"Take care of your tools," goes an old craftsman's adage, "and your tools will take care of you." Whether it's a hand axe, a felling axe, a splitting maul, or a specialty tool such as an adze or froe, correct use and careful maintenance will preserve its usefulness and provide a return on investment for years.
Correct Axe Use
- A tool of the wrong weight or size is dangerous. The axe should be an appropriate type and size (head weight, haft length) for the job and for the user's body size and skill level
- Warming the axe head before use in very cold weather may prevent blade chips
- Driving the axe into the ground will dull it and chip the bit (sharpened edge) - Use a chopping block
- Avoid glancing blows, overstrikes, and understrikes as these are apt to damage the tool (and the user!)
Proper Axe Storage
- Do not leave an axe laying on the ground
- Keep the axe in a dry place, preferably in a shed where porcupines can't gnaw the handle
- For the sake of conservation, do not store an axe by driving it into a live tree
- An axe may be stored temporarily by driving it into the chopping block (preferably in such a way that nobody will walk into the handle)
- Keep the head lightly oiled when not in use to prevent rust
- For safety (and to keep the blade sharp!) mask the blade when the axe is not in use
Sharpening an Axe
A dull axe is both ineffective and dangerous . Regular sharpening is an important maintenance step.
- Keep the bit sharp (touch it up occasionally during use, and sharpen it well before storage)
- A step-by-step guide to using and sharpening an axe is available free from Swedish Axe maker Gransfors
- It is not necessary to remove all nicks from the blade; it is more important to maintain the shape
Handle Care
- Do not use an axe with a split haft; replace the damaged handle
- Do not attempt to repair a damaged handle except in an emergency
- Keep the haft lightly oiled with linseed oil (both raw and boiled oil have their proponents). Wipe off any excess before storage
- A touch with fine sandpaper will remove any burrs or feathering on the throat or grip
- Be sure the head is tight on the haft
Fixing a Loose Head
The expression "don't fly off the handle" had an original, literal meaning. An axe head that flies off can cause considerable damage. These are only temporary solutions, not repairs:
- Drive the butt down onto the chopping block to drive the head further onto the shoulder of the handle (if it is necessary to do this repeatedly, stop and do a proper repair)
- Soak the head in a pail of water for an hour (dry it off and re-oil it to prevent rust) to make the wood fibers swell
For a proper fix, you can buy wedges made of hardwood (or cut your own) or metal from hardware and camping stores.
- If the wedge is loose, pry it out and replace it with one slightly wider
- If you can't remove the existing wedge, you may be able to drive an additional narrow wooden wedge into the split in the handle
- Drive a metal wedge into the handle approximately at right angles to the wooden wedge
All too often, an axe is mis-handled, abused and neglected, the Cinderella of the truck box. But the small amount of time and effort needed for proper maintenance will pay off in the long run, giving a tool that remains effective and serviceable for years.
Read More
How to Keep an Axe Head from Rusting
How to Choose the Right Size Axe
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