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.
This is the most rational instruction I've seen about hanging an axe head. No charming old wife's tails or traditional voodoo techniques. You win the 'just the physics' blue ribbon..
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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!
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
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
Yeah these were nowhere near the size they needed to be for me. I've never had to put so much work into shaping a handle to fit a head before. 5lb Jersey Plumb with a 32" curvy handle. Wasn't even close tbh.
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?
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?
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.
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!
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 .
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?
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.
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 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?
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.
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!
This is the most rational instruction I've seen about hanging an axe head. No charming old wife's tails or traditional voodoo techniques. You win the 'just the physics' blue ribbon..
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 best! most comprehensive Axe hanging video I've ever seen. Thank you for taking the time.
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.
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.
Your axes are insane. There is no axes like yours for sure. Thank you for sharing
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.
Excellent. As a Filipino would say, Salamat!
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.
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!
Damn I want one of your axes. Your the best we got in the USA.
Nice Vice! Just ordered a couple handles from ya and they are fantastic!
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.
When Liam is talking I can’t take my eyes off his forearms
Haha that’s so funny man. Same. Don’t know why
Anyone else eyeing that pocket knife?!?
Excellent video. Thank you.
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.
Very nice...Thanks for showing all the little details...
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!
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
Great video! Thanks.
Excellent tutorial my friend. Subbed and ordered a puck as well.
You literally have the perfect handle shape!
I’d love to see his shop personally. Mr. Hoffman, do you offer tours?
Great video!
Awesome video. Thank you. Beautiful axes BTW.
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!
Thank you for the tutorial.
This was a PERFECT video. Thanks a ton!
Beautiful piece of Hickory.
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.
My LH axe handle is a perfect fit. Thanks Liam!!!
Nicely done with great explanations. Thanks.
Think I need to slow down and focus on being straight and smooth. Thanks Liam!
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!
18:32. That’s what he said
Beautiful shop Liam!
You should show how you make a handle.
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
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 video but not showing the wedge gap on handle while installed on the axe is an oversite.
Great video Liam
that drawknife is sharp as $hit. Cuts so easy
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?
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.
You missed out here in youtube land. Happy trails
Did you make this video just for me? Thank you. I have 3 different size heads to install and have been procrastinating.
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?
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.
Your knife, what is it?
What knife are you using?
By bending the arrow
Think I’d use sandpaper.
The best !
But you did crack the wedge. Why not oil the wedge before inserting it... that solves it.
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.
I like tihs video
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?
Yeah these were nowhere near the size they needed to be for me. I've never had to put so much work into shaping a handle to fit a head before. 5lb Jersey Plumb with a 32" curvy handle. Wasn't even close tbh.
Are you going to be selling more handles?
This tutorial is extremely handy...
.
.
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😬👍
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...soz.
Thinking of carving my own axe handle out of lilac wood (very hard). Any thoughts? Best hanging video man
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?
Is it bad for the head to go too far in? I think I fit mine a bit too deep.
What about that sexy knife?
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?
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?
Топоры продаёте?
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?
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.
I’d buy one but they’re all sold out
9:30. That’s what she said
Можите зделать лекало этого топорища и отправить ?
The hang of something is the result, not the process.
This time I will do it manually with the help of Woodglut designs.
Liam's videos are more funner lol
I've heard good feedback about the Woodglut plans.
Camera man bad
I prefer your old, tiny, little shop. This one looks like you purchased it at Walmart........just sayin’.
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.
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!
You are a professional! I learned a lot in a short amount of time. I've hanged quite a few heads and have made some mistakes. Thank you!
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 .
How much is 1 like in this video? YOU DO VERY NICE WORK GOD BLESS
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?
Fuck it ill just have someone else put the handle on my axe can I get a phone number or email where I can contact you guys
You had a big gap on the underneath, on the pole end.
Good job! Except I think the hole is a little bit high on the handle!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Nice job 👍
How much would you say the wood type matters for a carving hatchet? Anyone got an opinion on this?
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 🥁🥁🥁🥁
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.