Protecting axe handle.

[malley]

How many of you use some means to protect your axe handle? Leather collar or cordage of some description? How have you done it and any tutorials?

I have googled it and found one decent YouTube tutorial. Interested to hear what you've done.

Cheers.

 

[ammo]

Inner-tube and paracord, is an option. As is a leather guard, two of mine have a metal collar, riveted on.

 

[sunndog]

Not a fan meself, on a chopping axe it seems like the only thing it really does is serve as a moisture trap

 

[ammo]

Not a fan meself, on a chopping axe it seems like the only thing it really does is serve as a moisture trap

Ay, me too. Both my collars are on my splitter and maul.

 

[sunndog]

Yeah i can see it on a splitter. I had some heavy rubber on one years ago and that worked great, tight enough that it didn't move in use but loose enough that i could just slide it down the haft for storage if it did get wet

 

[SoldierPalmer]

On my carving hatchet I have paracord full length of the haft mainly for grip. Scandi forest axe has a leather collar as I use it for chopping and splitting the collar has already saved it once splitting oak rounds.

 

[Nice65]

Only axe I have with a guard is a Paps Tomahawks shepherds axe, and it's decorative rather than functional.

With regard to the damp problem, could that section of the handle be painted with a polyurethane and then corded or sealed in inner tube?

 

[Shelley]

I have one I made out of leather after watching mqb YouTube vid, easy to do, but mine has stretched a bit and needs to be resized again. Has taken a couple of mis swings but.

 

[malley]

One thing that strikes me is that I'd put the lacing, or whatever means you use to secure the collar, on the inside of the handle rather than the outside. That way your palm would be comfortable on smooth leather and your fingers could grip the inside/thread better. Thoughts?

 

[Nice65]

One thing that strikes me is that I'd put the lacing, or whatever means you use to secure the collar, on the inside of the handle rather than the outside. That way your palm would be comfortable on smooth leather and your fingers could grip the inside/thread better. Thoughts?

On most leather protected axes I've seen, it's just a collar at the head end. With multiple missed hits, the cord would fray. The join isn't the best place to take impact anyway.

 

[malley]

On most leather protected axes I've seen, it's just a collar at the head end. With multiple missed hits, the cord would fray. The join isn't the best place to take impact anyway.

Ok. I was thinking of comfort when doing fine work. Thinking about it again, you're right. It would be more easily damaged at the joint/seam.

 

[KenThis]

I guess I should protect the handle on my axe too.

A couple of questions.
Is it just the front of the handle under the axe head that needs protecting or the sides as well?
Would some cobra knot paracord suffice? I've been making bracelets and find it's a handy way to store lengths of paracord so the axe collar would then have two potential uses!

 

[ammo]

They are placed to prevent, an overstrike impact. So just under the head is good enough.
I have an Estwing Hatchet. I have wrapped the handle in paracord for a better grip, as the metal handle is thin and cold.

I guess I should protect the handle on my axe too.

A couple of questions.
Is it just the front of the handle under the axe head that needs protecting or the sides as well?
Would some cobra knot paracord suffice? I've been making bracelets and find it's a handy way to store lengths of paracord so the axe collar would then have two potential uses!