The Zeiger Family Homestead Blog

Of the myriad tasks to be performed on the homestead, there are few I approach with higher hopes, and finish with less satisfaction, than hafting an axe. Luckily, I’m getting better at it. It might even be time to pass on a little of what I’ve learned.

In our disposable society, putting a new handle on an axe is becoming a lost art. While the materials can still be found easily, instructions on the process are harder to come by. The ones I’ve found have been a bit sketchy. They briefly describe a process that sounds easy, but turns out to be a pretty serious chore.

The newly hafted ax, ready for a few more good years of hard use (Photo: Mark Zeiger).

Earlier this week, I broke the head off my trusty child’s ax. I’m not in a position to do without this tool for long right now, with the next firewood cutting season fast approaching. I called Michelle and asked her to pick up a couple of new handles on the way home. I hinted that if she couldn’t find the replacement handles, she could bring home a new child’s ax. They’re useful enough that an extra one on the land would not go amiss. Also, that would excuse me from having to rehaft the old head.

She brought home a handle, so the next morning I set to work. Continue reading →