In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

How do you treat your handles?

Discussion in 'Axes, Mauls, and Hand Saws' started by CoreyB, Oct 2, 2016.

  1. CoreyB

    CoreyB

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Messages:
    1,043
    Likes Received:
    3,419
    Location:
    South east iowa
    I have used boiled linseed. Then a read a mix equal parts boiled linseed and turpentine. It is supposed to penetrate better. It seemed to work well. Then I read that a mix equal parts B.L.O , turpentine , and bees wax. So I tries that and I must of had the mixture off because it left the handles sticky.
    What do you like to use?
     
    Hammy and Well Seasoned like this.
  2. mike bayerl

    mike bayerl

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2014
    Messages:
    3,881
    Likes Received:
    22,115
    Location:
    Central PA
    Buff hard and the sticky should clean up. Any of the combo's you mentioned above will be fine. I just use plain BLO to K.I.S.S.
     
    WeldrDave, RCBS, Hammy and 2 others like this.
  3. CoreyB

    CoreyB

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Messages:
    1,043
    Likes Received:
    3,419
    Location:
    South east iowa
    I ran the heat gun over and ran a Towle over it and it worked in well.
     
    Hammy, Well Seasoned and mike bayerl like this.
  4. A Visitor

    A Visitor

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    217
    Location:
    NJ
    BLO/ Turpentine/ Pine tar in equal portions. I don't know how much the pine tar is different than BLO, but it does add some color and I like the smell. I also have BLO/ Bees wax in a solid that I use with heat on handle, head and leather. Melted the wax , added BLO- poured it into a cardboard tube to set up.
     
    Hammy, Well Seasoned and CoreyB like this.
  5. fuelrod

    fuelrod

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    3,340
    Likes Received:
    19,191
    Location:
    Western Maine
    Oh, you mean hand tool handles.:eek:
    I was thinking of the handles on the tractor loader or the splitter valve:D
    I do my best to keep those tools safely in the shop, well out of the weather, and preferably, unused.
     
    Maina, JIMBETHYNAME, Hammy and 2 others like this.
  6. CTYank

    CTYank

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2014
    Messages:
    360
    Likes Received:
    850
    Location:
    CT Panhandle
    If there are any "fuzzies" on a handle, I use a concave-curve cabinet-scraper on it to smooth them. Any factory lacquer gets sanded off. Then a quick smear of danish oil seals the wood nicely, while serving to reduce any blisters. KISS- that's me.
     
    Hammy, Well Seasoned and CoreyB like this.
  7. Dancan

    Dancan

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2015
    Messages:
    431
    Likes Received:
    2,862
    Location:
    ns canada
    I use linseed oil , teak oil or danish oil .
    Sounds like I might have to try the turp mix next time so I know but so far I'm happy with the above oils , if the finish is tacky I'll leave it in the sun for a couple of days or just use it as is , it's not that much of an issue .
     
    CoreyB and Well Seasoned like this.
  8. ironpony

    ironpony

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    17,507
    Location:
    Mid Ohio




    Funny, every time I buy a shovel or such it is always left handed and I can't use it.
     
    FatBoy85, RCBS, OhioStihl and 6 others like this.
  9. Oldman47

    Oldman47

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2015
    Messages:
    1,798
    Likes Received:
    6,499
    Location:
    Illinois
    I just wipe my X27 clean with a paper towel.
     
    Maina, Rowerwet, reprod and 7 others like this.
  10. CoreyB

    CoreyB

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Messages:
    1,043
    Likes Received:
    3,419
    Location:
    South east iowa
    Don't use pledge! It gets a little crazy. Lol
     
    Maina, Russell, Kg461 and 3 others like this.
  11. Oldman47

    Oldman47

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2015
    Messages:
    1,798
    Likes Received:
    6,499
    Location:
    Illinois
    I bet it does.
     
    Hammy and CoreyB like this.
  12. LodgedTree

    LodgedTree

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Messages:
    2,371
    Likes Received:
    9,420
    Location:
    Maine
    I cleaned an ATV seat one time with Armor All. As I said, ONE TIME!
     
  13. LodgedTree

    LodgedTree

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Messages:
    2,371
    Likes Received:
    9,420
    Location:
    Maine
    As for treating an axe handle, I put it in a bucket of antifreeze. Old loggers tale says the glycerol swells the wood tight against the head, but does not dry out.
     
  14. CoreyB

    CoreyB

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    Messages:
    1,043
    Likes Received:
    3,419
    Location:
    South east iowa
    Humm. That is interesting.
     
    Canadian border VT and Hammy like this.
  15. A Visitor

    A Visitor

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    217
    Location:
    NJ
    An old favorite, always dogs or some other critters running around so not something I would do. There is a product called Swell -loc made for chair rungs that uses dipropylene glycol and is low toxic instead of ant-freeze. I couldn't find it, cost more in small quantities- dipropylene glycol can be found cheap on-line as it is used in perfumes and craft stuff.
    That's more of a loose head fix/ preventive.....better that a half a pound of nails/ screws lol
     
    CTYank likes this.
  16. LodgedTree

    LodgedTree

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Messages:
    2,371
    Likes Received:
    9,420
    Location:
    Maine
    They put additives into antifreeze now that make it unpalatable to humans or animals so as to reduce issues. As long as you use new antifreeze and not something from a few years ago, you are safe.
     
  17. A Visitor

    A Visitor

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Messages:
    62
    Likes Received:
    217
    Location:
    NJ
    Do they have an additive that would keep me from stepping in the bucket? lol That's my luck and I try not to push it
     
    Maina, RCBS and Oldman47 like this.
  18. LodgedTree

    LodgedTree

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2016
    Messages:
    2,371
    Likes Received:
    9,420
    Location:
    Maine
    Nope but they have big warning signs not to leave toddlers around half filled buckets! :) I guess due to a toddlers big head in comparison to their bodies, they can topple in and drown. This is in no way funny because as a sheep farmer I have tons of buckets around and do worry about my 3 year old getting into a sheep's pail and drowning. And you are right about the old antifreeze, I had a sheep wonder into my old sawmill and died a few days later. I suspect she got into some antifreeze since we were in the process of changing out a blown engine. This was old antifreeze though, not the newer stuff.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2016
  19. Ron660

    Ron660

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2014
    Messages:
    177
    Likes Received:
    445
    Location:
    NW Louisiana
    Boiled linseed oil
     
    RCBS and CoreyB like this.
  20. Mr. Twister

    Mr. Twister

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2017
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    152
    Location:
    St. Charles, Ontario, Canada
    A few years ago I stumbled upon a Norlund "Voyager" ax head among some miscellaneous junk...A few days ago I finally decided to carve a handle for it....I had some beech which required some dressing and cherry which was basically ready to go....I realize the beech is a better wood for an ax handle however since this little ax will likely not see too much action, I decided to go with the cherry. The finish is 2 coats of shellac and 3 final coats of urethane. Here are a few pics of the process.....Twister
    IMG_1511.JPG IMG_1512.JPG IMG_1513.JPG IMG_1514.JPG IMG_1518.JPG
     
    Shurdel, metalcuttr, Maina and 23 others like this.