How to Safely Store An Axe: Care, Maintenance & Protection

For every axe user out there, storing an axe is an important part of axe care. After getting done with splitting, you can’t just throw it away until the next use. If you do so, it won’t last more than a few uses. You need to learn how to safely store an axe, to protect it from rust, moisture, and damages.

Bottom line – Unless you’re a carpenter who can split without axe, you need to learn proper axe care.

In this extensive guide, we have solely focused on this topic and grabbed some really cool tips. Take a few minutes of break from whatever you are doing, and let’s proceed-

Things to do for Optimal Care While Storing The Axe

There are a number of works that need to be done in this regard. Have a look at them one by one-

Oil the Axe Head

Axe head is something that is directly exposed to air, and it doesn’t have a coat or so. So, while the axe is not in use, it’s important to oil it up for creating some protective layer.

A layer of oil or grease will protect direct contact between the axe head and the air. This will not let the moisture to get in touch with the metal, and prevent rust buildup anyways.

By the way, if you’re storing the axe for a long time, don’t use the same oil or grease for a long time. Because oil and grease get dried up soon.

Here is the list of the best oil for axe head-

• 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil
• Permatex 81343 Anti-Seize Lubricant

Store the Axe in A Leather Made Sheath

Apart from the coat of oil or grease, there are some other ways to cover up the axe head. One of the most common ways is to use a leather sheathe.

A virtue of leather made sheath is, it prevents any kind of damage towards the axe head. Also, a naked blade of an axe might be cautious and dangerous for children, pets, and even the user himself.

So, from every viewpoint, using a leather sheath is a must-try action to protect and maintain an axe.

Here is a list of our recommended 5 best axe sheath–

• Helko – Premium Leather Axe Sheath
• YAE Axe Sheath for Husqvarna and Gransfors

Build a Storage Rack for Your Axe

This is the third and the most important part of this list of axe maintenance tips. To make sure your axe is properly placed into somewhere safe, nothing is a better alternative of an axe rack.

Now the big question is- how on earth you will make your own axe rack?

Well, there are quite some DIY processed to do that. Here we go-

Step 1:

Find a suitable place in your garage or wood store to build up the rack. It won’t take that much space to the house itself, but it has to be somewhere which is isolated.

You can try doing it on a shelf onto your wall. But make sure that the wall has a notch that is wider than the handle.

Step 2:

Gather up some wooden blocks which are around half inches in thickness, and a little longer in height compared to the axe handle. Cut and smoothen them up into shapes.

Step 3:

Now, you have to joint the wooden pieced into the whole rack. Now, you can make the rack into one layer, or into two layers. If you make it as one layer, the placements of the axes won’t be that stable.

So, we would rather suggest to make it into two layers. It will securely hold the position of the axes.

Step 4:

After making the rack, check that every corner has a strong joint. If you plan on storing more than 3 axes in the same rack, having strong joints is a must.

Step 5:

So, you should be able to get done with the making process by now. Now it’s time to put the axes on the rack.

Before that, make sure you’ve provided enough amount of the coat with oil or grease. Also, ensure that you’ve put the leather sheath onto the place.

Once done, align the axes in a row onto the rack. If it’s a wall mount rant, ensure that the handle and head had been put into the right notches.

You can also buy a ready-made axe rack or tool hanger. Here are some of our top-rated picks-

• Tool Racks For Garage Walls
• GEMPLER’S Wall-Mounted Steel Tool Storage Rack for Safely Hanging

Tips for Storing the Axe in a Safe Place

We assume that you’ve already made your plan to build an axe rack for storing the axe safely. But here are some crucial tips that will save you time, money and reduce risks.

1. Build the rack around a furnace. This protects the axe blade from becoming rusty. The area around the furnace is hot, so the air will be free of moisture. Moisture seeps into the metal, and causes it to rust. By storing the axes above the furnace, you will avoid moisture problems.
   
   
2. Keep it in a safe place, out of the reach of kids and pets. In addition, use protective gear to make sure it is hazard-free.
   
   
3. Store it in an open area, preferably next to a window. The airflow will prevent moisture from building up on the axe.
   
   
4. There are many different parts on an axe. The main parts you want to protect are the head, the sharp edge, and the handle.

Bottom Line

To ensure top-notch safety and axe care, you have to concentrate on every detail of the process. Make sure you’ve used top quality grease, put on a good quality sheath, and make the axe rack quite strongly.

If you are not that much of a DIY person, you may consider buying ready-made axe racks from the market.