I've been reading about them some and they seem like a great idea.The high end European aves and maul have them from the factory. I've see videos on rope and epoxy wrapping and metal forming.Both look good but I'm not very experienced with metal shaping. I'm thinking of a leather wrap on my new CT 8lb axe eye maul and rope or rubber collar on another sledge eye I have. Any experience and advice welcome
I think that what ever you choose to put on there will help some. The metal would probably be best but anything would help. I have thought about using parachute chord and keeping it in place with epoxy. I have done some places on the handle where your hand needs a good grip that way.
I use Fiber Fix to protect the handles. Easy, no mess- very tough stuff. I sanded it down but on this maul, don't even bother anymore.
I found some at Lowe's for $6.99 a box. It was in the plumbing repair section. Very easy to use, as you said. I did my sledge handle, which had some splinters right below the sledge head. There was only enough material to wrap one tool. But the package said that once you open the sealed pouch, you have to use it right away. I really like how it came out, I think I'll get some more, for a few other handles. This is my favorite type of sledge. I don't like the modern ones that have this shape: They are lighter than the old-style 8 pound ones, and the strike surface is convex, so the impact feels sloppy.
On some of the newer sledge designs I have ground the face down some to get a more flat surface. Like you Midwinter I do not like that rounded surface.
When I first started splitting by hand and was nowhere close to dialed in on targeting I used a hillbilly handle protector. I took a 8" chunk of old radiator hose and slid it on and taped it into place. Worked well and was easy to remove once my aim was dialed in and I was more confident.
