Axe haft grain direction

[Mark82]

Hello all

Having researched a little on-line and studied several old axes and hatchets, I have concluded that opinion is very much divided as to what is the best direction for end-grain in an axe haft (and indeed, whether it matters at all).

I am in need of some opinions from experienced hafters. Front to back, side to side or radial (as in, with the heart of the wood running through the haft)?

As I have experience in bow making, I would be inclined towards the side to side or even radial designs as these would more easily allow the retention of intact fibres over the whole length of the blade-ward face (or back, in bowyer's terms), improving shock resistance.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[rimmer]

im not very experenced eather but on the one axe handle i made i used the radeal aproch and worked very well. it might be worth repeating on the blade foram as im sure your more lightly to get the anseres your looking for or just have a go worst case senareo you have to make a nother one i can think of worse ways to spend my time i hope this helps good luck

 

[Two Socks]

As far as I know, the one on the left is close to perfect

There is quite some information on axes and handles to be found. I`d recommend the stickies that British Red has written in the edged-tools section, he puts it this way:

'Haft grain

A could quality haft should have the grain running straight from the haft toe to the neck and the haft shoulder to the haft heel. A small “wander” is okay, trees are rarely straight but a diagonal grain should be avoided as the haft is likely to split'

I am in no way an expert, but I`ve spend way to much time reading the things written by experts