The best steel and wood for an ax

The ax is widely used in various fields. It is found in workshops, in gardens, and is also used as an auxiliary tool. For comfortable use, the ax must be made of high-quality materials, so you need to know which steel and wood are best suited.

Best steel for an ax blade

Carbon steel is considered one of the best materials for an axe. The tool is stronger if quenching and tempering occurs after forging. Many modern manufacturers prefer to use budget steel grades and introduce casting and stamping. The listed nuances affect the quality of the product. The models also include solid stainless steel products.

The following types of steel are distinguished:

1. U8. Iron is present in large quantities in the chemical composition, followed by carbon. Thanks to this combination, the material can be easily forged when heated, and has good wear resistance due to hardening and annealing. The hardness of this type of steel may change when heated, so it is used for tools that will not be exposed to high temperatures. The hardness is also affected by the annealing mode.
2. U2. The number means how much carbon is contained in the raw material in percentage terms. A similar mark is found on axes of older models.
3. 60G. Structural steel, the chemical composition of which contains a high content of manganese. This is what the letter G in the marking indicates.The product is characterized by high wear resistance, hardness, and resistance to shock loads.

Good wood for an ax

The ax consists not only of steel, but also of wood. It also needs to be chosen correctly. Special attention is paid to the direction of the fibers. They should be smooth, without interlacing.

The quality of wood is affected by how it is dried correctly. It is better to choose something that has been processed in a special drying chamber.

It is recommended to use hardwood for the axe.

You should familiarize yourself with the features of each of them:

1. Beech. This wood is easy to process. Durable and hard. When using a beech type for an ax, it is worth remembering that the material strongly absorbs moisture, so its wear resistance may suffer.
2. Oak. This type of wood is characterized by its resistance to stress. Products made from it are reliable and durable. Tolerates exposure to moisture, resistant to the formation of fungi and mold. Does not lose quality characteristics for a long time. Oak wood weighs a lot, so the ax will be heavy, and when working with it there will be a strong recoil.
3. Ash. This type of wood is considered one of the most suitable for an ax due to its good hardness, strength and density. The product can withstand high loads. Ash is an affordable material that can easily be found in a hardware store. Its cost is reasonable - average price category.
4. Birch. Often used for an ax handle. The popularity and prevalence of the material is associated with the low cost of this type of wood and the ease of its processing. Has little hardness. The downside is that there is a high risk of rotting, so it is important that the birch is processed correctly. This will improve its properties.
5. Maple. It is characterized by strength and elasticity.Processing is easy. Maple wood has a soft texture and a beautiful shade.

It is necessary to select steel and wood for an ax based on the described characteristics. It is also important for what purposes and how often the tool will be used. This will allow you to choose the best option.