Working with timber requires a solid axe with an excellent handle. After several years of hard service and neglect, my own axe collection is practically begging for some much needed restoration. In preparation for the work coming this summer and fall, I set out to rive out my own axe handle blanks.
The first block looked somewhat like hickory, so I tried it. Without seconds, I knew it wasn’t hickory. However, I was invested and decided to work up what I believe is a wood species rarely found in my native region near the coast.
While in the woods, I took the time to finish splitting an oak log into fence rails. When finished, they looked very much like those seen in 19th Century photographs. Just a few hundred rails to go!
Seeking out the remains of a hickory tree I had taken down a couple years ago, I found it in a questionable condition. Splitting it, I quickly surmised that it was in no condition to serve as handles or anything else really. It’ll make a very poor firewood at best.
We’ll return to the woods soon to continue our work in refurbishing our axes. Time is growing short so it is.
6 окт 2024
