How to Re-Handle Axes and Sledge Hammers

Have some extra axe heads laying around? How about sledge hammers. I figured they aren't much good laying around collecting dust and taking up space with no handle on them. They love to be put to work so you may as well slap some new handles on them. Once you do you will feel that wonderful feeling of accomplishment as well as a feeling of being frugal and saving money by not buying a brand new one. There's also a sense of doing something good anytime you repurpose something or extend it's life vs. throwing it into the landfill.

For many of my fellow enthusiasts, refurbishing old axes and woodcutting equipment is very rewarding. It brings new life and purpose to tools that would otherwise be left in their tired and broken state on a shelf somewhere or even discarded headed towards the local landfill. Repair of many types of simple woodcutting tools is fairly inexpensive when compared to purchasing new. Many tools like sledge hammers, axes and picks can last a lifetime and even get passed down from generation to generation, which I’ve personally experienced. In some cases, the repair of these tools is essential to survival because through their use, warmth can be obtained. In other cases, with regards to repair, it can be a matter of having an extra as a backup or just be great pieces for topics of discussion or for display. With regards to axes, if you regularly use your axe than no doubt at some point in the game you’ll be faced with the need to replace your axe handle. Part of the fun in getting into or being part of refurbishing axe heads and handles is learning and knowing what the various types of patterns, shapes and sizes of axes (and other tools) are called. Pertinent to this refurbishment project is some terminology such what is another name or what is a handle (a.k.a. a helve or haft) which is known as the hang. The hang of an ax is always a matter of personal choice. You should hang your ax to suit you. This should be where the head is neither too heavy nor too light, and the axe handle is just the right length for the user. Another feature of an axe head is called the “eye” of the axe. This is the opening in the axe head where the handle fits up into. For axe handle replacement, some of the tools you’ll need are as follows: Vice, Hand Saw, Drill and drill bits, Slotted screwdriver, piece of hardened steel (i.e. cold chisel), and a Hammer.

Amazon (paid) Link to a Set of 3 Extra 19" Hickory Handles for Tomahawks & Axes: https://amzn.to/3DpBxfk

STIHL Axe Handle Replacement

How to replace the handle on your Stihl splitting maul. This has been probably the best splitting maul I have ever owned. Well worth the money that I spent on it. It's the Cadillac for a well seasoned wood chopper. The place I purchased it from guaranteed a handle replacement for life. They made good on their word of replacement. I walked in and reminded them of their lifetime handle replacement and with no questions asked they handed me a new one. Wow. I was pleasantly surprised. Went home and put the new one on. This video shows the step by step process on how I did it. I'm no expert but I was able to figure it out. Back in business! Get you a still hat at this paid amazon link here: https://amzn.to/2Ueq9Mh

Vintage Sledge Hammer Restoration

What's the difference between a wood cutter and a lumberjack? The difference between a lumberjack and a woodcutter is that a lumberjack fearlessly climbs tall trees and removes the top with a deadly chainsaw. He may even eat his lunch up there. A woodcutter drives through the woods, looks for a dry tree that is laying on the ground, bucks it up with his chainsaw and tosses the rounds in the back of his truck. A lumberjack doesn't stack wood. A woodcutter takes those bucked up rounds and chops them with an axe while maybe having a couple beers. When a lumberjack is done with his death defying high altitude tree harvesting he drops to the ground, puts his saw in his truck and goes home. A woodcutter may have to get after the rest. A lumberjack owns spikes and climbing gear. A woodcutter owns Carhart pants, shirt and maybe a. Stihl ball cap. In this DIY Vintage Sledge Hammer Restoration I took this old sledge hammer head and turned it into a brand new sledge. It was one motivated by the fact that I had this old sledge hammer head laying on my shed floor for years but also I got some of my grampa's old axe handles he had in his garage after he passed. Was a fun project and brought pleasant thoughts of my gramps and all of the wood he chopped during his lifetime among other things. Link to new sledgehammer: https://amzn.to/2Wc7Us2

Vintage Iron City Brand Sledge Hammer Refurb

How to Sharpen an Old Hatchet

Please join me on in my How to Sharpen an Old Hatchet Video. While there are other ways and even better ways to sharpen a hatchet, this is how I like to do it in my back yard. Since I do cut a lot of wood it's important for me to have the tools around to get the job done.

Amazon Dewalt Angle Grinder: https://amzn.to/2KU8DtL

Amazon Knife and Tool Sharpener: https://amzn.to/2Sr6w52

Amazon File Kit: https://amzn.to/2VSNXbX