>>275558>>275156I've seen antique axe restorers using metal wedges (including ring types) but the U.S. Forestry Service say not to;
Article:
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm99232823/page03.htm#hangWebsite:
http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm99232823/toc.htm"Never insert iron, steel, screws, nails, or any other metal object down in the wooden wedge to tighten the handle, even though you see this being done on many factory–handled axes. Epoxy should not be used, either. This advice applies for the entire life of your ax. The metal wedges tend to split the grain on the hickory handle. I can't see any reason why you would want to do that to a properly hung ax.
A loose handle can be temporarily tightened either in the field or in the shop by soaking the head in a bucket of linseed oil. Never soak the handle in water, except for short–term, emergency field tightening. Water will tighten the handle to the head, but the water dries out rapidly, leaving the head looser than before you started. Tightening the handle by soaking it in linseed oil is also a temporary measure. The ax must be rewedged or hung again to keep it tight."
