Ask anyone who heats their home with wood what the most important (or versatile) tool in their arsenal is and you will get the answer “axe” 99 out of 100 times. The reason for this consensus is that it is justified by experience.
Of course, having an axe on hand also necessitates being able to properly care for it. If you’ve just added one to your shed, and need tips for care and proper use, you’re in the right place; read on.
- Keep the axe sharp. A sharp axe blade is a safe one. Dull axes are liable to glance off of your target and more likely to strike you if you are not overly careful. Plus, it takes less work and less effort to chop and split with a sharp axe. Keep a file or sharpening puck handy and touch up the bit as needed.
- Store the axe properly. You should store your axe somewhere it will not be subjected to extreme temperatures or swings in humidity, both of which can damage not just the handle, but the axe head, by accelerating rust.
- Keep the bit covered when not in use. Cover your bit with an axe mask when the axe is not in use. When the axe is unmasked but not in active use, drive the bit into a chopping block, stump, or other chunk of wood to prevent it from “biting.”
- Keep rust off the axe. Your axe head will form rust if you are not actively careful about preventing it. That requires an equal part of cleaning and oiling, and an equal part of careful storage.
- Oil the axe “blade” periodically. After use, clean and dry your axe head, then treat it with an appropriate oil. Knife, gun and machine oil are acceptable here, but you can use more affordable and accessible options like linseed oil or mineral oil, too.
- And the haft. The haft of your axe should also be oiled to prevent it from absorbing excessive moisture, and to prevent it from drying out, checking, and then splitting. Boiled linseed oil is one of the best treatments, but other good options include beeswax, tung oil, and Danish oil.
- Be conscientious when using the axe. Most importantly, be conscious, deliberate, and careful when using your axe. Make sure no part of you is within the radius of your swing, even if the axe glances. Direct your swings so that even if you miss or glance off of the target, the axe will travel into something safe, like a chopping block, or the ground.
This list is not complete, but it is a good place to start. Observe these recommendations and you will be safer not just in the handling but in the storage of and care for your axe.
Here for a New Axe Blade?
Looking for a new axe to add to your collection? Check out the collection online at True Swords. While they specialize in decorative and battle-ready swords, they also carry a wide range of axes and tomahawks. Visit their website for more information and if you have any questions about anything they sell, get in touch with them directly.
