Learn how to make the fastest and cheapest axe handle guard. I wrapped the axe handle with a paracord in just a few minutes. Can't say I'm a fan of wrapped handles but i needed a quick solution that can be changed at any time with minimal cost.
I’ve found them to be quite helpful as I improve my axecraft. I’d rather damage a piece of paracord on an overstrike than my axe handle.
Wrapping an axe handle with paracord is simple and an effective solution for protecting the handle.
What's your favorite way to protect your neck?
Steps to Clean and Maintain Your Axe :
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✔ Prepare the axe head by removing any rust that may have developed. This can be done with a green pot scrubber and a mild acid (vinegar). For deeper rust, steel brushes can be used. Wipe and dry the head when finished.
✔ Prepare the axe handle by cleaning (with a moist cloth) and drying it. Fine grit sandpaper can be used to remove any ground-in dirt, or surface material.
✔ The wood will absorb oil better if it is warmed, so the best time to treat a handle is on a warm sunny day (in summer), or a bright sunny day (in winter).
Wrap the handle in paper towel.
✔ Pour a small amount of oil onto the paper towel/handle until the paper towel is saturated with oil.
✔ Put oil and saturated paper towel around the top (above the eye) of the handle, and around the knob (bottom) of the axe. Both of these areas feature open grain, and are the most susceptible to water penetration, and so must be well oiled.
✔ Rub the saturated paper towel over the length of handle, and then wrap like a mummy in the paper towel.
✔ Leave the handle on a window ledge in direct sun (winter), or outside in the sun (summer) for 1 - 2 hours to allow the handle to warm and absorb the oil.
✔ Flip the axe over, and repeat for the second side.
When finished, wipe down the handle with more paper towel or a clean cloth.
OPTIONAL: As the oil will leave the handle feeling smooth, to increase the "grippiness" of the handle, you can apply bee's wax to the handle to provide a tacky surface.
To oil the head of the axe, simply spray on a few squirts of gun oil to each side of the head, wipe lightly to spread evenly, and then place head down on a small piece of cardboard and allow the oil to dry for 1 - 2 hours. Do not wipe off excess oil when finished.
To treat the leather sheath, wipe with a moist cloth, and allow to dry. Rub a generous amount of Leather Better into the leather on one side, and place in the sun. As the leather warms, it will absorb more of the Leather better. If leather absorbs all of it, apply more, until the leather no longer absorbs all of the paste.
Flip over and repeat on the other side.
Once done, wipe off the excess paste, and buff with a clean cloth.
Your axe is now full prepared for it's next set of adventures.
📢 bushcraft outings where i used axe :
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✔✔ Permanent shelter : • Bushcraft camp : perma...
✔✔ Winter shelter : • Winter Bushcraft in a ...
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✔✔ Military shelter ( polish lavvu tent ) • 2 nights bushcraft alo...
✔✔ Army shelter, polish lavvu tent : • 2 Days Bushcraft Alone...
✔✔ Natural shelter : • SOLO Two Days Winter S...
✔✔ Bushcraft shelter : • Bushcraft shelter over...
✔✔ Poncho shelter : • Solo Bushcraft : Last ...
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