Why I Don't Like Paracord/Leather Axe Collars & Handle Breakage
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- These are the reasons why you wont see me using axe collars made of leather, paracord tape etc, especially on felling axes or racing axes. I do like steel collared splitting axes but for most uses the collar gets in the way. But the main thing is failures of the handle can be concealed by a collar meaning you may use the axe despite its unsafe condition. collars can help with abrasion but they will not stop failures such as cracking.
Ive never thought about collars hiding damage...that's a great point!
About grain orientation. I've had 2 handles break, both were with perfect or nearly perfect grain. I have multiple "bad" grain handles that is still in good shape
Good to see you back. When I was younger I saw a pretty dangerous break caused by a similar crack hidden by black tape (my grandad’s favorite). It split off and spun up in the air a few times before landing next to his feet. I’m no sure which I hate more: the paracord or the leather. They both feel awkward as hell to use. But then most of the axes with leather guards I see look like they see more oil than wood.
When I first watched this video I thought you were wrong and I discarded your advice because I liked the look of a leather collar and figured it had to help with protection.
Then I went out and split a round and over struck which damaged the leather so I decided to remove it. What I found was damage to the handle that would have remained hidden… just like you said.
I knew very early on from watching your channel that you were knowledgeable. I could tell that you knew what you were talking about and weren't just some fancy Bushcraft channel spouting nonsense. I am thankful I learned my lesson on the collar before it resulted in worse circumstances.
I appreciate you taking the time to make such valuable content. Despite heating my entire home with firewood that I fell, buck, and split myself for about 10 years now, I can honestly say I have learned a lot from your channel. Thank you and I look forward to more videos!
cheers! glad you like the channel. Do you heat your home with axe cut only wood or also use a chainsaw for the felling and bucking?
@@benscottwoodchopper I cut around 10 rick of firewood per year and use a Stihl MS271 for felling and bucking. I only use an axe for splitting. I typically use an axe for smaller rounds and a maul for larger or tougher pieces. I had been using a Fiskars X27 for years and it works well but given the current state of the world I wanted something I could replace the handle on if need be so I ordered a Gransfors Splitting Maul.
At 35 years old I have found myself more and more interested in older tools and methods of work and that’s how I stumbled upon your channel. I purchased my first true work axe about the same time as the maul, a Hults Agdor 28” Yankee. I actually bought it before I found your channel and was pleased to see it was one of your top recommendations. I found a dealer locally here in the US so I could hand select and I am very pleased with the quality. Looking forward to trying my hands at axe felling for the first time as soon as the weather permits. (Cold and rainy here at the moment)
I've sliced my hands pretty good in the past from not inspecting my handles for cracks. Good point Ben
Good advice Ben, I do however have one axe that would not just grind your gears but probably destroy your gearbox, a SFA with a leather wrap. In my defence its pretty much just an ornament now!
I was just recently considering a paracord wrap on my dedicated splitter, but the idea of not being able to see / inspect damage is a very good point. I think I will leave it as is. Looking forward to the new videos.
I met a guy who used an axe with a completely cracked handle. It was held together with zipties! I give him props for courage.
Probably wont injure him but the poor person standing down range lol
Ben I wrap all my maul and axe handles and have used different materials. I used paracord once and did not like it, as I thought it was ineffective. Wraps do protect handles from overstrike. I put insulating (electrical) tape over the wrapping to ensure that my hand can move freely without resistence. Also at the end of the wrapping I use tape to gradually reduce the height difference compared to the bare handle. As a result there are no sudden high points, and the hand can move unhindered. I accept your point about potentail cracks being hidden. Personally I have found wrapping to be of great benefit in protecting handles, and the benefits outweigh any disadvantages. To each his own, I suppose.
agree. Wraps prolong handle life. keep them to minimum thicknesses.
Very well put, all my axes and hatchets, in my collection, all have collar protection of some kind. You got it right when you said "to each his own" 👍
Agreed. I wrap mine with stainless wire, over leather. I use pliers to get the wire super tight, and then make sure it is clean and coils are tight. Has definitely prevented much damage, and any crack that might be an issue would very likely need to be visible (i.e. below the wrap) to be an issue, as the wire is so tight it would hold it together anyhow. A drawback is I need to curve wire twists into the backside, but they still protrude some. And, in cold weather, gloves are needed if doing fine work. Still, I generally use a knife for fine work, and I pound the twists fairly flat so I can still choke up as needed. I typically don't transition frequently between holds. But I respect those who are experienced enough to not need a guard, and can see the reasoning in this video as sensible for such professionals. Perhaps one day I'll be among them, but am not worried about my solution for now, and expect it could easily outlast me...
I never understood the attraction these soft collars have on so many people. They make the handle bulkier, yet serve zero serious protective or structural purpose. And on slip-through axes, they come in the way of easy taking appart.
Regarding wood grain, the thing is flatsawn planks can experience more shrinkage and cracking if not properly dried than other cuts where the fibers are shorter in the plank because they are more at an angle. Some of these cracks can be invisible, and open up over time/use. But as you state, handles aren't eternal anyway.
Very sound
Great advice, ill be sure to remember to sight the handle before each use.
Completely agree. For splitting axes, steel collar is very good. For chopping axe not so.
Great video. I am interested in the Timbersports training
Well said mate, especially about splitting firewood professionally. Shame to see the kingi go down! Looking forward to the new vids
Its done well, but just goes to show perfect grain and handle quality will still fail after hard graft without overstriking. replacing handles is just a fact of using axes and you can't buy one that will last forever
With paracord, you cannot inspect the handle, but a crack can also occur during use. I don't think it's possible to check the condition of the handle with every strike. Paracord should not be seen as protection against an overstrike, as you mentioned. In that case, the handle could still get damaged. However, it does protect against the inevitable abrasion that the handle undergoes during use. Personally, I have been using paracord on splitting axes for years because it significantly prolongs the lifespan of the handle. I'm not a professional lumberjack, but I have been splitting wood for years as I use it for heating my home. However, I understand your perspective as well.
The exact OPPOSITE of the information I was looking for on the internet.
This said ..... i think you might actually have a point mate. Listening to what you say I'm starting to think that maybe an overstrike-guard is like a plaster. A plaster that reduces the damage the handle takes by maybe 10% at most, but reduces your ability to spot the damage by 100%. Shocking to admit but I never really considered the exact science of the trade-offs. I guess I thought "its protection so it must be good right?" (even though I dont really overstrike, and I know handles wear out, because thats just life.)
I am going to rethink this... thank you Ben. You make a compelling case.
I mean that perfect grain tuatahi handle busted to ahighly dangerous level witjh no overstrikes and barely a hairs width crack to show it, unless its a steel collar it aint worth it
Hmm. I don't think I'll be crossing into realm of large axes. I'm just a fan of tomahawks, and fighting axes. Still, your point stands true even with much smaller heads.
I've used some cast like synthetic material, the same stuff a doctor would wrap around a broken arm/leg to make a collar. You get it wet and it heats & sets really strong like hard woven plastic. I hear what you're saying about being able to inspect the handle. What do you think of this material? Over the cord wrap or leather? Thoughts other than what you already mentioned in video? Thanks
Any hard collar is good on a splitter, just dont see paracord doing much
@@benscottwoodchopper I always thought a soft cord/leather wrap would hardly protect against a decent over strike, comical really
Thinking of heat shrink on a fibreglass one
what a bout a tensioned and glued rawhide collar. i did it on my second handle replacement because i don't use it too often and get a lot of over strikes.
got the idea from SkillCult.
they look pretty good and seems to do as well as steel. one things for sure, it's definitely a lot better than wrapping some soft paracord round the handle
I made one for an ash handle I made that proved to be very soft. czcams.com/video/tnA_yjEnvAg/video.html Check it out if you like. I’m not sure how much protection it offers, but I don’t notice it at all.
I've used linen Bandages and wood glue to good effect after I had a handle crack after lending it to someone and its held up this far and doesnt get in your way when you're using it.
I understand what your saying about being able to see and identify cracks but I'm curious if maybe the Paracord or other stronger wraps might help reinforce the wood to prevent the issue. I am not experienced in cutting wood everyday but I'm curious if anyone has ever had a axe handle crack like yours did and used a wrap of some type to keep it together to sustain them longer
the only useful wraps are made of steel or really thick rubbery material. paracord offers almost no rienforcement
@@benscottwoodchopper I just thought if Paracord with a high tensile strength would be potentially able to add strength but like I said before I'm not experienced in this and I'm just trying to understand why there might be such a trend to wrap a axe if it doesn't add strength
@@wolfsteak Its because it looks good to some. I am willing to bet a large number of people who make axe reviews/instruction videos never really uses their axes. Take wranglestar for example I think he is generally correct about mauls and splitting axes since he actually uses them but never talks about thin handles or grinds since he has never bucked a log on video. Which then leads them to draw the completely wrong conclusions.
Handle cord wraps have been proven throughout history, from Asian swords to European swords, they all have cord wraps to reinforce the handle. When in doubt, don't just take one person's opinion but use your own logic to see for yourself, take a piece of twig and split it in half, now from the two twigs, take one and wrap it in cord and leave the other twig unwrapped. Now try to split noth with just your hands see which one breaks easier the cord wrapped twig or the unwrapped twig. I've seen steel collared axes break and their heads fly off, while the guy that no one wants to get anywhere near from is still splitting wood with his paracord wrapped axe handle with multiple splits in it, wouldn't advise using an axe with a split handle but that just goes to show that there's a reason why humans used cord wraps throughout centuries.
I tought about making something to protect the handle, i never did. Now, years of sparodic chopping and im good enough and dont miss anymore. lol
Leather overstrike covers are laced on and with mine is part of the care and inspection before each use. Loosen the laces slid it down. Inspect the handle and if the head is still hung properly. Sharpen oil and slid the cover back in place tighten the laces and go to work. I am a professional wood cutter as well.
Each to thier own but if you are proffesional why not just use a steel collar?
To be completely honest, I only have a leather guard on my camp axe, and it's mostly for aesthetic reasons. That particular axe is my baby and I have jazzed it up a little more than necessary. All my other axes are as brutal and utilitarian as they come.
Btw, quite something else.
Of the Mora knives.
Do you prefer the 511 or the Companion or 711.
I mean do you like the polypropylene handle better, or the rubber handles.
I see a 511 black red handle in the video.
Doesn't mean you always use that for all tasks..
Me I noticed that the PP handles give less chance of blistering of the skin.
Rubber handles are awesome, I really like them, very grippy, but for cutting tasks taking longer time.. polypropylene is maybe better.
morakniv.se/en/product/pro-c/ this is the one i like best, the handle is nice and the blade lenght is perfect. i have a few other moras which are all good but just this one feels the best for me
@@benscottwoodchopper
Ah, that's the Pro-C.
Part rubber, part polypropylene handle. ( The PP part is ofcourse surrounding the whole tang, and the rubber overmolded)
The blade of the Pro-C is a little wider than that of the red handled 511 carbon.
Interesting.
Aside from the benefits (no blisters) of the all PP 511 handle. I really like the Companion , 711 , but also the longer 731 and the 748MG. It doesn't leave the hand due to the rubber grip. Very nice..
What head is that?
Mine are wraped..so gar no over splitting yet...i dont let anyone touch my axe or saws..
Paracord gets WAY too much silly decorative use. My tools work for a living. if I ever want an overstrike guard I'll cut then weld a gusset to the axe head itself that no reasonably likely human overstrike can bend and not need the handle for anything will leave it exposed for pre-use inspection. I always keep in mind that most tools are as they are for PRODUCTION considerations, for example chisels without integral handles. (That's a major reason I now have a decent home metalworking shop.)
So out of curiosity, if you split so much firewood, have you considered getting a hydraulic splitting machine? Any reason why you have not got one?
The company i work for has a palax processor, still have to do a lot of quartering larger rounds though before they fit
Also, it's fun. Splitting wood with an ax is one of my favorite activities. Intellectually stimulating to read the wood and find the line thru it. Physically stimulating (obviously) by swinging an ax. I dare say spiritually stimulating as well just being outside and enjoying the smell of fresh cut wood.
@@EvanWharton Best reply ever!
Lamo mate
Did you take this video down . Why?
the first upload didn't work properly, the first 30 seconds had no audio
@@benscottwoodchopper
Ah ok. Yeah I remember it now.
Ok...
I though you might have been pissed off because of the England-Italy match.
Some people are like that.. They can get very angry and the frustrations will have their way..
Yeah football hooliganism is a big problem here but i couldn't care less about who wins. Italy played better all tournament and it was well deserved
@@benscottwoodchopper
I had this feeling with Spain as well.
If Spain would have won, I would have peace with it .
Not really for a moment, but they played really well also. Very dangerous at times.
The hooliganism, is awful. It shows that many humans are actually still cavemen..
Very sad .
Yeah it's really pathetic that sports supporters have become 'tribes' that war with each other
My leather hand cover works great for mu carving axe to increase grip. There is never enough force to cause a crack,
90 Percent of the trick is to not buy a handle with cross grain in it!
If you put a proper thick handle on it wont break.😆😆
My father would had loved to fix this handle. Brother and I would go to the ice ring. Bring back home the broken hockey sticks we could find. The longer the split the happier he was. Remove the handle break the handle all the way find the best wood glue you could find. Then glue the pieces together. wrap it using an empty tin can and some nails. You'll be good for several years with this handle. All the best. Some hockey players could make a puck travel over 100MPH.
Give it a try you'll make my father proud.
Not worth the risk, if that handle breaks it could kill someone at a competition or traininf camp
@@benscottwoodchopper just give it a trie
@@marcjoseph8300 no, if that axe breaks its a 5lb razor blade that could hit another athlete or the crowd (which has happened), i aint putting that on my contience to save a stick.
@@marcjoseph8300 Safety first and foremost.