard of someone recommending getting a good lamp but it makes so much sense. to be able to see your work in full is so important i think we take it for granted and work with crummy light just because and not think about it.
I only have a few woodworking tools and a very simple, fiberglass-handled axe, but I still appreciate all of the tips and tricks on this channel. Thanks for doing what you do; I hope you can keep going for as long as you have the desire!
Cody when I joined our fire department we hung all our own axes and other tools. We scraped the wooden handles with broken window glass and NEVER used sandpaper. Everything then got a very well rubbed in coat of linseed oil. Rubbed in by hand until it was HOT. We also scraped our wood extension ladders every five years or so, including the 40" ladder. That took a week or more.( I have always felt the flaming the handle with a torch to burn off all the little fibers leaves the best finished handle to oil.)
i can only speak for myself but i really don't care how long your video's are because they are always informative and plainly just a lot of fun.so keep on making your vids how YOU want! and i'm one subscriber who will always watch without complaints.so sir thank you for your time.
Hey wranglerstar, if you ever get the chance you should try sharpening with a harbor freight 1x30 belt sander. This is what I use and I can get razor sharp polished edges in minutes. I have belts that start down at 80 and I work my way up the grits all the way into 1200 and 3000 then I finish with a leather belt that fits on the belt sander with some green jewelers rouge on it. I've sharpened large axes down to small pocket knifes. The best part is they don't cost all that much either.
+Wranglerstar I found the video I don't know if they make high grit belts and leather belt for that larger 4" sander but if you were to try it with them it is the best thing I've ever done for sharpening things. Sand on one side of the edge until a burr forms across the whole section of the blade then do the other side until a burr forms on the other side and just keep working your way up through the grits doing this. Then follow with the leather belt with compound to get the mirror polish. You can do this same method with stones and in my opinion gets the sharpest edges it is all about getting the burr.
The only reason I jumped to the comments was the reference to the “electron microscope”. We use electron microscopes at work...this is NOT an electron microscope. This is a store bought student microscope, say from Target or Amazon.
I'm delighted and laughing that you posted this today. I just bought a new hatchet this morning and was thinking about the best way to get the varnish off. I think that the knife method will work nicely. Thanks!
If you don't mind a darkened handle, use a propane torch. It takes a little practice, to not let the handle surface get charred spots.. But this will lift off the varnish/polyurethane, toughen up the handle's surface, and prep it to soak up BLO faster than it otherwise might.
the way i took all the varnish and paint off my bacho was with a burner. i burnt it all off then sanded it back untill i had a nice contrast between the black and wood. then linseed oil. the paint on the head came off nicely with acetone. she looks amazing now. mine came with a very blunt edge. cuts nice and deep now though.
Cody I know you have to do a variety of videos to keep the channel fresh and different, but it is great to see a video like this again on the channel. Keep them coming.
I like to use a spackle knife (aka a spatula) with one side squared off on a bench stone. To prepare it for scraping you just set the side of the spatula 90° on the stone and grind until you get a slight burr on both sides. This burr will do the scraping - you can get all fancy and instead deburr first and then put on a new, finer burr with a burnishing steel for a slightly better finish, but I didn't find that neccessary for axe handles. This modification basically gives you a card scraper with a handle + you can still use it for its original purpose of spackling.
Cody I actually have a method for removing varnish that works really well. It's super cheap and VERY effective. All you do is break off a piece of flat glass so that it has a curve in it, and the perpendicular edge is very nice to scrape off varnish and wood as well. I use it all the time to work on wood handles. It makes very nice curls and works much better than that card scraper.
+Chemistry, Films, and More; I saw an old movie where the principal characters were jawing in the foreground, a scraggly looking craftsman was in the back drawing a piece of broken wine bottle over a spoke or some handle he was shaping. real shavings came from the work. I was impressed!
your videos are awesome. i have loved this channel for years. i am fixing to do just that, remove varnish from an axe handle. love the way you do things. when i first see the video and how long it is i go, o no (cause my time on the internet is so limited) but then when it starts the time goes by so fast. an awesome video as always. thanks for sharing (my go to guy for axes). its what brought me to this channel.
This is why I love your channel. I feel Like I am there! I have gotten hooked on Paul Sellers channel after to mentioned him a while again because he does things in a similar way. Can't wait until you all come to PA. My family and I really look forward to meeting you all. Thank You for sharing your Life with us. You have been a real Blessing!
Picked up my Karesuando Hatchet from Casstrom knives and what a quality product. Lovely curly birch handle and arrived sharp enough to cut, although it did cost £150.
Growing up here & there, sometimes I lived far into the woods, & other times living in a city, Now that I am out of city limits, Once again returning to basic's & I realize the beauty & necessity of having a good axe & or several. I have never really sat down & considered the beauty of a good axe however, lately, I am appreciating them more so!
I had a piece of drift wood that I had whittled down to the shape and length that I needed it for a aquarium center piece using a fixed blade that my uncle gave me years ago for my birthday it was the first time I really used it, I sharpened it up so nicely that all I had to do for the hours I was using it was strap it
I've never enjoyed the feel of my main hammer. It has a slightly larger than desired handle but a great shape. It also has a varnish on it which I never liked because of the reasons you stated, mostly slippery. A few of your videos have given me great ideas for how to come at the handle to fit my own hand. Thanks, sir!
If you are 'felling' trees or need to check angles the strap on the end of the ax is to hang from your thumb. When the ax head is hanging it gives you a vertical angle to index the tree from.
Bought a truper 2 1/2 pound camp axe on clearence for 12.99 tuned the edge with a mill file and diamond stone to about 1000 grit buts hair off my arms took some serious work though the edge was pretty hard suprisingly and the handle actually has a good grain orientation and is not warped either direction
Any advice for a first time handle replacement? Like you, I am a little taller and need some extra length on my Husqvarna Carpenters Axe. Thanks for the great videos! Hope you are enjoying the weather out in the cascades now.
You can also use the spine of a bushcraft type knife with a good sharp spine that works well or even if you have an old thin longer knife that can bend well that works really good too
I'm a custom picture framer who always has an abundance of scrap single strength glass. I use it often as a scraper with the 90 degree edge like your knife scrape...it can be cut curved or straight. Simple and cheap.
If you have a file brush, it works great for cleaning loaded sandpaper.You can easily use one piece of sandpaper for hours if you have a file brush on hand.
Excellent tutorial and an eye-opener to me to see a knife used as a scraper like this. I really like the way the wood fibres are cleanly severed rather than roughed up. The knife itself is stunning - I'd not come across Deering before. Looks like the Woodchuck model perhaps. Bone scales?
Just a couple of ideas that I thought of in the shower, after I watched this video... Have you considered polishing the axe head? What about bluing the axe head? Next, if Tung oil or Boiled Linseed oil is so good for the handle, have you considered soaking the handle in the tung or linseed oil? Or you could even soak the axe handle in the tung or linseed oil, while in a vacuum. That last step would get the oil very deep into the wood. It might be a bit of overkill for an axe, it might be a bit of work making the vacuum chamber rig, but it might look really good after it's all done.
I believe Hultafors makes the axes for Husqvarna and Ox Head makes the axes for Stihl. If the Council Tools did have a varnish it was so light and barely there that it didn't take me more than maybe 2 minutes with sand paper to remove. I've bought 4 Council Tools, a hammer, a pickaroon, a 36 straight felling axe, and a 32 inch jersey. The aluminum wedge in the hammer flew out along with the head 15 minutes in my first use of it pounding splitting wedges. The straight handle axe's head moved up and down. I drilled both the aluminum wedges out and replaced with wooden wedges and they now hold fine. The other two have still been rock solid with aluminum wedges. The steel on their axes is soft and loses a shaving edge very quickly. They are in the $25-$35 range though for their axes. Good beater axes for work crews, but pay $10-$20 more for a Helko and they as as good as any Hults, Wetterlings, or Gransfors, just not right out of box.
glad you all enjoyed Texas. my wife and I had a great time meeting and talking to you all. and America is taking about playing with Jack at the meet and greet.
Your videos are NOT too long. If you are familiar with the TED Talk program and the book Talk Like Ted, they have done a lot of research and found that the 18 minute range is ideal for a presentation of one subject. Thanks for doing what you do.
A really nice and simple mod is putting a heat shrink wrap on the handle. It’s cheap and all you need is a heat gun. The wraps I’ve used are meant for fishing rods so it’s grippy when wet. I recommend trying it out
Thanks for the tips on removing the varnish. I had learned to use a broken piece of glass to scrape the varnish off the same way. Compared to the knife it is MUCH slower depending on the size of the glass shard. That's the way that I had learned and broken glass can be found in most places, unfortunately, if you didn't have the right tools. Thanks again for the tips!
I thought I was the last person in The United States that knew what a card scraper was; not that I like them much. I was never very good at forming a edge bur. What I use now is glass. I cut scraps the same aprox size as a scraper. That gives you eight razor sharp edges. As you dull one, flip or turn to a new one. I get scraps from a local frame shop. My Snow & Nealley thanks you for the advice.
Agree with the boiled linseed oil. Makes it feel like an older, quality tool from years ago. I've removed the varnish/lacquer using a fine wire wheel on my low rpm grinder; works well, did NOT remove the wood (are at least very little), and was quick. Wear a respirator, though, and safety specks or a face shield.
Sand Paper is older then Cabinet Scrapers. The process for making sand paper was patented in 1834. The first Cabinet Scraper was patented in 1899. And sanding with paper (rubbing sand on an object with paper as a buffer between one's bare hand and the contact surface) has been done since Ancient Egypt. I don't think it's a matter of one obsoleting or upstaging the design of the other. A Cabinet scraper is a type of burnisher, and is for finer finish work. Cabinet Scrapers can do things that sand paper simply can't (without an unreasonable amount of effort). Such as folding over the high points of wood grain to produce a high gloss sheen without chemical treatment.
Before I begin this video I have to say thanks for making these videos. I grew up in northern Ontario and have always had a strong connection with nature, god, and I really appreciate what you mean about the subtle analog rhythm, and harmony, that comes with working by hand. My dad has been sick for the better part of my life; I am almost 30 now. I was 12 years old the last time we did stuff like this together and I sure miss those days. Now I spent most of my free time making stuff; working on a 72x2" belt grinder right now. Thanks for the inspiration and sharing what you have learned in life.
I have a new GB small forest axe, do I need to scrap off the finish and do all this to it also ? I know it is not varnished but it has some kind of coating applied , one being a wax, I was told. I'm wanting to use it, but waiting to get the handle finished first. Sincerely, vic
I don't know if this has been requested, but I purchased a cold steel trail boss. I stripped the varnish and coated with BLO. But I would like your opinion of the axe through some personal use.
I got two axes I need to "fix" rather than using linseed oil I am going to boil some alder bark and use that nice orange dye that you get from it. I was just wondering your thoughts on it.
First ..Beautiful work to Josh on his cover song on the last video and I hope to hear more. Also.. Those of us who really want to learn enjoy and appreciate the long detailed videos so as long as you enjoy making them .. please keep them coming and thank you.
Thanks Cody! Just received a few hatchets and an axe from my father in law.....going to restore them soon. Any suggestions of where I can find some decent hickory replacement handles?
You can make a really very good scraper for (almost) free from a utility knife blade as you say but it can be improved with a simple step, just turn the edge on a something hard and smooth like a screwdriver shank, this will create the burr you need for efficient scraping, works really well, takes no time at all and requires no sharpening time or skill. I also use single edge razor blades in the same way for very fine detail work.
hello wranglestar was wondering about the knife u used in this video what it is so i can search to find one and maybe were u got it or if u know were i can get one thanks love your videos i have found my self buying many the same things u teach us to use for my axe an such love using the edge pro stones they really feel good in hand sharping
Once upon a time, Alexander came upon the Gordian Knot. It was said that if a person could solve the problem, he would rule the world. He drew his sword and cut the knot while other people kept trying to untie it the old fashioned way. Ok. Here is a simple upgrade for the axe/hatchet/shovel/hoe/rake so that you don't have to deal with crummy handles. Wrap in an inexpensive black tape. Then overlay with a layer of tennis racket handle tape. No more blisters, hours of "love" working on handles, no move gloves in the dead of summer with sweaty hands. Yeah, everyone spends hours servicing tools. Try restoring a dried out handle! Not necessary. Just wrap in tape. Go enjoy the football game or walk with a friend.!!!
You know, I used live in ignorance with regard to axes. Now, thanks to the Wranglerstar virus, I now go to the axe isle in every store, look at axes online, bought the Husqvarna hand forged axe, and even rebuilt/polished/sharpened an axe I've had for forty years and there is no sign of any cure on the horizon. Hopefully this will run it's course and I'll be my healthy self again; but first I have about six more axes to buy.
Is a card scraper better than sandpaper? Because sandpaper doesn't follow the grain, creates open ending grains witch after some contact with what're would give a hairy effect on wood. Don't know if I explained it well enough, I hope you understand it. Great video!
Hi, I just wanted to ask whether you ever had the chance to handle a hultafors bruks axe. They are a direct competitor of Bransfors bruks and I just wanted to know which company you think is better. Thanks :)
The following will save you a great deal of time. Put aside the idea of treating the handle - and then having the maintain it, year after year. You are going to wrap two layers of tape around the handle. The first layer will be an inexpensive electrician's tape. The second layer is tennis racket tape. The two layers of tape approach also makes it unnecessary to wear gloves when handling the hatchet or axe. The tape layers also absorb some of the impact. I have done this treatment on my hatchets/axes/shovels/rakes/hoes/sledge hammers/gardening tools. Yeah, I used to find something else to do than to treat the tool handles year after year and they would dry out and get rough.
Once the varnish has been removed, and the knife method is my favorite one, can I apply linseed oil to make it more beautiful? Or the oil itself would make it slippery? Thanks!!!
Always add BLO it protects the wood from rotting, moisture, and it helps tighten the head in the long run. BLO will normally soak up into the wood, of a little bit gets a little sappy than you can just plow through it or scrape it off
hi, in Bavarian the old guys take at the and of making the handle the pieces of wood they scrapped of a, a micture of bigger and finer wood dust(the flakes) . they take it in the hand and rub it on the handle. so they get the smoothest surface possible. try it ;-)
In the old days all farmers in Norway would carry knives like that in their belt at all times, much for the same jobs you do. I like how you reinvented Norwegian tradition, because it's convenient :)
I'm thinking on getting a good quality hatchet of survival knife. I really can't afford both, but which do you recommend for an emergency situation. I found a Granfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet for around $150.00 and a Zombie Toold Vakra for $279.00 (it's a Kukri styled knife). A magazine tested the Vakra and loved it. UA-cam reviews applauded the Granfors Bruk. I have many knives but no hatchet. What are your thoughts? Thanks.
The MGTOW Whisperer go to the flea market and find a really old American-made Hatchet and the handle probably won't be in working condition and the head will need to be cleaned up but you'll get it for like $5 and you can hang a new handle on it in your going to have your best quality axe for $20
Awesome info, always a pleasure to watch/listen to your channel while i work my desk job, wishing i was doing something more hands on! My mother teaches art and always said 'stry-AY-shun'
Can we take a moment to appreciate that he's using a vise, to hold a vise, to hold a clap.
You mean clamp?
@@roberthamilton9245 unless he did some naughty things with that second vise
Bleddih yanks. It’s a vice*. Also, clamp.
@@dr.2335 chill
@@pivotalpigeon2914 .... nahh....
I just use a flame to carefully burn off the varnish. This also dries the wood so it will absorb more boiled linseed oil, which I rub in with steel wool. Note that when the varnish was applied, it will have penetrated deeper into any exposed pores, so there is an extra reservoir of varnish in these areas that will burn longer (like a candle) and deeper into the wood if you let it. On ring-porous woods like ash, these pores correspond with the growth rings, so if you rub back the wood before oiling it, you can achieve a nice contrast between the charred pores and the naturally coloured wood, as the Japanese practice of Yakisugi does with cypress.
well, ive replaced the head and the handle- and i have to agree it is a much better axe now
So you basically got a new axe
+lordmcted Jacked up the radiator cap, and put a new car under it ;-).
lordmcted haha just like Trigger's broom.
aay fools n horses :p
I cut mine 3 times and it's still short!
I like how at 0:56 there's a clamp holding a clamp holding a clamp!
And this, boys and girls, is how tools are made.
Best hair piece I've ever seen. The Science today is just life changing.
Cody, when I was in blacksmith/bladesmith school our instructors simply torched the handles to burn off the varnish. It worked in just a minute or less and the toasted handle actually had a nice raised grain finish that weathered in very well over time. Not sure what your opinion would be of having a handle blackened like these were but it worked very well and left a very usable handle. As a new student, with new tools I was not exactly in love with it at first but now it's my preferred method.
I just did an axe handle tonight, but I don't have a spoke shave. I improvised by taking about a foot of steel pallet banding and filing a chisel edge in the center of it. it worked really well as the flexible banding allows you to form it around the curves and peel a large area. only downer is it's really soft steel so I had to touch up the edge twice during the process.
I am so very glad that my fellow Texans made you feel right at home. I am so sorry that I didn't make it to see you but I am legally blind, so I needed someone to drive me... so if you could please, please, please give as much of an advanced notice as you can give or maybe a web site that we can go to that shows where you are going to be all year..( this will allow me to find someone willing to drive me there ). I know it would be a pain to do but I have wanted to meet you guys for over 5 years , it will happen someday... please remember to have a blessed day :)
So... where are the "5 Simple Upgrades" ?? Must have accidentally missed them ;o) I think the title should read : "How to un-varnish your axe".
Dutch Prepper I was waiting for that too. Darn rambling.
Dutch Prepper , unfortunately I have to agree with you on this one.
He totally blew chunks on this video.
More like 5 tools to strip the varnish
looked like he was selling tools...not upgrading his axe!
I laughed when he said that the handles got sprayed sorry but that’s really labour intensive they all get dipped in a tank so it can be done many at one time
Thank you. I just bought two new axes, both 3.5lb Michigan Style axes by Garant which were available at Canadian Tire. I bought two of the only three Garant Axes that had heads stamped "India". All of the other Garant axes were stamped from China. The difference between the Chinese and the Indian axes, were noticeable from the distance of down the aisle upon approach. The Indian steel axes are vastly, vastly superior. I can't spend hundreds of dollars on an Axe, bought I got both of these for 150 dollars after tax. Nice hickory handles have excellent grain patterns on them, and will clean up nicely. Anyway, I can't believe that the next axes on the shelf by the same company, were the same price but a fraction of the quality. What a time to be alive.
The very best part of these videos is how obvious it is how much you love the entire process. You make us want to run right out to the garage and build a house with tools we've restored ourselves.
A properly sharpened card scraper is sharpened to a 90 degree angle then has a burr rolled over on the edge then is pulled at a 45 degree angle to the wood. This gives you the very fine removal of material like the knife method you use with the ability to bend the scraper to remove material evenly on inside and outside curves, by far the best, quickest and easiest way to remove the varnish if you choose to do so. They also do not generally come factory sharpened from the manufacturer.
Cody, these videos are your wheel house! As a long time subscriber, these are by far my favorite. Very enjoyable! Thank you for the time and effort you put into providing all of us with education and entertainment. It is truly appreciated.
I so enjoy your videos! I hope the grammar police will not cite me for the way in which I have phrased that, LOL. I really don’t care how anyone “cringes”. All kidding aside, I have watched many of your videos and I have been inspired by your passion and appreciation for detail. Also, I find your love for your family so refreshing. I am so happy for you Brother. My hope is that your awesome life continues for many years to come. To quote an old wise dude, “live long and prosper”.
never have i ever heard of someone recommending getting a good lamp but it makes so much sense. to be able to see your work in full is so important i think we take it for granted and work with crummy light just because and not think about it.
I only have a few woodworking tools and a very simple, fiberglass-handled axe, but I still appreciate all of the tips and tricks on this channel. Thanks for doing what you do; I hope you can keep going for as long as you have the desire!
Cody when I joined our fire department we hung all our own axes and other tools. We scraped the wooden handles with broken window glass and NEVER used sandpaper. Everything then got a very well rubbed in coat of linseed oil. Rubbed in by hand until it was HOT. We also scraped our wood extension ladders every five years or so, including the 40" ladder. That took a week or more.( I have always felt the flaming the handle with a torch to burn off all the little fibers leaves the best finished handle to oil.)
Mrs. W is awesome, nothing better than seeing a woman out in the woods doing woods things with a big ole smile on her face. Shes a keeper, Mr. W! lol
i can only speak for myself but i really don't care how long your video's are because they are always informative and plainly just a lot of fun.so keep on making your vids how YOU want! and i'm one subscriber who will always watch without complaints.so sir thank you for your time.
About a year ago i purchased the Husqvarna 26in multi pourpse axe and i am indeed very happy. It is the perfect size for me. (I am 13)
if only if only, haha. my dad has an old true temper double bit
lets hope! i have been going to all the yard sames i my area
🖒thumbs up bud. Make sure you don't chop something your not supposed to. But have fun 🗣👈
I agree. I have seen all of your videos and the video of you and Mrs W taking down that big tree is by far my favorite.
Hey wranglerstar, if you ever get the chance you should try sharpening with a harbor freight 1x30 belt sander. This is what I use and I can get razor sharp polished edges in minutes. I have belts that start down at 80 and I work my way up the grits all the way into 1200 and 3000 then I finish with a leather belt that fits on the belt sander with some green jewelers rouge on it. I've sharpened large axes down to small pocket knifes. The best part is they don't cost all that much either.
+I have a video on this deweytastic
+Wranglerstar What's the name of the video?
+Wranglerstar I found the video I don't know if they make high grit belts and leather belt for that larger 4" sander but if you were to try it with them it is the best thing I've ever done for sharpening things. Sand on one side of the edge until a burr forms across the whole section of the blade then do the other side until a burr forms on the other side and just keep working your way up through the grits doing this. Then follow with the leather belt with compound to get the mirror polish. You can do this same method with stones and in my opinion gets the sharpest edges it is all about getting the burr.
Love your videos! wish I lived the way you do. I'm 22 years old so I'm learning off of you already.
"Electron microscope" love this humor, just flies over some people's heads XD
i liked the stranuations myself
I caught that too Raid. He couldn't afford an electron microscope in the first place.
The only reason I jumped to the comments was the reference to the “electron microscope”. We use electron microscopes at work...this is NOT an electron microscope. This is a store bought student microscope, say from Target or Amazon.
I felt like the guy that sold it to him told him it was an electron microscope
I have seen pictures from an electron microscope....lolNOT the same
I'm delighted and laughing that you posted this today. I just bought a new hatchet this morning and was thinking about the best way to get the varnish off. I think that the knife method will work nicely. Thanks!
I use a card scraper... mine, however, has a proper burr on it and it strips the varnish off very quickly and controllably!
If you don't mind a darkened handle, use a propane torch. It takes a little practice, to not let the handle surface get charred spots.. But this will lift off the varnish/polyurethane, toughen up the handle's surface, and prep it to soak up BLO faster than it otherwise might.
EgaoKage ya but that can be pretty rough on your hands even if you’re careful
Dunno if this has been mentioned before, but varnish also helps preserve the wood when it's being sent overseas.
Cody a method that was shown to me years ago by a cabinet maker/furniture restorer is a piece of glass, he used that method for removing lacquer
the way i took all the varnish and paint off my bacho was with a burner. i burnt it all off then sanded it back untill i had a nice contrast between the black and wood. then linseed oil. the paint on the head came off nicely with acetone. she looks amazing now. mine came with a very blunt edge. cuts nice and deep now though.
Cody I know you have to do a variety of videos to keep the channel fresh and different, but it is great to see a video like this again on the channel. Keep them coming.
I like the way you produced this video. It had a very calming/soothing effect in addition to being informative. Happy that you all are home.
I like to use a spackle knife (aka a spatula) with one side squared off on a bench stone.
To prepare it for scraping you just set the side of the spatula 90° on the stone and grind until you get a slight burr on both sides. This burr will do the scraping - you can get all fancy and instead deburr first and then put on a new, finer burr with a burnishing steel for a slightly better finish, but I didn't find that neccessary for axe handles.
This modification basically gives you a card scraper with a handle + you can still use it for its original purpose of spackling.
I'm glad you had a great time in Texas. I lived there for over 20 yrs and I will always keep a place in my heart for the Lone Star state
Cody I actually have a method for removing varnish that works really well. It's super cheap and VERY effective. All you do is break off a piece of flat glass so that it has a curve in it, and the perpendicular edge is very nice to scrape off varnish and wood as well. I use it all the time to work on wood handles. It makes very nice curls and works much better than that card scraper.
+Chemistry, Films, and More; I saw an old movie where the principal characters were jawing in the foreground, a scraggly looking craftsman was in the back drawing a piece of broken wine bottle over a spoke or some handle he was shaping. real shavings came from the work. I was impressed!
+grodad Yeah it's not a joke! It really works and it's my go to method.
mine too. right on. :) (no sanding either)
your videos are awesome. i have loved this channel for years. i am fixing to do just that, remove varnish from an axe handle. love the way you do things. when i first see the video and how long it is i go, o no (cause my time on the internet is so limited) but then when it starts the time goes by so fast. an awesome video as always. thanks for sharing (my go to guy for axes). its what brought me to this channel.
This is why I love your channel. I feel Like I am there! I have gotten hooked on Paul Sellers channel after to mentioned him a while again because he does things in a similar way.
Can't wait until you all come to PA. My family and I really look forward to meeting you all. Thank You for sharing your Life with us. You have been a real Blessing!
+paemt6220 Thank you. See you there!
Picked up my Karesuando Hatchet from Casstrom knives and what a quality product.
Lovely curly birch handle and arrived sharp enough to cut, although it did cost £150.
Growing up here & there, sometimes I lived far into the woods, & other times living in a city, Now that I am out of city limits, Once again returning to basic's & I realize the beauty & necessity of having a good axe & or several. I have never really sat down & considered the beauty of a good axe however, lately, I am appreciating them more so!
I had a piece of drift wood that I had whittled down to the shape and length that I needed it for a aquarium center piece using a fixed blade that my uncle gave me years ago for my birthday it was the first time I really used it, I sharpened it up so nicely that all I had to do for the hours I was using it was strap it
I'm confused, the title says 5 upgrades but i only saw 1.
thedr00 15:40
I've never enjoyed the feel of my main hammer. It has a slightly larger than desired handle but a great shape. It also has a varnish on it which I never liked because of the reasons you stated, mostly slippery. A few of your videos have given me great ideas for how to come at the handle to fit my own hand. Thanks, sir!
If you are 'felling' trees or need to check angles the strap on the end of the ax is to hang from your thumb. When the ax head is hanging it gives you a vertical angle to index the tree from.
I have been using the fine side of an old horseshoe rasp to take varnish off of my handles and I really like the finish it leaves.
Bought a truper 2 1/2 pound camp axe on clearence for 12.99 tuned the edge with a mill file and diamond stone to about 1000 grit buts hair off my arms took some serious work though the edge was pretty hard suprisingly and the handle actually has a good grain orientation and is not warped either direction
Any advice for a first time handle replacement? Like you, I am a little taller and need some extra length on my Husqvarna Carpenters Axe. Thanks for the great videos! Hope you are enjoying the weather out in the cascades now.
You can also use the spine of a bushcraft type knife with a good sharp spine that works well or even if you have an old thin longer knife that can bend well that works really good too
I got a marbles camp axe and boy was it sharp out of the box . used it on two outdoor trips and it hold a great edge
I'm a custom picture framer who always has an abundance of scrap single strength glass. I use it often as a scraper with the 90 degree edge like your knife scrape...it can be cut curved or straight. Simple and cheap.
I got a couple of gränsfors bruks axes here and they all came with a varnished handle with boiled linseed oil apperantly
If you have a file brush, it works great for cleaning loaded sandpaper.You can easily use one piece of sandpaper for hours if you have a file brush on hand.
Excellent tutorial and an eye-opener to me to see a knife used as a scraper like this. I really like the way the wood fibres are cleanly severed rather than roughed up. The knife itself is stunning - I'd not come across Deering before. Looks like the Woodchuck model perhaps. Bone scales?
Just a couple of ideas that I thought of in the shower, after I watched this video... Have you considered polishing the axe head? What about bluing the axe head? Next, if Tung oil or Boiled Linseed oil is so good for the handle, have you considered soaking the handle in the tung or linseed oil? Or you could even soak the axe handle in the tung or linseed oil, while in a vacuum. That last step would get the oil very deep into the wood. It might be a bit of overkill for an axe, it might be a bit of work making the vacuum chamber rig, but it might look really good after it's all done.
I believe Hultafors makes the axes for Husqvarna and Ox Head makes the axes for Stihl. If the Council Tools did have a varnish it was so light and barely there that it didn't take me more than maybe 2 minutes with sand paper to remove. I've bought 4 Council Tools, a hammer, a pickaroon, a 36 straight felling axe, and a 32 inch jersey. The aluminum wedge in the hammer flew out along with the head 15 minutes in my first use of it pounding splitting wedges. The straight handle axe's head moved up and down. I drilled both the aluminum wedges out and replaced with wooden wedges and they now hold fine. The other two have still been rock solid with aluminum wedges. The steel on their axes is soft and loses a shaving edge very quickly. They are in the $25-$35 range though for their axes. Good beater axes for work crews, but pay $10-$20 more for a Helko and they as as good as any Hults, Wetterlings, or Gransfors, just not right out of box.
glad you all enjoyed Texas.
my wife and I had a great time meeting and talking to you all.
and America is taking about playing with Jack at the meet and greet.
I use a piece of glass to un-varnish handles. I just break a bottle in my recycling bin and use that bit. It works like a charm.
Your videos are NOT too long. If you are familiar with the TED Talk program and the book Talk Like Ted, they have done a lot of research and found that the 18 minute range is ideal for a presentation of one subject. Thanks for doing what you do.
+Tim Flynn Thanks Tim
A really nice and simple mod is putting a heat shrink wrap on the handle. It’s cheap and all you need is a heat gun. The wraps I’ve used are meant for fishing rods so it’s grippy when wet. I recommend trying it out
The Card Scrapper is the best tool for the job, it just needs a proper bur set on it, probably a video on youtube to show you how. Great video thanks.
Thanks for the tips on removing the varnish. I had learned to use a broken piece of glass to scrape the varnish off the same way. Compared to the knife it is MUCH slower depending on the size of the glass shard. That's the way that I had learned and broken glass can be found in most places, unfortunately, if you didn't have the right tools. Thanks again for the tips!
PH Forestry
love the way you get the varnish off with the knife! although you dull you knife a bit. keep em coming!
I thought I was the last person in The United States that knew what a card scraper was; not that I like them much. I was never very good at forming a edge bur. What I use now is glass. I cut scraps the same aprox size as a scraper. That gives you eight razor sharp edges. As you dull one, flip or turn to a new one. I get scraps from a local frame shop. My Snow & Nealley thanks you for the advice.
Agree with the boiled linseed oil. Makes it feel like an older, quality tool from years ago. I've removed the varnish/lacquer using a fine wire wheel on my low rpm grinder; works well, did NOT remove the wood (are at least very little), and was quick. Wear a respirator, though, and safety specks or a face shield.
Sand Paper is older then Cabinet Scrapers. The process for making sand paper was patented in 1834. The first Cabinet Scraper was patented in 1899. And sanding with paper (rubbing sand on an object with paper as a buffer between one's bare hand and the contact surface) has been done since Ancient Egypt.
I don't think it's a matter of one obsoleting or upstaging the design of the other. A Cabinet scraper is a type of burnisher, and is for finer finish work. Cabinet Scrapers can do things that sand paper simply can't (without an unreasonable amount of effort). Such as folding over the high points of wood grain to produce a high gloss sheen without chemical treatment.
Try boiled linseed oil and turpentine.
Also I've used penotral for fiberglass ladders and shovel handles left out all winter in southern Oregon
Hi ! could you review the Moraknil Swedish camping axe? many thanks and congrats for the great job
Before I begin this video I have to say thanks for making these videos. I grew up in northern Ontario and have always had a strong connection with nature, god, and I really appreciate what you mean about the subtle analog rhythm, and harmony, that comes with working by hand.
My dad has been sick for the better part of my life; I am almost 30 now. I was 12 years old the last time we did stuff like this together and I sure miss those days. Now I spent most of my free time making stuff; working on a 72x2" belt grinder right now.
Thanks for the inspiration and sharing what you have learned in life.
I have a new GB small forest axe, do I need to scrap off the finish and do all this to it also ?
I know it is not varnished but it has some kind of coating applied , one being a wax, I was told.
I'm wanting to use it, but waiting to get the handle finished first.
Sincerely,
vic
I don't know if this has been requested, but I purchased a cold steel trail boss. I stripped the varnish and coated with BLO. But I would like your opinion of the axe through some personal use.
I got two axes I need to "fix" rather than using linseed oil I am going to boil some alder bark and use that nice orange dye that you get from it. I was just wondering your thoughts on it.
First ..Beautiful work to Josh on his cover song on the last video and I hope to hear more. Also.. Those of us who really want to learn enjoy and appreciate the long detailed videos so as long as you enjoy making them .. please keep them coming and thank you.
Thanks Cody! Just received a few hatchets and an axe from my father in law.....going to restore them soon. Any suggestions of where I can find some decent hickory replacement handles?
I don't mind your long videos, could watch axe stuff all day long. Love them, thanks.
You can make a really very good scraper for (almost) free from a utility knife blade as you say but it can be improved with a simple step, just turn the edge on a something hard and smooth like a screwdriver shank, this will create the burr you need for efficient scraping, works really well, takes no time at all and requires no sharpening time or skill. I also use single edge razor blades in the same way for very fine detail work.
hello wranglestar was wondering about the knife u used in this video what it is so i can search to find one and maybe were u got it or if u know were i can get one thanks love your videos i have found my self buying many the same things u teach us to use for my axe an such love using the edge pro stones they really feel good in hand sharping
Once upon a time, Alexander came upon the Gordian Knot. It was said that if a person could solve the problem, he would rule the world. He drew his sword and cut the knot while other people kept trying to untie it the old fashioned way. Ok. Here is a simple upgrade for the axe/hatchet/shovel/hoe/rake so that you don't have to deal with crummy handles. Wrap in an inexpensive black tape. Then overlay with a layer of tennis racket handle tape. No more blisters, hours of "love" working on handles, no move gloves in the dead of summer with sweaty hands. Yeah, everyone spends hours servicing tools. Try restoring a dried out handle! Not necessary. Just wrap in tape. Go enjoy the football game or walk with a friend.!!!
Very good work for someone who uses axes for ornamental purposes and not for working.
so nice to see someone sharing what they love!! God bless!!
7:40 what brand of knife is that? Jw because it looks like a good one and I like fat handles on knives like that.
You know, I used live in ignorance with regard to axes. Now, thanks to the Wranglerstar virus, I now go to the axe isle in every store, look at axes online, bought the Husqvarna hand forged axe, and even rebuilt/polished/sharpened an axe I've had for forty years and there is no sign of any cure on the horizon. Hopefully this will run it's course and I'll be my healthy self again; but first I have about six more axes to buy.
I use a old 12" stainless steel rule with a sharp 90 degree edge on it to scrape the handles clean, works a treat.
Is a card scraper better than sandpaper? Because sandpaper doesn't follow the grain, creates open ending grains witch after some contact with what're would give a hairy effect on wood. Don't know if I explained it well enough, I hope you understand it. Great video!
I use scotch bright pads with soapy water to remove varnish from handles . It's just another option that seems to work alright .
Hi, I just wanted to ask whether you ever had the chance to handle a hultafors bruks axe. They are a direct competitor of Bransfors bruks and I just wanted to know which company you think is better. Thanks :)
The following will save you a great deal of time. Put aside the idea of treating the handle - and then having the maintain it, year after year. You are going to wrap two layers of tape around the handle. The first layer will be an inexpensive electrician's tape. The second layer is tennis racket tape.
The two layers of tape approach also makes it unnecessary to wear gloves when handling the hatchet or axe. The tape layers also absorb some of the impact.
I have done this treatment on my hatchets/axes/shovels/rakes/hoes/sledge hammers/gardening tools. Yeah, I used to find something else to do than to treat the tool handles year after year and they would dry out and get rough.
Instead of mechanical means to remove the varnish, would it not be possible to use a volatile solvent such as nitro cellulose/lacquer thinner?
I like the forged in fire grading system, 1 is it comfortable to grip, 2 is it durable, and 3 is it sharp enough to kill?
There is something very satisfying about finishing wood.
wow. you have hit your stride with these videos. A joy to watch and a lovely meditation.
Once the varnish has been removed, and the knife method is my favorite one, can I apply linseed oil to make it more beautiful? Or the oil itself would make it slippery? Thanks!!!
Always add BLO it protects the wood from rotting, moisture, and it helps tighten the head in the long run. BLO will normally soak up into the wood, of a little bit gets a little sappy than you can just plow through it or scrape it off
Hey Mr. Wrangler...could you leave a link for that bushcraft knife you were using?
GCO40 Gray50shdsofRED the buck bushcraft
If I were to replace the handle which would you recommend ; ash or hickory? Is there a better wood in your opinion?
Tennessee hickory is best, but any hickory should work. Ash is too hard and is best for bows rather than axes
hi, in Bavarian the old guys take at the and of making the handle the pieces of wood they scrapped of a, a micture of bigger and finer wood dust(the flakes) . they take it in the hand and rub it on the handle. so they get the smoothest surface possible. try it ;-)
What is the white knife at 7:35? Could you give a link to the price or just name it pls
Good video. Nice to see various methods. Thanks
A piece of broken glass works well too actually as it is a very fine edge , of course care must be taken while using it
In the old days all farmers in Norway would carry knives like that in their belt at all times, much for the same jobs you do. I like how you reinvented Norwegian tradition, because it's convenient :)
I'm thinking on getting a good quality hatchet of survival knife. I really can't afford both, but which do you recommend for an emergency situation. I found a Granfors Bruks Wildlife hatchet for around $150.00 and a Zombie Toold Vakra for $279.00 (it's a Kukri styled knife). A magazine tested the Vakra and loved it. UA-cam reviews applauded the Granfors Bruk. I have many knives but no hatchet. What are your thoughts? Thanks.
The MGTOW Whisperer go to the flea market and find a really old American-made Hatchet and the handle probably won't be in working condition and the head will need to be cleaned up but you'll get it for like $5 and you can hang a new handle on it in your going to have your best quality axe for $20
I just love ur tutorials on repair and retore tools.
Awesome info, always a pleasure to watch/listen to your channel while i work my desk job, wishing i was doing something more hands on! My mother teaches art and always said 'stry-AY-shun'