I'm preparing to haft my Albion Kern axe, but I have some questions some of you may be able to answer. I have assumed that the bolts/rivets that secure the socketed head to the haft should pass all the way through the haft and the opposite socket wall. So, there are two rivets, four rivet heads. But that means two holes through the narrowest part of the haft. Is that secure and/or historically accurate? Would it be more accurate/secure to attach the head with shortened nails or screws that do not pass all the way through the haft (four holes in socket wall, four nails/screws)? I could use round-head screws and grind down the slots...I don't know how much stress these bolts are expected to take. Seems like the greatest stress would be on the top of the socket (thrusting,) with less stress on the bolts from pulling motions (probably rare with this blade) and torsion from cutting/chopping (probably substantial). I'm torn, as you can see, and appreciate any advice y'all can offer.

Hi Sean,

I've seen it done both ways, with the rivets passing completely through the shaft and with them going part way through. I think in either case, the most important factor is in having the rivet or nail being oriented at 90 degrees to the grain of the shaft (so it goes across the grain rather than parallel to it). This will keep the rivets from splitting the shaft under stress.

Harlan

Hi Sean,

I've seen it done both ways, with the rivets passing completely through the shaft and with them going part way through. I think in either case, the most important factor is in having the rivet or nail being oriented at 90 degrees to the grain of the shaft (so it goes across the grain rather than parallel to it). This will keep the rivets from splitting the shaft under stress.

Harlan

Thanks, Harlan! That helps me make up my mind. The part-way-through approach would be much easier, I think, and I'm not going to be using this piece for lots of heavy test cutting. I'll try that. Plus, I can always extend the shallow holes all the way through later if I choose to do so, but I can't add wood back to the core if I go all the way through first and change my mind later. A hardwood haft is only about $6, so it's not as if I have much to lose in any case.