I'm pretty new to trying to mill and make my own handles out of trees i fell, but im gravitating towards "burn everything" haha. Especially since im always leaving axes and such in the dirt randomly
Woods like ash and hickory aren’t typically available in regular dimensional lumber sizes but you can use any wood to experiment if you’re getting started. I buy my ash in 5/4 x 5 or 6’
It’s not Purple heart. It’s ash with a color shift purple and pink dye with clear coat. But I do have big pieces of Purple Heart and they’re available locally in Minneapolis from Forest Products.
Hey Axe Man Mike. First, thank you for the compliment. Overall about 3 hours. I have a video on the process and tools. On these WATL throwing axe heads heads the logo has to be removed with a grinder or belt sander and the surface smoothed. On vintage heads often times the pitting smoothed too. The next step is sanding from 80 grit to 3000. That’s the must important step. Then I use a course Sisal buffing wheel with emery compound, then a medium and fine wheel with Fabuluster white compound then I use car wheel polish on a soft pad.
Beautiful work Brad! I appreciate you sharing your masterpieces with us!! Your talent and attention to detail is exquisite!! I hope I can acquire polishing skills such as this, someday! May I ask- how long (how many hours) does it take you, on average, to achieve a polish such as this? Thanks for your time and have a wonderful day!! Greetings from the PNW! 🇺🇸 🪓🌲🪓🌲
Some of my favorite handles I have are red elms from Killinger I burnt. I have a 28 in Adirondack cruiser on a FSS True Temper that is hands down my favorite db
Outstanding! Your video is exactly what I have been looking for. I am in the process of creating my first hatchet handle and I have seen this cross wedge on other videos, but none compare to the excellent detail you provide. I thought I was ready to start, until watching your process. I was not, but now I am. When you were hitting that cracked main wedge, I was shitting on the edge of my seat, hoping it wouldn't break off. Thank you sir. Sitting on the edge of my seat. lol
Thank you for a very detailed and comprehensive video. Have been restoring old axes for a couple years and have found each one a new learning experience. It is a much deeper subject then I thought when I first started for sure. You helped to remove alot of the mystery involved. Well done!
Hi, you can burn a handle with the head on, but because the metal absorbs the heat near the head you’ll typically get a band of un-burned area just below the head. Remove all lacquer first
Did you do a video on the antiquing? Im about t attempt my first hang on an old double bit and i don't want a rustic head and nice pretty handle. I have an idea of what to do but can always learn.
Hi Bryan, Thank you! You can email me at axenutbrad@gmail.com Or click the contact link from my website www.axerevival.com I have a camp carver head in stock so happy to put one together for you.
I can appreciate the CRAZY amount of labor that goes into that process! You are a MASTER! WOW! It is SO gratifying giving NEW life to old steel, isn't it? I restored a Kelly Red Warrior double bit, that my late father had gifted me years ago...wanted to make him proud (even though he's gone)! I had so much joy & fulfillment doing it, I've become obsessed with giving old axes a NEW beginning! Thank you, SO MUCH, for sharing your secrets in this wonderful niche of axe revival! You are a true inspiration and your works of "art" are the BEST I've seen out there! 👏🪓❤
This deserves more wives. Really weird thing about the eye though. Did I get right that you are used to it being wider at the top? I wonder if it's north America thing because all the axes I've encountered living in Sweden are widest at the bottom, usually more or less hourglass shaped though.
