Axe Care
Camellia oil is a Japanese, plant-based oil that was used by samurai to clean and preserve their weapons. It is used today as a natural, non-toxic corrosion preventative by blade smiths and wood workers. Wipe a little on your axe head to keep it rust-free and ready to use!
Linseed oil is used on the handle to keep the wood from drying out and splitting. Make sure to also apply it to the ends of the axe handle. Be careful with the rag used to apply the linseed oil. Oily rags can self-combust. Air them out to dry or put them in a bucket of water when done.
These oils should be applied to the blade and handle as needed.
We make a handle and axe head wax that we apply to our Allagash Cruiser and Dirigo Belt Axes prior to shipping them out. The handle wax is a combination of beeswax and linseed oil; the axe head wax is camellia oil mixed with beeswax. We sell these waxes as part of our axe care kit.
Using Linseed Oil: