So thankful I found this. About to carve my first and was about to make some dumb mistakes. Just one example of a huge takeaway: I'm not scared of screwing up my first one -- or first few even -- and am looking forward to finishing the hang on my garbage, learning...then cutting it off and starting over. (Big Life's Tip #6! below!)
I have a problem when rehandling axes and hatchets in that I have to around an extra four inches to a hatchet in length and around an extra half an inch at least on the girth, due to being six foot four inches tall and having bear paws for hands. So what I am saying is don't be afraid to tweak the proportions of the handle to fit your hand.
What I like to do is shave the axe handle down, so when I close grip the axe handle, my thumbs distal phalange fits perfectly over my index finger nail, when I grip the shaft at the throat or grip. This is what feels good for me but your 100 percent right customize your axe handle to fit your hands 👍
Whoah, whoah, whoah, slow down a little! Please don't take this the wrong way--it's NOT criticism; I LOVE LOVE your channel, but some of us noobs like to actually WATCH you do some of the steps, like cutting out the basic shape on the bandsaw, carving down the tongue, gluing the palm swells & shaving down the facets! It's THERAPEUTIC, seriously!! Plus, we learn by SEEING, then doing!! 😁 Keep up the good work! Seriously, you're one of my favorite channels!! Thank you for sharing your talents!!! 👍
Agreed ! Seeing how pros do it is always a good thing. Came after some failed attempts, I think I'll get there eventually. I'll post my handle making fireside video in the near future. Excellent video. Also I'd advise to just start ! Even if you don't have the right timber, you'll still improve your skills 🫡
Good advice for noobs especially; 'stick with the original shape'. I dreamed custom profiles and in reality they sucked. Work with original profiles and THEN make your custom jobs.
Yep…decades of working every day with their axes allowed the old-timers to come up with the best practical patterns. A modern day hobbyist who thinks they “know” a better shape than the traditional moderately curved deer-foot handle is bound to come up with something that is both too complicated and too impractical to work with!
Wait, how does one go about cutting the top area ? I get the shaving down, but I’m talking about the basic cutting, (where one should start and with what/how?) New to having any type of axes, mauls, scythes, etc. Have collected some old, antique pieces that need handles &/or new handles. Collected to help with my cutting/chopping wood for my 1st wood stove, but that out of the picture. Previous owner went cheap w/pipes and placement, & now we don’t have the $4000 to “repair”! But I don’t want my older tools to go to waste. Still want to be able to use them, when needed. Thanx for vid!
Awesome tips mate. Is there a Rule of thumb for how deep into the axe head the cut for the wedge should be? Certain percentage of the axe head or something? Cheers
Very helpful. I have the same Norlund hatchet; but I want to make a STRAIGHT handle so that it resembles a polled Tomahawk. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Great video! (and timely) It just so happens that I need to replace my axe handle. Some knucklehead (me) missed the line when splitting firewood. Have you ever used Osage Orange wood for handles?
Best advice, finish the eye first. I started doing that not long ago and the best part about that is you don’t have to chase the bit when it’s not in line with the palm swell. We all know that dance and it sucks.
I've never used a bandsaw for the facets. Generally you'd use a draw knife, I've used the 1x3 belt sander with the table at an angle also. However you do it, it's just the bulk removal phase.
@@old_iron_axe_and_tool i got it eventualy and tried it on the bandsaw and it was fast in the past i was using a shinto rasp for thoes facents so it turned great btw how many wats does your beltsander have doesnt it stop if you push wood to it a little more?
this video is really helpful for those who want to learn how to make ax handles. I really appreciate your work!
Oh my gosh.
1 second in and already getting to it!
Very good.
Tip #6. Don’t be afraid to make one. I wish i had started making my owe handles sooner than I did.
So thankful I found this. About to carve my first and was about to make some dumb mistakes. Just one example of a huge takeaway: I'm not scared of screwing up my first one -- or first few even -- and am looking forward to finishing the hang on my garbage, learning...then cutting it off and starting over. (Big Life's Tip #6! below!)
From Austria: Thankyou.. 😊🎉
I have a problem when rehandling axes and hatchets in that I have to around an extra four inches to a hatchet in length and around an extra half an inch at least on the girth, due to being six foot four inches tall and having bear paws for hands. So what I am saying is don't be afraid to tweak the proportions of the handle to fit your hand.
What I like to do is shave the axe handle down, so when I close grip the axe handle, my thumbs distal phalange fits perfectly over my index finger nail, when I grip the shaft at the throat or grip. This is what feels good for me but your 100 percent right customize your axe handle to fit your hands 👍
Whoah, whoah, whoah, slow down a little! Please don't take this the wrong way--it's NOT criticism; I LOVE LOVE your channel, but some of us noobs like to actually WATCH you do some of the steps, like cutting out the basic shape on the bandsaw, carving down the tongue, gluing the palm swells & shaving down the facets! It's THERAPEUTIC, seriously!! Plus, we learn by SEEING, then doing!! 😁
Keep up the good work! Seriously, you're one of my favorite channels!! Thank you for sharing your talents!!! 👍
Agreed ! Seeing how pros do it is always a good thing.
Came after some failed attempts, I think I'll get there eventually. I'll post my handle making fireside video in the near future.
Excellent video. Also I'd advise to just start ! Even if you don't have the right timber, you'll still improve your skills 🫡
Excellent tutorial. I am getting ready to make my first pean hammer handle and gleaned much from your insights.
Great video I've been tinkering around making handles but I'm always looking for tips and tricks It can only get easier
Thank you. Have an old plumb carpenter that I am going to try. As always great content!!
Man, wish I was told all this years ago.
School of hard knocks, haha
Great advice. I'm definitely going to make that tracer tool
Thanks for your tips. I really like the tracing jig.
Its so exciting hearing Ethan Suplee give woodworking advice!
Good and helpful tips, thank you.
Im looking forward to one day being able to this
Well keep an eye on your mailbox! I think it's there on Tuesday.
@@old_iron_axe_and_tool 🫡
Excellent content. Ive been playing around with hanging some axes.
Can you do a video on making that little tracing tool?
I'll put it on my list.
These are good tips
I am currently working on reusing the old tail of my fire axe, I would like to be able to do that type of work one day.
Go for it man. It's worth the time .
Good advice for noobs especially; 'stick with the original shape'. I dreamed custom profiles and in reality they sucked. Work with original profiles and THEN make your custom jobs.
Yep…decades of working every day with their axes allowed the old-timers to come up with the best practical patterns. A modern day hobbyist who thinks they “know” a better shape than the traditional moderately curved deer-foot handle is bound to come up with something that is both too complicated and too impractical to work with!
Like the pencil jig you made
Great tips. Thanks.
Wait, how does one go about cutting the top area ? I get the shaving down, but I’m talking about the basic cutting, (where one should start and with what/how?)
New to having any type of axes, mauls, scythes, etc. Have collected some old, antique pieces that need handles &/or new handles. Collected to help with my cutting/chopping wood for my 1st wood stove, but that out of the picture. Previous owner went cheap w/pipes and placement, & now we don’t have the $4000 to “repair”! But I don’t want my older tools to go to waste. Still want to be able to use them, when needed. Thanx for vid!
Awesome tips mate. Is there a Rule of thumb for how deep into the axe head the cut for the wedge should be? Certain percentage of the axe head or something? Cheers
Very helpful. I have the same Norlund hatchet; but I want to make a STRAIGHT handle so that it resembles a polled Tomahawk. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Great video! (and timely) It just so happens that I need to replace my axe handle. Some knucklehead (me) missed the line when splitting firewood. Have you ever used Osage Orange wood for handles?
Great chanel!. Do you restore axes for side work? I have a family member who passed and want it cleaned up. Thank you. Jesse
Hey Jesse. You can find my email on the channel home page. Shoot me some pictures and let me know what you want to have done.
30c from whiskey river...so beautiful
Best advice, finish the eye first. I started doing that not long ago and the best part about that is you don’t have to chase the bit when it’s not in line with the palm swell. We all know that dance and it sucks.
Nice video
how do you cut those damn faucest on the bandsaw and at what angle do you have a jig or smth?
I've never used a bandsaw for the facets. Generally you'd use a draw knife, I've used the 1x3 belt sander with the table at an angle also. However you do it, it's just the bulk removal phase.
@@old_iron_axe_and_tool aaa ok bc you said on the video that you did it on a bandsaw and the sanded it
@@phaul so I was referring to cutting the lines I traced. Those are essentially the first 2 facets we make.
@phaul I should have shown that part in the video to make it clearer.
@@old_iron_axe_and_tool i got it eventualy and tried it on the bandsaw and it was fast in the past i was using a shinto rasp for thoes facents so it turned great btw how many wats does your beltsander have doesnt it stop if you push wood to it a little more?
You cut the long wooden bar with a bandsaw.
I just find a piece of oak that is shaped like a hatchet handle 🤔
Do you have a video with less talking and more demonstration such as how you made the eye?
I like to replace tip 5 with a round over bit on my router.