Quick axe question.

[Ben Trout]

I have an axe head in the workshop which could do with becoming a complete axe over this and tomorrow evening. All I have in stock is some Iroko which I'ld like to keep for something else and some Horse Chestnut. So, the question is; is Horse Chestnut any good for a hand axe haft?

 

[robin wood]

No, it is one of the few woods that I would say definitely not. Short brittle grain and very susceptible to rot.

 

[Eric_Methven]

If you can't get hold of a piece of seasoned ash, try B&Q for a pick axe handle (hickory). There's enough wood in a pick helf to make two axe handles.

Eric

 

[Ben Trout]

Thanks for the advice fellas. As it was I failed. I had some green Ash about so tried the microwave drying suggested by Mr Wood some time ago. Seemed to work fine but I didn't finish the handle in time.

If only the pick axe handle plan had occurred to me last Saturday when I was in the gardening bit of a local department store. Good scheme, I may well try that soon.

 

[fishy1]

Thanks for the advice fellas. As it was I failed. I had some green Ash about so tried the microwave drying suggested by Mr Wood some time ago. Seemed to work fine but I didn't finish the handle in time.

If only the pick axe handle plan had occurred to me last Saturday when I was in the gardening bit of a local department store. Good scheme, I may well try that soon.

It must either be a small axe handle or you have a large microwave.

 

[mariobab]

As I think the best axe handle wood in Europe is hornbeam(Carpinus betulus),only wood seriously(also some were made of ash or beech) used In Croatia until hickory came.And superb firewood.