I broke my trusty axe handle today. I was wondering if composite/ fiberglass or whatever they are are more durable than hickory? I use it for splitting logs. I also use an Oregon splitting maul with a wooden handle but the shaft on that is more like the one you'd find on a sledgehammer.

Just ask yourself, what would Ray Mears do.

Got to be wood imo.

I have to say I like the feel of the wood. I wipe the shaft from time to time (ooh err missus) with linseed oil. Its a bit of a faff fitting another handle to the existing head.

My fibreglass splitting maul is still going strong.

Its a bit of a faff fitting another handle to the existing head.

Tap new shaft into head from the reverse, ensure good snug fit, trim, whallop dogs into exposed shafthead. Not that difficult surely?

http://www.toolfastdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Axe_Shafts.html
it seems silly to buy a new one when you can replace the shaft easily.

The last time I fitted a shaft to a head, there was a missmatch and I spent ages fitting one to the other. It lasted twenty years so it was time well spent.

The fibreglass ones are very good.

Unless you're an axe master you always end up damaging the shaft.

Wood is nicer, for sure, but composite ones last much longer.

SB

EDIT: Hang on. 20 years? You's an axe master 🙂

I have to say I like the feel of the wood

Wish my wife felt the same way.

after years of working with both composiet fiberglass just works so much better stonger and you dont have as much wrist ache by friday (dont read that last bit wrong you dirty bastards)

can't be that trusty, can it?

As far as I've ever been able to tell, they're pretty much interchangable, though composite is a bit dependant on the quality of the grips surface. Then I've only ever done fairly short spells with either so if there's a long term benefit I'd not have felt it.

But wood is better for the soul.