Making an Axe Handle from Scratch
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- Опубліковано 26 чер 2019
- Today in the shop we are making a single bit axe handle from a piece of 8/4 Ash lumber. I picked up this piece of Ash from my local lumberyard. I went to pick up more 8/4 Hickory, but they were out at the time, so I got this Ash. I’m really happy I did because I’m really pleased with the way the wood works and how this handle turned out. As I said, only time will tell as to the way I use this Ash handle and the overall comfort of the 30 inch length, but so far I’m really pleased with the way it feels and handles.
Follow this link if you would like to see the video where I restored the Collins Legitimus single bit axe head that I hung on this handle.
• Restoring a Vintage Co...
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The gold standard of traditional axe handle making was established by the Schofield family of Lockartville Nova Scotia since the 1940's. In his small shop near Hantsport Keith Schofield hand carved thousands of axe handles as well as peavy stocks, shovel handles - basically any and all types of commonly used handles. He started by going to the woods to get straight grained ash. The ash logs were split into pie shaped billets. Only the outside part of the log was used. Keith would pick up a piece of ash that still had the bark on, put it on his shave horse and start carving with the drawknife. He would tell stories while he worked. When he was finished carving the handle it was scraped smooth and beautifully shaped. All that was needed was a rub with some sandpaper. How long did it take to make one handle? If he was talking a lot it took about 8 minutes but with no stories - 6 minutes. I timed him many times and it never took longer than that. He taught me to make axe handles but the best I could do after a lot of practice was 12 minutes. He was the best man with a drawknife I have ever seen - he passed two years ago and he is sorely missed. I just wanted to pass this story on out of respect for him and has craft. Thanks for your videos - you made me think of him.
That is a very interesting bit of history. Thank you so much for sharing it.
My grandfather was making them in the 1920s, EJ Smith, England.
Original woodcutters made there own during there breaks, whittled from ash limbs, to suit them selfs , like buying a pair of shoes, every one had different feel, height, levels of fitness! It was the individual who would be swinging it at the end of the day, - that shaft had to be comfy for them, it was there bread n butter .
Any links to further reading or videos on this, please?
@@breauxp If you are interested in old time green wood carving Drew Langsner's book is a good resource and he has shop drawings in his book to show how to make one style of shavehorse. Keith had opportunities to be featured in magazines and on tv but he always turned them down. I realize now how lucky I was that he showed me how to make handles and orchard ladders. He was one of a kind.
The best video yet..not 50 mles of talk...right to the point. Your a great crafter
Thank you
This is the most carpenter way of going about it ever 😂
This is one of the worthwhile axe handle videos on youtube. Good demonstration and explanation. It's a 25 minute but moved along and seemed shorter which to me is the sign of a well done video. I especially like that there is no metal wedge used in the end. I do use metal wedges occasionally but only when I'm saving an old handle, never on a new handle.
ok, I see that he is using wood clue to lock the wedge in. That's great, but if the head comes loose you're in for trouble as you really cannot remove it. Without glue it's not that much of a deal to remove the wedge. From experience I am in favor of metal wedge to lock the wooden wedge in place as the tend to jump out especially on longer handled axes exposed to more stress. Don't really understand why people have such a dislike for metal wedges - I mean after all there is no perfect solution here!
@Olivier van Oeveren as a matter of fact I have started to glue the wedge in, lol! I have learned that the bond formed by the glue will go loose with heat. I like the clean look of only a wooden wedge
JAMaxe Restoration this is social media’s only civil discussion in all the internet. Well done. 👏
@@donttreadonme1367 You spoke to soon. Jump from a roof and drink bleach anyone who uses wood glue for tool handles!
Lol J/k
Job well done Sir ! Axe handle making is a dying art ,at least here in East Texas anyway . I had the Honor of meeting a Man here in Sabine county several years ago ,that could make any kind of handle you could think of , he did it the Old fashion way , he was to me a true craftsman , His work was as fine if not better than store bought , Mr. Willie Sweetie Bell, gone but not forgotten he used hand tools & peice of glass when it got close to the way he wanted it , a Fine Fine Old Black Gentleman .
A true craftsman.
Thanks Mark.
Very nice work on shaping the ax handle. Not to be picky but in the first minute and a half you called the wood you were using as "quarter sawn," which it was not. Quarter sawn means the grain runs perpendicular through the flat sides. What you have is plain or flat sawn. The grain orientation you selected is perfect for you application, it is just a matter of being accurate in describing the wood you used. Again, I don't mean to be picky as I think you presented a great video on making an ax handles from scratch.
You are 100% correct. Must have slipped my mind. Thanks.
Appreciate the clarification as I wouldn't want to head into a lumber yard asking for the wrong grain orientation! (Although I hope I stay motivated to capture tree trunk raw wood, I may likely give this a try from seasoned wood!)
Thanks for that info!!
THE single best handle video I have ever seen. Thank You.
Thank you!
You are 100% correct that older styles of axes had shorter handles. This was for 2 reasons: 1, it was not always easy to find a piece of straight grained wood (like ash, hickory, etc.) that lent itself to a longer handle and 2, longer handles took up more space when traveling. So 26"-30" handles became EXTREMELY popular for companies like the Hudson Bay Co. This video is freaking awesome, great job!
Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words, and the info.
I have that same exact old table saw. Got it from my grandfather after he passed. He was great at wood working and I'm a 3rd generation carpenter so I get a ton of use outta it even with it being pretty old now. Gotta love all older tools as most are extremely well built unlike far too many tools out there today sadly!
Watching These videos as a man it’s so informative but almost meditative. Love the content.
Nicely done. And you are a very good teacher as well.
Cool! I love axes 😁🇵🇭
Me too!😁
I loved watching the fan dance for a bit at 10:42
Didn‘t know ash growing in the US!? It´s my favourite wood for many kinds of handcrafting. Here in Germany you find lots of ash, mostly dead.
Good video mate ive slowly become addicted to making axe handles and this is a great video 1 thing to remember is you will never be 100% happy with your own work which is part of making anything by hand
Nice job
nice work amigo
The Ol' rubberglove BLO My favorite way to apply
I'm really glad I found your channel ! I have a 100 year old axe head that I've been wanting to restore. You did a fantastic job on this video exsplaining the process to do it ! Thankyou for your video.
Absolutely. Good luck, and Axe on! 🪓
Fantastic video. I usually have a million questions after watching a video about something I want to do. Instead, I feel like questions arose just before they were answered.
watching this! is like meditation!
Namaste... haha
very good video and handle
True ART of craftsmanship!
Just amazing thousands 👍
Thank you
you are a very fine teacher as well as a fine craftsman. thankyou.
Thank you Kenny
Just found your channel last week and love it! I’m so glad to see full length videos. Thank you!
Great work🎉
I love the care you take into doing thing right. Beautiful bit and handle.
Thank you.
your fawns feet are gorgeous. the wedge turned out ok.
Zero Downvotes?!That shows how good you are!
Very nice job on the handle! From one craftsman to another, a couple points of constructive criticism. Use a bit of raw or boiled linseed oil on the handle at final seating. Lubes for a hard seat and also helps to protect and it swells the wood to help keep it tight over time. This also helps to water proof so moisture cant get in and cause decomp of the handle. Next, oil, NOT glue on the wedge. This helps lube and seat wedge, but, when the handle if cut proud, allows the wedge to be seated deeper over time if the handle gets loose. With glue this would be impossible! Overall, very nice handle!
I've seen this suggested before. Thanks. I'll go this route. I've quite a few hangings to do!
The shorter handle looks like a good idea. I've stuffed some handled with missed strikes.
Keep it up man, you’re awesome, and thanks for all the info!
Awesome work mate , I’m about to have my first attempt at a hatchet handle, thanks for the video and G’Day from Australia
Great work!!
Enjoyed watching you make this handle! Thx !
You’re welcome
Chamfering that top edge and leaving the mushroomed top was super smart!
Nice work!
I have never had a wedge stay intact! It's always a little disappointing after all that hard work. Also, I love how calm you are about aligning the head to the handle. That is challenging. Great job!
This is really excellent. Thanks!
Hey Dustin (and the rest of the crew!) I just stumbled upon your channel last night and am blown away. You all do great work and I can't comment enough on how impressive I am by the production quality of your channel. Really excited to check out all your videos.
i always learn something new watching your videos
I really like this!!
Amazing craftsmanship Justin! Was a pleasure watching you make this work of art!
Awesome work mate!! I have watched most of your videos already, love every single one of them, the Long Bow one is my favourite one. Keep up the good work, and awesome effort that you put in your videos!
Great work
Beautiful handle!
Where ya been??? I binge watched all your videos a while ago and have been looking for you to put out a new one. Great job. Love your content. Well produced. Like the common man aspect of your work. Keep them coming!!
Great work Dustin, you're the master at this thing you do! Keep up the great work buddy!
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Such a good workshop.
Great job shaping this axe handle! I do like the handles just a bit longer than 30", but you did a great job with the shape and flare. Nice to watch your work.
Thanks for the kind words. There’s something about shorter handles that I like, although I’m a taller guy.
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Great video especially when you use my favorite wood
Super nice pattern! I love the big sweeping curve on the handle at the axe head.
It sure is purdy.....awesome job and great video.
Great video to see how you make handles!
Good job start to finish enjoyed both downloads.
Really awesome I watch both..great job...
Great video, I'm going to try one this summer!
Your's looks great....Thanks for the video
Nice job, I like it.
Awesome man!
The old skills live with us thanks
Now that is something that I have always want to do for my pet axe heads. Nice job. Excellent video.
Very nice work, great outcome!
Great music, excellent filming, enjoyable production. Inspired to make my own handles.
Thanks!
A very nice job. Thanks for sharing
Ash is a great wood for tool handles. Great job as usual :-)
Been waiting to see that axe get finished.
Awesome axe handle Sir !!!!!!!!
I haven't seen saws like that since high school you do good work thank you
You did a great job, that's a sweet axe!
I had to subscribe ... your content is meant for people like me. Your shop is not big and fancy and does not have 50 grand of high end tools and you still make some nice stuff ... Thank you ..
I'll second that sentiment.
Excellent work and just a beautiful axe! Mesmerizing to watch!
Beautiful work on the head and the handle
Thank you John! Cheers!
real good job! thank you!
Great Video. Thanks
Well done sir, anyone wanting to learn how to make, and hang a axe watch this. Enjoyable to watch, Again Ha! Gives a old too, a new life that will last for years.
That oil was like magic, really brought the grain out
very good job 💪
Awesome video
Nice video. Thanks.
Very nice work
Great job,thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸
I love your spatula saw
Great video bud love the handle thanks
Thank you LL cool lake.
4:00 that's my favorite part of cleaning my band saws, just seeing all the dust fly away, thanks for Including that part
My pleasure😁
Great video! Thanks for sharing your craftsmanship.
Fantastic video, I'm inspired to do up my dad's old axe. Might have to have a couple of goes at the handle until I get what I'm after but I'm sure the effort will be well rewarded. thank you
awesome video thank you for sharing you really are a pro on this art
i enjoy all of your shows and have watch many of them. I am goingg to make one or two axe handles. i have some very old dry Hickory and maple.
❤ very creative 👌
...thumbs up from germany....i think this was tons of work you`ve invested in this beautiful axe-handle...thanx for sharing.
fantastic job
Thanks Joe!
Nice work you have put on your axe handle nice job. And i hope it serves you good.
Nice Dutson. I've only just started watching your channel and enjoying what you. The knives are fantastic. I like glow in the dark. Awesome. I live in New Zealand 👍👍😎🔪
just love it
Ah, Farm Aid 2016 in Bristow, VA. If you recall a group of young college kids getting kicked out for sneaking beers into the venue while Jamey Johnson was singing "In Color" then that was me! I'm about to have a go at an Ash handle for an old full tang Estwing hatchet. Thanks for the guidance!
Nice job. I obviously see you truly appreciate axes and hatchets as I do. Mount Pleasant, IA