Hickory. Hickory is the most common wood type for making an axe handle, and it has long been a favorite since the founding of America. In addition to affordability, Hickory is very strong. Since it is a straight-grained hardwood, it is highly durable, absorbs shock, and minimizes user fatigue.

What is the best wood for an axe handle?

hickory
Long, straight-grained woods such as hickory or ash are traditionally chosen for axe handles because they are strong and produce long, straight staves.

Are hickory handles good?

Type of tree You heard us mention this above, but hickory is the best wood for the handle of a striking tool (like an axe). Both can do a fine job, but for peak quality you can’t do any better than a good piece of hickory. It’s worth noting, that axe handles can be made from other materials, like fiberglass.

Which is stronger ash or hickory?

Which is stronger: Ash or Hickory? With a Janka hardness rating of 1320, Ash is a very durable species of hardwood that can easily be installed in high-traffic areas. But with a hardness rating of 1820, Hickory is among the strongest hardwoods commonly used for flooring.

Why is hickory so strong?

The strength characteristics of Hickory are influenced considerably by the spacing of its growth rings. In general, wood from faster-growing trees, with wider spaced growth rings, tends to be harder, heavier, and stronger than wood from slower-growing trees that have rings which are closer together.

What type of hickory is used for axe handles?

There are several types of knob ends of which the most common are the swell-end or fawn’s foot. The most common wood used to make axe handles is American Hickory.

Why do axe handles break?

The grain of the wood is cut across where the axe handle enters the eye and in the transition as the wood thins down into the rest of the handle, creating a vulnerability toward splitting along the grain at those places.

Can you use green wood for axe handle?

Choose a freshly cut bolt of ash, hickory, sugar maple, yellow birch, or hophornbeam. A firewood cutter would be a good source. The wood should be green and straight-grained, without knots, about 10 to 16 inches in diameter.

Can I use pine for axe handle?

Pine tar, for example, provides mildew protection and extra water resistance, aids with the grip, and gives the axe handle a nice dark color.

Why is hickory good for handles?

The most common wood used to make axe handles is American Hickory. Hickory is used due to its combination of strength and flexibility. Its strength allows it to take massive shocks without splitting or cracking. Other woods used for axe handles include ash, hop-hornbeam (aka ironwood), maple, and white oak.

Who makes the best axe handles?

House Handle Company. Since 1964,House Handle Company is manufacturing handles for a wide array of hand tools which includes axes.

What is the best wood for axe handles?

To find the best wood for axe handle, you need to research well and analyze which suits you the most. Several Scandinavian countries use the birch wood for handles. On the other hand, people also use ash wood as it has longevity. However, most people stated that hickory was the best wood for axe handle.

Where to buy axe handles?

Just do a search on eBay for axe handles.Look at the sellers location for mountains of Tennessee or something like that. The best way to buy a handle is to look at it in the store. Buying online is very hit or miss. I am averaging one good handle for every five bad ones from what I have bought online.

What is a double bit axe handle?

5 Best Uses for a Double Bit Axe. Generally, axes come in different forms, but all with basic parts like a head and a handle. The double bit axe is composed of two blades. One edge is kept in a sharp condition and the other is usually rather blunt as a result of hacking around rocks or dirt. This tool is mainly used by professional lumberjacks.