Great video, fancy seeing you here. Nice to see you’re on board with HB, I can really see your axe expertise benefitting the company... not that they really need it, but regardless, it seems like the perfect match. Thanks for the info y’all, looking forward to future vids.
Awesome video, thank you! I have just gotten into customizing axes within the last year and have only been using BLO. I'm now going to give some of these other options a try!
Great video. We follow you on Instagram and really enjoy your axe science. I've always enjoyed tung and danish oil, but the pine tar looks pretty compelling. I'll have to give that a go after seeings it's effects here.
Nice video , next time somebody asks what to put on their handle i'll post this video in the comments :) i just use raw linseed oil as blo is hard to come by in france and expensive. Takes time to cure though.
Thanks, Lane! These are great ideas. I bought my son a Bjork Splitting Axe to use when we split wood. We like our Bjork very much and used BLO on it already. Can we switch to something like Pine Tar to give it a different look, or should we stick with BTO?
You can switch and put pine tar on top of BLO. It's stickier, and takes a while to dry, but when it does, it's just such a classic look and the dirtier it gets, the SWEETER it looks (IMHO) Skal! 👍
There is a big difference though in the breaking of heartwood vs sapwood, sap wood breaks less easily than heartwood since the increased amount of fibers keep it together if cracked.
@@samhansen9771 i never said anything about strength lol nice try. I said the way they break, which everyone who actually uses axes knows is very different. Sap wood breaks apart less easily than hart wood, thats a fact. Both work but theres a difference.
@@samhansen9771 its fairly straightforward tbh, sapwood is the more sinewy part of the tree so it has more fibers in it to prevent snapping and help it flex a little more. Hartwood is a bit more dry and older so its lighter at the cost of snapping apart more easily since theres not much sinew to hang onto. Sap wood will break and weighs more but at least it has flex and difficulty separating.
@@lordmark4966 I assume you meant sapwood weighs less, not more. Also, as far as I can see, you just described strength. How is it being harder to break different from being stronger? It sounds like you are conflating a low modulus of elasticity with a high modulus of rupture.
For oiling axe handles, I use boiled linseed oil diluted about 50:50 with mineral spirits and add a small amount of Terebene driers which really speeds up the polymerization or 'hardening' process. I think that the thinner the mix is, the deeper you can get it down into the wood. I mop it on repeatedly for a few minutes, then leave it soak in for 1/2 to 1 hour, then I scrub off all excess lying on the surface with a dry cloth and then apply another coat.... wait... dry off, .and repeat until it will take no more oil. Then I leave it a day or two before giving it couple more applications to 'top it up' The aim is to get all the wood pores filled with hardened oil, but without allowing any surface skin whatsoever to build up....ie. all the finish in the wood but none on it !
There IS a difference in strength from heartwood vs second growth. Science proves this. I cannot continue to watch your videos after hearing this because I can no longer trust what you are saying.
By far the commonest reason for handle breakage has nothing to do with heartwood or sapwood, but is down to the skill of the man using the axe
Gawd bless ya chil'e, ya doin the Lawds work 🤌
I use BLO and transmission oil. Adds a nice reddish color. Old trick we used to finish teac on boats.
Great video, nothing but good info on what I’m interested in: axe handle finishes.
Great video, fancy seeing you here. Nice to see you’re on board with HB, I can really see your axe expertise benefitting the company... not that they really need it, but regardless, it seems like the perfect match. Thanks for the info y’all, looking forward to future vids.
Awesome video, thank you! I have just gotten into customizing axes within the last year and have only been using BLO. I'm now going to give some of these other options a try!
Great video. We follow you on Instagram and really enjoy your axe science. I've always enjoyed tung and danish oil, but the pine tar looks pretty compelling. I'll have to give that a go after seeings it's effects here.
Fantastic video-thank you very much!
Nice video , next time somebody asks what to put on their handle i'll post this video in the comments :) i just use raw linseed oil as blo is hard to come by in france and expensive. Takes time to cure though.
All are welcome to explore Axe Science with us over in Axe Arenas 🔬🌳⚒
Guess I should have watched the video more in Depth!! Thanks for the great video
Thanks for sharing!
What do you recommend for a fire axe on a tug boat that is constantly exposed to sunlight and salt spray?
Thanks, Lane! These are great ideas. I bought my son a Bjork Splitting Axe to use when we split wood. We like our Bjork very much and used BLO on it already. Can we switch to something like Pine Tar to give it a different look, or should we stick with BTO?
You can switch and put pine tar on top of BLO. It's stickier, and takes a while to dry, but when it does, it's just such a classic look and the dirtier it gets, the SWEETER it looks (IMHO) Skal! 👍
Thanks!
I'm looking for the axe wound channel...
Can I stain and then apply BLO ?
Can you mix Danish oil and blo before you apply?
Great video, thanks!
There is a big difference though in the breaking of heartwood vs sapwood, sap wood breaks less easily than heartwood since the increased amount of fibers keep it together if cracked.
USFS tests have found no difference between the strength of heartwood and sapwood
@@samhansen9771 i never said anything about strength lol nice try. I said the way they break, which everyone who actually uses axes knows is very different. Sap wood breaks apart less easily than hart wood, thats a fact. Both work but theres a difference.
@@lordmark4966 ok, then please educate me on the difference
@@samhansen9771 its fairly straightforward tbh, sapwood is the more sinewy part of the tree so it has more fibers in it to prevent snapping and help it flex a little more. Hartwood is a bit more dry and older so its lighter at the cost of snapping apart more easily since theres not much sinew to hang onto. Sap wood will break and weighs more but at least it has flex and difficulty separating.
@@lordmark4966 I assume you meant sapwood weighs less, not more. Also, as far as I can see, you just described strength. How is it being harder to break different from being stronger?
It sounds like you are conflating a low modulus of elasticity with a high modulus of rupture.
How many coats of oil do you recommend?
For oiling axe handles, I use boiled linseed oil diluted about 50:50 with mineral spirits and add a small amount of Terebene driers which really speeds up the polymerization or 'hardening' process. I think that the thinner the mix is, the deeper you can get it down into the wood. I mop it on repeatedly for a few minutes, then leave it soak in for 1/2 to 1 hour, then I scrub off all excess lying on the surface with a dry cloth and then apply another coat.... wait... dry off, .and repeat until it will take no more oil. Then I leave it a day or two before giving it couple more applications to 'top it up' The aim is to get all the wood pores filled with hardened oil, but without allowing any surface skin whatsoever to build up....ie. all the finish in the wood but none on it !
How long does take for pine tar to dry?!?!
Hahaha... Bro, I thought I was listenning to John Malcovich talkin' to me about Axes lol ~ You look just like him
Has anyone ever used WATCO Danish Oil??
Yes, some folks do
I have, it makes the grain pop, and lasts a very long time. Takes about 3 days to dry though.
it's all I use. thumbs up if you are a patient person
👍👍👍
Hemp seed oil
this guy is wearing 200 grit pants
There IS a difference in strength from heartwood vs second growth. Science proves this. I cannot continue to watch your videos after hearing this because I can no longer trust what you are saying.