Do you prefer fiberglass, or the classic wooden handle on your axe?

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Plasmio

Joined
Jun 20, 2012
Messages
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So, do you guys prefer wood or fiberglass for your axe handle? I think that wood looks nicer and gives the axe a classic look, but fiberglass seems to be much more durable even though it often comes in weird neon colors.
 
Wood, it lasts and feels better in the hand.
I think that fiberglass still has to prove itself, seen fiberglass break, it embeds itself in your hands, and how will it hold up to the decades of time.
 
It's the way it feels when it strikes home, just my hand touching wood. Not the same with fiberglass.
 
555 said:
Wood, it lasts and feels better in the hand.
I think that fiberglass still has to prove itself, seen fiberglass break, it embeds itself in your hands, and how will it hold up to the decades of time.
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I agree that it feels better, it just feels more disposable though since you never REALLY know how long a wooden handle will last. I've heard of raw fiberglass easily embedding itself into skin, I've just never heard of anyone's axe handle shattering on them. I'm sure it would suck to have it happen and have fiberglass in your arms and probably your face and chest.
 
Wood only for me. My one experience with fiberglass was not good. It loosened up and it refused to ever retighten. At least you can redo a wood handle like new again.
 
Wood only! I wouldn't use an axe with a fiberglass handle.
A friend of mine has a splitting maul with a BOS fiberglass handle. I make fun of it and him for using it :D
 
I've got a plastic handle on mt Fiskers splitting axe that I like a lot. For traditional axes I prefer wood.
 
Either a polyamide-type handle like on the Fiskers/Gerber models for a "space age" axe or wood on a more traditional one. Or integral steel on my "beater" Estwings. For an axe being used with care (like an axe SHOULD) then wood is the only way to go, in my opinion. Especially for a field axe. But the rigid polymer handles are good on things like splitters (like my Gerber splitting axe) because of the greater chance of overstrikes and general abuse they take, and the Estwings are great when you don't have to carry it on a 10 mile hike and you really absolutely have to destroy something NOW. My Estwing Rigger's Axe gets a workout on the homestead.
 
Wood. It feels better in my hands and better on my arms when using it. Seems to absorb or transfer the shock of a strike better then fiberglass. Also looks better :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Either a polyamide-type handle like on the Fiskers/Gerber models for a "space age" axe or wood on a more traditional one. Or integral steel on my "beater" Estwings. For an axe being used with care (like an axe SHOULD) then wood is the only way to go, in my opinion. Especially for a field axe. But the rigid polymer handles are good on things like splitters (like my Gerber splitting axe) because of the greater chance of overstrikes and general abuse they take, and the Estwings are great when you don't have to carry it on a 10 mile hike and you really absolutely have to destroy something NOW. My Estwing Rigger's Axe gets a workout on the homestead.
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I've been looking at Fiskars axes, they seem good, but it sucks that they for some reason discontinued their 28 inch chopping axe.
 
The vast majority of my axes & hatchets are USA vintage brands...so...

WOOD works for me! :)

Double Ott
 
The glass is ten years old, broke 7 years ago after not much work. The beautiful patina covered hatchet handle is at least 45 years old and has had quite a bit of use. You pick ;-))))

Best regards

Robin

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