Caring for your axe

Caring for Your Axe Handle 

Handle care and finishing with Lane Packwood 

A good axe handle changes with use. Over time, the wood develops character from your hands, the work it has done and the care you give it. With some simple maintenance, a wooden handle can last for many years while becoming more comfortable and personal along the way. 

For this guide, we asked Lane Packwood (@Bushcraftsisyphus) to share some of his experience caring for, restoring and finishing wooden axe handles. 

Lane is an axe enthusiast with a particular interest in collecting, restoring and experimenting with old axes. From his workshop in Boise, Idaho, he has spent countless hours working with different handle finishes, edge geometries and restoration techniques. 

Here, Lane takes us through several ways to protect, maintain and bring out the natural character of a Hults Bruk hickory handle. 

Start with the Handle 

Hults Bruk axe handles are made from carefully selected American hickory, chosen with particular attention to grain orientation and runout. 

Our handles are treated with linseed oil before leaving the factory. The oil penetrates the wood and helps protect it against moisture while preserving the natural feel and character of the hickory. 

This factory treatment is worth remembering if you want to apply another finish. Oils and waxes can be used as part of ongoing maintenance, while stains, dyes and paints may behave differently on wood that has already been oiled. 

Hickory naturally varies in colour. A handle may contain lighter sapwood, darker heartwood or a combination of both. These variations are part of the natural material and give every handle its individual appearance. 

There is no need to change the original finish of a new Hults Bruk axe. But as the axe is used and ages, the handle will benefit from occasional care. 

Linseed Oil 

Linseed oil is the traditional choice and the natural starting point for maintaining a Hults Bruk handle. 

Apply a small amount of oil evenly over the clean, dry handle and allow it time to penetrate the wood. Wipe away any excess with a clean cloth and allow the handle to dry thoroughly before using the axe. 

Several thin applications are generally better than one heavy coat. How often the handle needs treatment depends on how frequently the axe is used and the conditions in which it is stored. 

Over time, linseed oil tends to deepen the colour of the hickory and contributes to the patina that develops naturally through use. 

Important: Always follow the instructions provided with the oil you are using. Cloths and rags containing drying oils such as linseed oil can generate heat as they cure and may present a fire risk if handled incorrectly. Dispose of or store used materials according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

Tung Oil 

Tung oil is another traditional drying oil that can be used on wooden handles. 

It provides good moisture resistance and generally changes the colour of the wood less than linseed oil, making it an interesting alternative if you prefer to retain a lighter, more neutral appearance. 

Apply a thin coat to a clean, dry handle, allow it to penetrate and wipe away any excess. Let each coat dry fully before deciding whether another is needed. 

Remember that products sold as "tung oil finish" may contain additional oils, resins or solvents and can behave differently from pure tung oil. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. 

Wax Finishes 

Wax offers a simple way to refresh the surface of an axe handle and can give the wood a smooth, pleasant feel in the hand. 

Apply a thin layer, allow it to set according to the manufacturer's instructions and then buff the handle with a clean cloth. 

Unlike a penetrating drying oil, wax primarily protects the surface and will gradually wear away through use. This means it may need to be reapplied more frequently. 

Wax can also be used over an existing oil finish once the oil has fully cured. 

For an axe that sees regular use, think of wax as an optional finishing layer rather than a replacement for maintaining the wood itself. 

Danish Oil 

Danish oil can be used when you want to bring out more of the colour, grain and visual character of the hickory. 

"Danish oil" describes a family of finishing products rather than one specific formulation. Depending on the manufacturer, it may contain drying oils, resins, solvents or other ingredients. 

The result can be a harder and more pronounced surface finish than linseed oil alone, often with greater contrast in the grain. 

Because formulations vary, test the finish on a small, less visible area first and always follow the manufacturer's application and drying instructions. 

For most Hults Bruk axes, Danish oil is better regarded as an optional aesthetic treatment than necessary maintenance. 

Pine Tar 

For those looking for a more traditional and distinctive finish, pine tar offers another option. 

Pine tar has a long history of use in Scandinavia for protecting wood exposed to demanding conditions. Applied to an axe handle, it can produce a darker colour and a characteristic appearance that continues to develop as the axe ages. 

It is, however, quite different from simply applying a maintenance coat of linseed oil. Pine tar can remain tacky for some time, has a distinctive smell and can significantly darken the wood. 

Different pine tar products also vary considerably, so follow the manufacturer's instructions and test the treatment on a small area before applying it to the complete handle.