More than 50 years ago I was challenged to teach a wood technology course to 12-17 year old students. I never had a previous knowledge of the trade. I sought help from my teacher friends, and in a hurry I managed to put together a concise wood tech course. Now and after watching your superb video on axe handle replacement, I can bravely tell and wood knowledge seeker about wood grain lines and forces. I thought I stopped learning beyond retirement
Congratulations on providing a beautifully made video explaining this job. I have watched with great joy and learnt a lot. Your delivery of method is highly commendable and I thank you for your effort. No ego, no frustration, just clear, calm & precise instructions. Top man! Well done.
at 22:48 you can see he left a lot of airspace on the backside of the eye on the bottom. This is a nono, you want a tight fit all the way around the eye. This would be a redo for me.
The shop is looking great! You’ve got me addicted to fixing up old cheap axes off eBay. Restored my grandpas old keen cutter. Came out okay. Lots to learn. Love my newly purchased draw knife!
Some of us have picked up these methods along the way but it is your packaging of the knowledge. It's it not said it's shown. You deserve every compliment we give ya .
I was blessed enough to have had the opportunity to visit Liam's shop and it was unreal. The fit and finish in your hands is really unlike any other. I have handled a lot of the "Greats" new and old and his axe's are a head and shoulders ahead of everyone else. What really set it apart for me was each axe was detailed with that level of craftsmanship. Each was Scary sharp. Every handled was cleaned and fit better than i have every seen even on custom one off jobs. The leather work is on another level. We are able, if you can get one, to buy an heirloom for your family. These are the axes that in 100 years will still be here and people will be looking for. That you to the whole Hoffman Axe crew.
I see to many people just used boiled linseed oil for the wedge. Thank you for showing the proper way of hanging an axe. Use wood glue for the wedge then soak the whole handle in boiled linseed oil.
This video went so far above and beyond all the other ones I’ve seen. To each their own but the extra details this included was awesome. I currently do this as a hobby but have made some as gifts and the attention to detail this video highlights is great. Thanks.
What is small world! A guy in Philly (me) asks the Google Assistant "why do you turn an axe upside down and hit it when putting on an axe blade?" (because I know nothing of axes 😅), and it gives me a video of a guy in Tennessee wearing a t-shirt from Philly! I mean, really? 🤣 Seriously though, if I needed an axe I'd definitely be buying one from you! Looks like some serious good work right there. Take care, -E
Absolutely GREAT tutorial. My Father taught me how to hang a handle right down to holding the head down and DRAWING the head up the handle by hitting the but end. But Hoffman goes into tips that I have never seen before. Well Done ... The Old School way. I can't wait to get my next axe from them.
I liked that you have a lot of tips and the explanation on why. Very informative on the do's and don't, loved your videos. Thank you for a job well done!
Your woodworking is every bit as good as your blacksmithing, thank you for these great videos! I’m struggling with the contours around the neck and palm swell at the moment on my own handles, but watching your vids are super insights, keep up the good work!
I restore/rehang axes/hatchets and the more hand work done on them is a very good way to keep your mind/body/spirit working together just as one would in hand sharpening is.
So many great tips I hadn't thought of, thanks! I managed to find a couple of your 32" hickory handles for sale not long ago, they're hands down the most gorgeous handles I've seen. I'm about to use the first one on a 4² Plumb Rockaway, it should be a beast when I'm finished.
It is so good to see someone take the time and effort to offer a product that goes beyond the normal run of the mill products, that little extra care Liam means a lot to people. We seem to have lost this virtue over the years.
Epic, really helpful and appreciate the time you've taken. This has gone a long way to help me in the final stages of my hatchet handle I've carved by hand.
Wow. Very helpful. I just received my handle I purchased from you. Very impressed, but cautious in hanging my Norlund head because I didn't want to damage this spectacular handle. Learned a lot. Thank you.
I can smell the wood as you work it. I don't glue my wedges, I use pine tar. Not sure if it is any better or worse but I find it seals out moisture and preserves the eye wood area pretty well. I am, however, so going to use the rounded edges on my wedges from now on! I can't believe I hadn't thought of that!
Great video as always. I am thinking of making a handle for an old axe now and the thing is that the eye is not straight with the edge. What is better, to play with the handle to face it straight (edge and handle) or use files and file away parts of the eye making it as straight as it can get to the edge, before making the handle?
I would like to get your thoughts on straight handles. Your curved traditional handles so nice, but something about a straight... maybe because they are just different? What you think?
Thanks for the video, so helpfull. I am replacing a axe handle but unsure about the head orientation, top versus bottom. Can I assume the larger measurement across the eye in the short direction indicates the top?
Excellent video A thank you. Question: how would you re-smooth/sand the handle by the head swell after you used the drawknife further down during fitment?
I noticed you don't use any kind of a metal wedge in your handling process. I usually make either a couple of straight step wedges or a single round wedge. Does the glue hold well enough this extra step is unnecessary? I've been doing this on all my blacksmithing tools as long as I can remember but not having to make metal wedges would be awesome! I'd love yours or someone else's input! Edit: found a comment lower down you gave your thoughts on. Had no idea it could cause more harm than good. Main benefit I've noticed is when the wood wedge eventually let's go the metal wedges keep enough material in place to keep the head on. But maybe without the cracking of a step wedge you wouldn't need to worry so much about the wedge coming out. Combined with wood glue of course.
I just wonder: why Walnut for the Wedge, and does it make a difference if it is white or black walnut wood, or could I use well dried Boxwood I have sitting on my shelf, because I only have white walnut and it is not dry yet. Great video Liam!
How far down the eye of the handle do you make the wedge cut? I've read that some people go 2/3 the width of the cheek but it looks like you went further. What do you recommend?
The reason a haft can warp if stored leaning against a wall is not the weight; it's the wood drawing moisture up into itself from the ground. Hang up them axes when storing 'em!
MR Hoffman. I just finished my first axe head tonight, now looking for hickory. Question is what thickness board am I looking for. Head is about 2.5lbs and I’m going 24-25” handle.
I’m a green wood carver, spoons, bowls, cups, etc. if I were interested in purchasing one of your axe designs with the carver in mind what would I need do? Thank you for your time in advance.
I really don't understand why some axe manufacturers flush fit their hafts to the top of the eye instead of proud fitment. Then they put in barrel wedges to secure the wood wedge, which Liam has shown isn't even necessary if you hang it right in the first place.
Hey quick question! How can I realign a hatchet head? I made the handle and when I we t to hang it, I noticed the bit was slightly offset. What can I do?
Could anyone explain why does the kerf need to be wider on bigger heads? My handsaw is dull as hell, and i've been thinking about buying a Japanese pull saw because they look very interesting, but the one i'm looking at has a 0.7mm kerf. Bad idea?
Boni Hollóssy + Not a bad idea, I use my pull saw a lot. But the wider kerf is needed to accept the larger wedges. Otherwise the wedge doesn’t drive deep enough to spread the top of the handle to fill the axe eye correctly. Not sure if I’m explaining this right, after hanging a few axe heads you’ll see what I mean. Hope that helps.
@@aslob9321 Makese sense, thanks! I've hung a few heads before, I just thought i'd use a narrower wedge, but I can see now how that might not spread the eye of the handle properly. My saw is a super cheap random hardware store saw. I think the teeth are impulse hardened, and as far as I know you can't sharpen those. I've tried anyways because i've had a feather edge saw file laying around, but it just makes a horrible noise and doesn't seem to bite into the metal. The saw is also a cross cut. 😀
Boni Hollóssy + Yeah, those won’t sharpen, best bet is to buy an old rip saw at the flea market. They sharpen up great and the older ones were made thicker.
Good video, any recommendations on good course woodworking rasps, course metal working file/ resps, spokeshave, Pullsaw or good woodworking saw, chisels, table sanders? and anything anything else?
I would like the hole on the handle to be further down, so it isn't on the part I grab the handle. If you make use of that hole and put a cordm it just makes things even worse.. bit further, closer on the nob, would be the place I would put that hole on. I might be wrong, because I'm not an axe maker, it's from a user point of view.
a proper plumb or kelly works and well chosen ace hardware handle with several coats of linseed oil will do me fine and i'll have enough money to buy a yacht too
Be aware, Titebond 3 has iron added to it for adhesion. Not a huge issue on an axe hang but for finer carpentry it can darken in the presence of water (rust). Just an FYI.
More than 50 years ago I was challenged to teach a wood technology course to 12-17 year old students. I never had a previous knowledge of the trade. I sought help from my teacher friends, and in a hurry I managed to put together a concise wood tech course. Now and after watching your superb video on axe handle replacement, I can bravely tell and wood knowledge seeker about wood grain lines and forces. I thought I stopped learning beyond retirement
Congratulations on providing a beautifully made video explaining this job. I have watched with great joy and learnt a lot. Your delivery of method is highly commendable and I thank you for your effort. No ego, no frustration, just clear, calm & precise instructions. Top man! Well done.
I can see why the axes are the price they are. It makes total sense. Your love and attention to making this tool is really an art!
If i were looking for a vid on hanging an axe, this is what i would watch, very instructional Liam
at 22:48 you can see he left a lot of airspace on the backside of the eye on the bottom. This is a nono, you want a tight fit all the way around the eye. This would be a redo for me.
@@DrewDubious me too
Ditto!
The shop is looking great! You’ve got me addicted to fixing up old cheap axes off eBay. Restored my grandpas old keen cutter. Came out okay. Lots to learn. Love my newly purchased draw knife!
Damn I want one of your axes. Your the best we got in the USA.
Some of us have picked up these methods along the way but it is your packaging of the knowledge. It's it not said it's shown. You deserve every compliment we give ya .
I was blessed enough to have had the opportunity to visit Liam's shop and it was unreal. The fit and finish in your hands is really unlike any other. I have handled a lot of the "Greats" new and old and his axe's are a head and shoulders ahead of everyone else.
What really set it apart for me was each axe was detailed with that level of craftsmanship. Each was Scary sharp. Every handled was cleaned and fit better than i have every seen even on custom one off jobs. The leather work is on another level. We are able, if you can get one, to buy an heirloom for your family. These are the axes that in 100 years will still be here and people will be looking for.
That you to the whole Hoffman Axe crew.
I see to many people just used boiled linseed oil for the wedge. Thank you for showing the proper way of hanging an axe. Use wood glue for the wedge then soak the whole handle in boiled linseed oil.
This video went so far above and beyond all the other ones I’ve seen. To each their own but the extra details this included was awesome. I currently do this as a hobby but have made some as gifts and the attention to detail this video highlights is great. Thanks.
Excellent video. Thank you.
The best! most comprehensive Axe hanging video I've ever seen. Thank you for taking the time.
Your axes are insane. There is no axes like yours for sure. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for the knowledge Mr. Hoffman.
Excellent. As a Filipino would say, Salamat!
Liam, You've been a huge inspiration to me for many years now. You are a true artisan and master craftsman. Thank you.
He really is great.
What is small world! A guy in Philly (me) asks the Google Assistant "why do you turn an axe upside down and hit it when putting on an axe blade?" (because I know nothing of axes 😅), and it gives me a video of a guy in Tennessee wearing a t-shirt from Philly! I mean, really? 🤣 Seriously though, if I needed an axe I'd definitely be buying one from you! Looks like some serious good work right there. Take care, -E
Absolutely GREAT tutorial. My Father taught me how to hang a handle right down to holding the head down and DRAWING the head up the handle by hitting the but end. But Hoffman goes into tips that I have never seen before. Well Done ... The Old School way. I can't wait to get my next axe from them.
Nicely done with great explanations. Thanks.
I liked that you have a lot of tips and the explanation on why. Very informative on the do's and don't, loved your videos. Thank you for a job well done!
When Liam is talking I can’t take my eyes off his forearms
Haha that’s so funny man. Same. Don’t know why
Your woodworking is every bit as good as your blacksmithing, thank you for these great videos! I’m struggling with the contours around the neck and palm swell at the moment on my own handles, but watching your vids are super insights, keep up the good work!
Anyone else eyeing that pocket knife?!?
My LH axe handle is a perfect fit. Thanks Liam!!!
You literally have the perfect handle shape!
I restore/rehang axes/hatchets and the more hand work done on them is a very good way to keep your mind/body/spirit working together just as one would in hand sharpening is.
Thank You for a fine presentation. Hanging a handle on a small Scott Axe now and your video is very helpful. God Bless U and Yours.
So many great tips I hadn't thought of, thanks!
I managed to find a couple of your 32" hickory handles for sale not long ago, they're hands down the most gorgeous handles I've seen. I'm about to use the first one on a 4² Plumb Rockaway, it should be a beast when I'm finished.
It is so good to see someone take the time and effort to offer a product that goes beyond the normal run of the mill products, that little extra care Liam means a lot to people. We seem to have lost this virtue over the years.
Epic, really helpful and appreciate the time you've taken. This has gone a long way to help me in the final stages of my hatchet handle I've carved by hand.
Very nice...Thanks for showing all the little details...
Beautiful shop Liam!
Beautiful piece of Hickory.
Best axes made anywhere in the world today.
Absolutely, what better heirloom for a timber faller to pass down than a Hoffman felling axe? Perfectionist, hope “Buckin” is watching 🥁🥁🥁🥁
So many tips here that no one else mentioned!
This was a PERFECT video. Thanks a ton!
Awesome video. Thank you. Beautiful axes BTW.
Wow. Very helpful.
I just received my handle I purchased from you. Very impressed, but cautious in hanging my Norlund head because I didn't want to damage this spectacular handle. Learned a lot. Thank you.
Excellent tutorial my friend. Subbed and ordered a puck as well.
I’d love to see his shop personally. Mr. Hoffman, do you offer tours?
Great video! Thanks.
Aunt watched in a while. Nice production quality man. I'm hanging my first double bit tonight. Keep it up
Great video!
I can smell the wood as you work it. I don't glue my wedges, I use pine tar. Not sure if it is any better or worse but I find it seals out moisture and preserves the eye wood area pretty well. I am, however, so going to use the rounded edges on my wedges from now on! I can't believe I hadn't thought of that!
Thank you for the tutorial.
Great video Liam
Nice job 👍
Great video as always. I am thinking of making a handle for an old axe now and the thing is that the eye is not straight with the edge. What is better, to play with the handle to face it straight (edge and handle) or use files and file away parts of the eye making it as straight as it can get to the edge, before making the handle?
I would like to get your thoughts on straight handles. Your curved traditional handles so nice, but something about a straight... maybe because they are just different? What you think?
Thanks for the video, so helpfull. I am replacing a axe handle but unsure about the head orientation, top versus bottom. Can I assume the larger measurement across the eye in the short direction indicates the top?
Excellent video A thank you. Question: how would you re-smooth/sand the handle by the head swell after you used the drawknife further down during fitment?
The best !
I noticed you don't use any kind of a metal wedge in your handling process. I usually make either a couple of straight step wedges or a single round wedge. Does the glue hold well enough this extra step is unnecessary? I've been doing this on all my blacksmithing tools as long as I can remember but not having to make metal wedges would be awesome! I'd love yours or someone else's input!
Edit: found a comment lower down you gave your thoughts on. Had no idea it could cause more harm than good. Main benefit I've noticed is when the wood wedge eventually let's go the metal wedges keep enough material in place to keep the head on. But maybe without the cracking of a step wedge you wouldn't need to worry so much about the wedge coming out. Combined with wood glue of course.
Think I need to slow down and focus on being straight and smooth. Thanks Liam!
I just wonder: why Walnut for the Wedge, and does it make a difference if it is white or black walnut wood, or could I use well dried Boxwood I have sitting on my shelf, because I only have white walnut and it is not dry yet. Great video Liam!
How far down the eye of the handle do you make the wedge cut? I've read that some people go 2/3 the width of the cheek but it looks like you went further. What do you recommend?
Where do you get the walnut for making the wedges?
Don't you have to oil the handle where it was shaved to prevent moisture get in before the final fitting? Thanks.
What model axe are you hanging and what is the handle length? great video!
18:32. That’s what he said
The reason a haft can warp if stored leaning against a wall is not the weight; it's the wood drawing moisture up into itself from the ground. Hang up them axes when storing 'em!
Thinking of carving my own axe handle out of lilac wood (very hard). Any thoughts? Best hanging video man
What knife are you using?
What type of wood are you using for the wedge? You are amazing! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
mine came with a walnut wood wedge.
MR Hoffman. I just finished my first axe head tonight, now looking for hickory. Question is what thickness board am I looking for. Head is about 2.5lbs and I’m going 24-25” handle.
Is it bad for the head to go too far in? I think I fit mine a bit too deep.
Did you make this video just for me? Thank you. I have 3 different size heads to install and have been procrastinating.
How much is 1 like in this video? YOU DO VERY NICE WORK GOD BLESS
Is there a rule of thumb formula, for ratio of head weight to handle length?
I’m a green wood carver, spoons, bowls, cups, etc. if I were interested in purchasing one of your axe designs with the carver in mind what would I need do? Thank you for your time in advance.
Nice
I forgot to mention that the knife you use to widdle the wedge for the kerf. What knife is that? Is there a similar one you sell?
Would it be at all possible to get a 30 or 32" handle with more material at the eye to fit a German D shape eye?
Why not? What are the measurements of the axe eye? Is whit ash ok?
@@georgegordonbrown9522 The eye of Rhineland patterns tends to be much wider both on the front and back compared to most axes with an oval eye shape.
How much would you say the wood type matters for a carving hatchet? Anyone got an opinion on this?
I really don't understand why some axe manufacturers flush fit their hafts to the top of the eye instead of proud fitment. Then they put in barrel wedges to secure the wood wedge, which Liam has shown isn't even necessary if you hang it right in the first place.
Great stuff! Whats your opinion on using resin on a handle that may not have enough material to fit the head?
I'm not a terrorist, my my my another knife in the back?
Hey quick question! How can I realign a hatchet head? I made the handle and when I we t to hang it, I noticed the bit was slightly offset. What can I do?
I like tihs video
that drawknife is sharp as $hit. Cuts so easy
Are you going to be selling more handles?
You had a big gap on the underneath, on the pole end.
Do we always let some of the wood stick out of the top? I have always cut my flush. Yep, Great Video !!!!!!
No no... you don't cut it flush. You need the extra wood to mushroom the top. It holds it place much better.
Good job! Except I think the hole is a little bit high on the handle!
Brave
Could anyone explain why does the kerf need to be wider on bigger heads? My handsaw is dull as hell, and i've been thinking about buying a Japanese pull saw because they look very interesting, but the one i'm looking at has a 0.7mm kerf. Bad idea?
Boni Hollóssy + Not a bad idea, I use my pull saw a lot. But the wider kerf is needed to accept the larger wedges. Otherwise the wedge doesn’t drive deep enough to spread the top of the handle to fill the axe eye correctly. Not sure if I’m explaining this right, after hanging a few axe heads you’ll see what I mean. Hope that helps.
Also, you could sharpen your hand saw! That’s the idea of having tools that are not disposable...
@@aslob9321 Makese sense, thanks! I've hung a few heads before, I just thought i'd use a narrower wedge, but I can see now how that might not spread the eye of the handle properly.
My saw is a super cheap random hardware store saw. I think the teeth are impulse hardened, and as far as I know you can't sharpen those. I've tried anyways because i've had a feather edge saw file laying around, but it just makes a horrible noise and doesn't seem to bite into the metal. The saw is also a cross cut. 😀
Boni Hollóssy + Yeah, those won’t sharpen, best bet is to buy an old rip saw at the flea market. They sharpen up great and the older ones were made thicker.
Who manufactures your handles?Nice straight grain.
He makes his own, out of (carefully chosen) purchased lumber! 👍
Good video but not showing the wedge gap on handle while installed on the axe is an oversite.
You should show how you make a handle.
Good video, any recommendations on good course woodworking rasps, course metal working file/ resps, spokeshave, Pullsaw or good woodworking saw, chisels, table sanders? and anything anything else?
I would like the hole on the handle to be further down, so it isn't on the part I grab the handle. If you make use of that hole and put a cordm it just makes things even worse.. bit further, closer on the nob, would be the place I would put that hole on. I might be wrong, because I'm not an axe maker, it's from a user point of view.
a proper plumb or kelly works and well chosen ace hardware handle with several coats of linseed oil will do me fine and i'll have enough money to buy a yacht too
You missed out here in youtube land. Happy trails
I wood suggest titebond 3 waterproof glue.
Be aware, Titebond 3 has iron added to it for adhesion. Not a huge issue on an axe hang but for finer carpentry it can darken in the presence of water (rust). Just an FYI.
Топоры продаёте?
No step wedge?
Only need a step wedge if the handle is hung poorly. That head will never come off by it self!
I have a big problem: When i hang an axe then the wedge keeps getting out, i use woodglue but that doesn' t seem to help. Can somone please help me?
This tutorial is extremely handy...
.
.
.
😬👍
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...soz.
But you did crack the wedge. Why not oil the wedge before inserting it... that solves it.
By bending the arrow
Think I’d use sandpaper.