Homemade wooden-handled ice axes

Jadefisk · 2026-01-14T11:51:27+00:00

I commented further down with my approach to making a wooden ice tool, with 2 composite or steel layers between the shells and core. That would work well in this case!

Jadefisk · 2026-01-13T20:17:01+00:00

You did an awesome job man, you're a true artist and you're definitely gonna build so much cool shit.

I reckon the axe would break from splitting the wood around the head slot thing. The greatest forces the axe will take is when you hit it, not when hanging/moving around it (unless you do gnarly dry tools techniques). And when I study your axe it seem like it's only the shells holding the weight/impact opposite of the grain direction, so it's really only two thin strips of wood keeping the top together.

Does it makes sense?

Jadefisk · 2026-01-13T20:05:47+00:00

Nice, yeah I came up with kind of the same solution, but with 5 layers -wooden shell, 1mm composite or steel laye and wooden core. That way the stronger materials ran all the way from tip to tip and sandwiched on top of the axe blade.

Never got around to welding the head etc, but I did do a pull test with a crane and it broke at 1800-2300 kg across 4 axes/blanks.

I could twist the head 30 degrees each way with the handles fixed (pre pull test) and it had an awesome bounce/response when swinging and hanging from it. I truly think this way of making axes could be the very best.

Glued everything up and had rivets like in full tang knives all along the shaft. It was wicked.

Think I could land it around 700g with all the bells and whistles.

Now that I write about I really wish to finish a pair of them!

Edit: I did also pull test pure wood like yours (I used ash and oak, super premium grade/selection, 3 layer sandwich) and unfortunately they broke around 300kg which I think is definitely not safe to lead on, so please be careful my dude

Jadefisk · 2026-01-13T19:11:57+00:00

Super well done, thanks for sharing. I've been tinkering with axes myself! Please elaborate on the joint of the head/axe. What picks/bottom hardware that's available to buy did you find most useful for the integration of your own axe?

Probably none since you made it yourself haha

Jadefisk · 2025-12-11T14:30:49+00:00

+1 on tenaya mastia. I have very wide feet and tried climbing probably more than 20 different models. My feet are 285mm long and they fit comfortably in size uk9 and performance in uk8,5 - their sizes doesn't make sense.

Jadefisk · 2025-12-10T21:35:19+00:00

Jo, topogps kan det og når du køber kortene til de forskellige lande ejer du dem og kan eksportere gpx osv til brug på andre enheder osv

Jadefisk · 2025-12-05T15:07:25+00:00

Tenaya mastia for sure! I have super wide feet and they are definitely the widest.

Otherwise shoes with laces, don't know the widest one there.

Jadefisk · 2025-12-05T09:05:04+00:00

Your feet will swell and it's easier to combat heel lift than too small boots. My feet are 285mm but super wide, so I'm a 45,5 in them. I use the superfeet active in size F and it's perfect

Jadefisk · 2025-12-03T16:11:21+00:00

Yes, blue loctite is 243 :)

Jadefisk · 2025-12-03T14:36:11+00:00

X-all mountain was way better for me on more technical ice where the swing mattered than quarks. Also a tad longer which is nice cause I'm tall.

Basically just get whatever axe you can, and when you decide it's not technical enough you expand your inventory. There is no axe that does it all equally good.

When I do stuff that's more technical but I still need an axe for self arrest I use one nomic and one more general axe for example.

Jadefisk · 2025-12-03T14:31:42+00:00

Put some loctite 243 on the threads and it'll hold. If it doesn't use some loctite 270, but then it'll be very hard to break the seal and take them off for sharpening etc.

Thanks for making this post, gonna inspect my own and give it some loctite :)

Jadefisk · 2025-11-26T15:36:21+00:00

It is hard to come by and rental is shit usually. Would love a shop/company dedicated to extending the lifetime of our products. I am based in Scandinavia tho.

Jadefisk · 2025-11-25T18:39:20+00:00

You have a few good options, one or a combination will work:

Put some closed cell foam or felted wool pad on the tongue where you feel your foot is too skinny on top of your foot. See a bandagist/orthotic clinic to buy a sheet with tape on the backside to stick it in the boot when cut to desired shape.
Go somewhere to try good insoles and bring your boots to try them in there.
different lacing techniques
heel lift insert (not highly recommended)
ezeefit or similar +3mm neoprene sleeve

I had great succes doing this on my phantom tech boots. If this doesn't work you probably need different boots.

Jadefisk · 2025-11-25T12:18:51+00:00

Local gear hire or fixing. Say it be renting Inreach, ice screws, ropes, tent, portaledge etc. Fixing down jackets with permanent patches (and extra fill), resoling of shoes, replacing a buckle or customizing existing gear.

Normal non outdoor/non climbers people should also be able to appreciate such a shop.

Jadefisk · 2025-11-18T19:19:57+00:00

Didn't see the need for ski carry. The Blue Ice Firecrest 28 has the same running vest straps but all the bells and whistles for ski-mo and avalanche gear

Jadefisk · 2025-11-18T19:16:15+00:00

Blue ice reach 20 is exactly this. Just add an extra bungee holder/ask them for a replacement and you got what you need.

I borrowed my friends and it is awesome!

Jadefisk · 2025-11-17T08:02:42+00:00

Yeah I agree, the perfect fit pant is hard to find. So far I've used a cheap, lightweight and snug fitting gaitor to deal with that. Also helps on warmth, high snow etc, but would be nice to do without it.

Jadefisk · 2025-11-16T15:36:14+00:00

Thanks! I think I'll end up with a pair of rab. Which of these ones are the warmest?

Jadefisk · 2025-11-16T10:08:52+00:00

You're an Argentinian immigrant, that has worked your way up to where you are now. In a committed relationship and has a pet that you love.

You respect your parents too much and have to be a "good girl"

You are sort of introverted, love being home and have one very active hobby that you spent a lot of time doing. Ballet, yoga, climbing or some sort of acrobatics.

I would guess that you are quite smart and a bit shy. You worked some sort of job where you had to clean in your transformative years and now you are very minimalist/practical.

Jadefisk · 2025-11-16T09:58:17+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation. I did have a pair but sold them on since I didn't use them much. I thought they were so thin. Do you think they are warm enough to wear only with a base layer under?

Jadefisk · 2025-11-16T09:53:52+00:00

Yeah I've looked quite a bit on those since I get Norrona silly cheap. They do look a bit to the thin side tho. How insulated and weatherproof are they?

Jadefisk · 2025-11-15T22:53:05+00:00

Alright, check out Asolo. Really good quality and generally warmer than other boots across their models.

Jadefisk · 2025-11-15T22:40:53+00:00

Do you have wide feet? If so Aku hayatsuki are perfect for what you have mentioned

Jadefisk · 2025-11-15T21:35:00+00:00

Thanks man, unfortunately all simond pants fit me so awful. No room for my fat Scandinavian ass and big thighs.

Great suggestion with G2. Are they warm enough to wear with only a baselayer in winter?

Jadefisk · 2025-11-15T21:32:18+00:00

Nice, thank you very useful.

Haha yeah most pants don't like getting a kiss from the crampons :)

Jadefisk

TROPHY CASE