Straighten a bent axe handle?

[Mel Miller]

I found a NOS falling axe handle. It's 42" long and has chamfered edges, making it very desireable to collectors. Problem is it's bent about 3/4" and I'd like to straighten it out.
Anybody here have any experience along this line short of setting up a steam box? It looks like hickory possibly.

Mel

[Bob Smalser]

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/21637099/356506370.jpg

It's the heat, not the steam.

Use hot peanut oil (doesn't smoke) to heat the section you want to bend after wrapping it in cheesecloth to prevent charring by preventing dry spots. The clamp-on heat lamps add to the heat. You want 190-200 degrees for five full minutes before attempting to bend the wood. If it doesn't bend, keep heating and trying. The wood will let you know when it's ready.

Overbend by no more than 1/4", as the wood's lack of springback might surprise you. If you get it wrong, you cam always reheat and bend it again.
The jig doesn't have to be elaborate. For your purpose a couple 2X6's clamped to your workbench top will work.

[Mel Miller]

Thanks Bob, that looks like it would work, but I'm not sure I want to soak the handle in oil at this point. I'd like to straighten it dry if possible.

Mel

[Bob Smalser]

Oil is used to protect the varnish on a finished gunstock.

As I said, it's the heat, not the steam. Use the tight cheesecloth wrap to prevent charring fromt he heat lamps but try boiling water instead.

[Tim Atkins]

Are you sure that it is not suppose to be that way ? Is it bent like a hewing axe handle?

[Mel Miller]

I believe all the falling axes had straight handles. I've seen other falling axe handles that were bent from leaning up against the wall for many years.

[Bob Smalser]

I have a couple of the original lightweight heads...western falling axes had shallower heads than Michigan Pattern axes...but no proper handles. The originals were made of hickory and ash, and we don't have those here other than the junk full of grain runout sold for the hobbyist trade.
42 inches is a long one.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/3075040/398293203.jpg

Today's falling axes in the days of chain saws are short, thick and heavy. They are designed to drive wedges, not fall trees. I always buy new ones for the crews of the larger jobs I supervise as end-of-job gifts.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/3075040/398293429.jpg

[Mel Miller]

Now, I need a NOS or really nice Puget Sound style head for this handle. Something over 13" wide, like those in the picture, long & narrow. I have a fairly nice 12 1/2" Zenith already, but something wider and nicer would be great to find.

[ray hampton]

Now, I need a NOS or really nice Puget Sound style head for this handle. Something over 13" wide, like those in the picture, long & narrow. I have a fairly nice 12 1/2" Zenith already, but something wider and nicer would be great to find.


axes with a 10 or wider blade is call a broad axe and were use to hew the logs from end to end, I do not recall of seeing a straight axe handle except when looking at the handle from the top, a handle that curved to the side would be dangerous to use

[Bob Smalser]

Apples and oranges.

This well-worn Homestead pattern falling axe head is 11" X 4 1/2" with a 46" handle.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/3075040/398294085.jpg

[Mel Miller]

axes with a 10 or wider blade is call a broad axe and were use to hew the logs from end to end, I do not recall of seeing a straight axe handle except when looking at the handle from the top, a handle that curved to the side would be dangerous to use

These, and the 2 in the old logging picture posted above by Bob are falling (felling) axes and had long straight handles. The heads on these are 12 1/2" & 12 3/4" wide after being used for some time.

Broad axes are a different shape and frequently had purposely bent handles for hand clearance when planing the sides of logs.

Mel

[Bob Smalser]

Here's an old lightweight Zenith that's in not too bad shape.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/3075040/398294403.jpg

[Mel Miller]

Here's an old lightweight Zenith that's in not too bad shape.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/3075040/398294403.jpg

How wide is that one Bob?

Mel

[Bob Smalser]

12 1/4" by 3 1/2"

[ray hampton]

12 1/4" by 3 1/2"

I were taught to start with the smaller measure first, the second number would be 3 1/2 ", third # will be 12 1/4 "

this is not bad for a double edge axe

[Tim Atkins]

I am really glad I asked the question. But I have a feeling it will cost me some money. Now that I know what a felling axe looks like. I know I will find one and have to have it. Before it was just an old axe. A little bit of Knowledge is dangerous and expensive.