The careful setting of axes and hatchets is essential for the optimal function and safety of forestry tools. Working with a poorly set axe or hatchet is unpleasant and unsafe. The axe head will become loose over time and the handle will break more easily. Precise work is also not possible with a crooked axe head.

In this article, we will give you detailed instructions on how to properly handle your axes, hatchets and other tools.

Why is axe and hatchet sharpening so important?

A correctly fitted tool not only ensures efficient operation, but also greater safety. If the handle is not firmly seated in the head, the axe head can easily slip or even fall out completely, which can result in injury. A well-set tool also reduces the risk of accidents and ensures that you can complete your work with less effort.

You will need the following materials to properly set your axe or hatchet:

Axe or hatchet head: Make sure that the head is not cracked or damaged. We do not recommend shaping damaged heads. It is better to buy a new forestry tool straight away.

Wooden handle: The handle should be made of sturdy, high-quality wood, such as ash or hickory. It is crucial that the handle matches the eye of the axe head.

Handles made from ash wood are firm and elastic. Impacts are cushioned by the wood, which is easy on the joints. A complete breakage of the ash stem is rather rare, but occurs especially when the wood dries out. There is then a risk of injury here from the uncontrolled axe head. Ash handles are made from domestic ash and are less expensive than handles made from hickory.

Hickory is a North American tree of the walnut genus. The wood is perfect for heavy-duty stems. It is firm, flexible and elastic and absorbs hard shocks well. Due to its long wood fibers, it can withstand a much higher load than the already stable ash wood. Hickory handles almost never break completely, providing a safety advantage over ash handles.

Wooden wedges: These allow the wooden handle to mushroom in the eye of the axe or hatchet and ensure that the head sits firmly on the handle.

Impact sleeve: The drive-in sleeve fixes the wooden wedge permanently in the handle of the forestry tool.

Hammer / mallet: To hammer the wooden handle into the head of the forestry tool and to set the wedges and drive-in sleeves.

Cutter knife: To slightly break the edges of the top end of the handle and make it easier to place the head.

File or sandpaper: As an alternative to the cutter knife to slightly break the edges of the upper end of the handle and make it easier to fit the head and for the final fine grinding of the single-edged axe.

Step-by-step instructions on how to handle axes and hatchets

Preparation of handle and axe head

First you need to make sure that the wooden handle fits the eye of the axe head. To make it easier to insert the handle into the axe head, it can be helpful to break or slightly round off the edges of the upper end of the handle using sandpaper, a file or a cutter knife. The axe head should also be well prepared. Clean the axe head carefully and remove any residue and rust from the eye of the head.

Inserting the handle into the axe head

Place the axe handle on a surface at a comfortable working height. Place the eye of the axe head on the handle and press it onto the handle in the correct orientation. Then turn the axe over, place the axe head on a wooden beam or a sufficiently strong wooden board and hammer the handle in piece by piece at a 90 degree angle with a mallet until it is flush with the eye of the head.

Fixing with wooden wedges

Now drive the wooden wedge into the spring of the wooden handle to allow the handle to mushroom and fix it firmly in place. Two wedges may be used for larger axes. A mallet should also be used for this purpose.

Drive in the wooden wedge(s) as far as possible so that they are flush with the handle head. If necessary, grind off any protruding material.

Hammer in the impact sleeve

Finally, use a normal hammer to drive the drive-in sleeve completely and centrally into the wooden wedge. The handle and axe head now form a stable and secure connection.