Question about axe/tomahawk handle fitting

[borrowedtime69]

Hello everybody, hope your summers going well!

I have a question about the particulars of having an axe, CRK&T Berserker Axe seen below:



I know that you smack it on a hard surface to seat it firmly but not permanently. I've had to seat it twice now after buying it almost 2 weeks ago. There is less of the top of the hickory handle than before. If I keep going, will it slip off soon? I know that in the old days this was how tomahawks were seated, #o you think keeping it like that or should I pin it in place?

Thank you!!!

 

[Mk-211]

Check this out.

 

[ms6852]

Soak it over night in water so that the wood swells or you can wrap a wet leather shoe lace at the bottom and that will hold it in place. In your case since you have lost part of the top of the handle I would do both.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would not pin it as it will likely wobble on that pin in time. Usually, not a good option.
It would be really rare for you to use up all the handle unless CRKT QC has fallen a lot as it gets larger near the end (if done right)

I would take the head off and see if you have any high spots on the handle that could be knocked down to allow for a better fit. Of course, don't take off much. Also, inspect the inside of the head to make sure it is shaped correctly and doesn't have some missed metal flashing that needs to be removed. As a friction fit, the more even contact, the better.

Some of it is just the nature of the design, with a little fitting you may be able to improve it but as humidity changes it may loosen.

You don't want to fix it to that handle as a gain to the design (not common in today's world) is that if you broke the handle you could easily shape another one to slide the head onto. If you put a pin or some fixing device in the mix you may literally but stuck with it out in the woods with no way to remove that pin and a broken handle.

 

[IlikeSA]

I have a Cold Steel hawk that does the same thing. It will eventually fit correctly. It only occasionally pops loose if thrown. Mine has had the same handle 20 years.

 

[Armored farmer]

I wouldn’t pin it. I like the above suggestions.

 

[hso]

https://black-bear-haversack.com/catalog/product/view/id/642

 

[borrowedtime69]

Awesome, thanks everyone! I've never had an axe or tomahawk like this so I have no idea about the design aspects and longevity.

As the axe head isn't just flat all away around, it has a higher center and lower front & back on the.... "crown?" I have about a 1/4" on the back of the head and about an 1/8th in the center where the crown peaks.

As you've said, it'll probably be ok, I just didn't know what to expect. Thanks again all!

 

[JohnKSa]

If it ever does get to the point that the handle is flush with the top of the head you can drive in a small wedge to tighten things up. Just don't do that until it's completely flush--which probably won't ever happen.

 

[Kingcreek]

Don’t pin it and Never soak it with water to tighten it.
You can use an oil like Watco danish or Fidde’s hard wax oil or just regular boiled linseed oil on the wood.

 

[JShirley]

You can fasten it securely in place IF you never plan to throw it.

 

[hso]

You can fasten it securely in place IF you never plan to throw it.

Or hitting anything with it.