How Long Will An Axe Last? (Things You Should Know)

Do you want to know how long will an axe last? If the answer to this question is yes, then you have come to the right place. 

A good axe can last your lifetime provided that it is properly sharpened and taken care of after every use. However, if it isn’t used properly and there is no maintenance after usage, then it will hardly last for a month or two depending upon how frequently it is used.

As mentioned, the usage of the axe is the key thing that will determine how long an axe will last. Apart from that, there are some other factors that come into play when knowing about how long will an axe last.

If you are interested in finding that out, then keep on reading!

How Long Do Axes Last?

The length of time that an axe will last depends on several things such as:

1) The Type Of Wood Being Cut

The first thing that matters the most is what type of wood is being cut with the axe. For instance, if you are cutting tough and fibrous trees,it will require much more work.

Under such conditions, if the quality of the axe is not up to the mark, then it won’t last much longer. However, if you are using a high-quality axe, then it should be able to handle those tasks easily.

2) How Often It Is Used

Frequency of the usage also plays a vital role in the lifespan of an axe. If it is used more often, then it will need more frequent maintenance. Otherwise, the tool won’t be able to hold itself any longer.

3) Maintenance

Apart from these three factors, another important factor that determines how long an axe lasts is its maintenance. If the blade is well maintained, then it will last longer than one, which has been neglected.

4) Type Of Wood Used To Make The Axe Handle

Another important aspect that comes into play while determining how long an axe will live is the type of wood used to make the handle.

There are different types of wood used to make handles for axes. If the wood used is softer, then it will tend to break more easily.

5) Quality Of The Axe Blade

The quality of the blade is another important factor that affects the life expectancy of an axe. A poor-quality blade will cause the blade to wear off sooner than a better-quality one. Therefore, I highly recommend getting an axe that possesses a head made of carbon steel or stainless steel. 

These two metals are highly durable and will survive for a longer period of time. However, they may be a bit harder to sharpen as compared to other metal types. But if you already know how to sharpen it, then you shouldn’t worry about a thing. 

Ok, so those were some of the main factors that determine how long an axe will last.

How Do You Keep An Axe In Good Condition?

You must be wondering how can one keep an axe in good condition to make it last longer. Well, there are a few things that you can do in order to make it last longer and keep in perfect condition. 

The first thing is to sharpen the axe every time you use it. If you can’t sharpen it every single time, consider doing it after every 3 – 5 uses. This way, you will prevent the blade from getting dull quickly.

Another thing is to clean the blade regularly. Cleaning the blade helps to remove all the dust particles and grime that may have accumulated over the years. In addition, cleaning the blade prevents rust from forming on the surface.

It is recommended to oil the blade before each use. Oil helps to protect the blade from corrosion and keeps it in great shape.

It is also advisable to store the axe in a dry place away from moisture and humidity. Moisture and humidity cause the wood to swell and expand. This causes the blade to get loose and eventually break.

A final tip would be to take proper care of the handle. If you don’t take care of it, it might crack or split.

This was just a brief overview of how to maintain your axe. It’s a good idea to follow this advice because it will help you to extend the life of your axe.

How Do You Stop An Axe From Rusting?

Rust and corrosion are associated with metal and iron. So, when we talk about stopping an axe from rusting, we are talking about preventing rust from forming on the blade.

There are two ways to prevent rust from forming on the blades of an axe. One is to apply a protective coating on the blade. Another method is to coat the blade with wax.

Both methods work equally well, but the second option is easier to implement. The reason for this is that wax doesn’t require heat while applying it. Wax can be applied by dipping the blade into a melted wax container.

You might be wondering how can oil and wax help in the prevention of rust. Well, the process of rusting occurs whenever iron reacts with oxygen. When oil is applied to the blade, it forms a barrier between iron and oxygen.

This prevents the formation of rust. On the other hand, wax acts as a physical barrier that prevents the penetration of oxygen into the blade.

Can I Leave My Axe Outside?

Leaving an axe outside is not advisable because it gets exposed to rainwater, which can easily penetrate through the wooden handle. Rain water contains minerals, such as calcium and magnesium that react with iron causing rust.

So, it is better to keep your axe inside where it stays safe from weather elements. Apart from that, it will also ensure that the blade of your axe remains dust-free, which keeps it sharp and in perfect condition. 

However, if you accidentally leave it outside then you should double-check whether there is no damage done to the blade. If so, you need to repair the damage immediately. Otherwise, you could end up damaging the entire blade.

How Often Should I Oil My Axe?

Ok, so now you’ve learned that oiling your axe is actually a good thing and can help to prevent rusting. You might be wondering how often should you oil your axe. Well, this is something that most beginners may not know.

Generally speaking, you should oil your axe once every month. However, some people recommend oiling their axes more frequently than others. For example, some say they should oil their axes twice a week while others suggest doing it once a day.

The truth is that it really depends on what kind of wood you are using. Some woods like maple and ash are naturally resistant to moisture and, thus, do not require frequent oiling.

On the other hand, oak and hickory require regular oiling. This is because these kinds of woods absorb too much moisture. Therefore, they tend to rot over time.

If you use hardwoods, you should oil them at least once a month. In fact, you should oil them even more frequently if you have a lot of outdoor activities.

Is Teak Oil Good For Axe Handles?

Teak oil is one of the best oils for axe handles. It’s recommended to use teak oil instead of any other type of oil because it has natural anti-bacterial properties.

This makes it suitable for all types of wood including those used in making axe handles. Also, teak oil does not stain or discolor the wood. It works surprisingly well with most wooden handles. 

However, it is recommended that you clean your axe handle before oiling it. This ensures that the oil penetrates deep into the wood.

Can You Oil An Axe With Wd40?

The answer to this question is no, you shouldn’t use WD40 to oil your axe handle, but you can use it on the bit itself. WD40 is mainly made up of mineral spirits, and it helps lubricate metal parts by dissolving grease and dirt.

It is very effective when it comes to cleaning and maintaining metal parts, but WD40 cannot be used to treat wood.

Also, WD40 is flammable and toxic. So, you must always wear protective gear when working around it. Moreover, WD40 is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns if it touches skin.

Final Words

So the question was: How long will an axe last? The answer is that it depends. Many factors determine its life expectancy. These include its age, material, maintenance, etc.

But the bottom line is that you should never throw away an old axe just because it looks worn out. Instead, you should try to fix it first. You can easily sharpen your axe with just a little bit of effort and make it as sharp as a new one. 

So that’s it and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and found something new and interesting. If you find this article helpful, please share it with your friends and family members. Thank you!