How to Store an Axe

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 17, 2021 References

A high-quality axe can last you a lifetime, provided you take care of it properly. Give your axe some care before you put it in storage to make sure all its pieces stay in great condition while it’s tucked away for a while. You’re sure to appreciate the extra effort you put into caring for and storing your axe the next time you pull it out to split some logs!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Pre-Storage Care

1
Oil the axe head before you store an axe for an extended period of time. Always oil your axe before you put it away for the wood chopping season to prevent rust from forming while the axe isn’t in use. Use a general purpose oil like 3-in-1 oil or or an oil meant for metal parts like quick-drying gun oil.^{[1]
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2
Wipe off dirt and moisture with a clean rag dampened in the oil you’re using. Grab a clean, dry rag and pour enough oil onto it to dampen it without making a mess. Rub the oil all over the blade to clean it off.^{[2]
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- Never use water to clean off an axe head or it’s more likely to rust.
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3
Scrub off any rust that’s already formed with steel wool. Wipe off any excess oil with a clean, dry cloth. Rub a piece of steel wool vigorously back and forth over any rust spots until they disappear.^{[3]
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- The steel wool also works the oil into the metal to protect the cleaned areas from rusting again.
4
Work the oil into the axe head with your fingers. Carefully rub the oil into the metal by moving your fingers in back and forth and circular motions. Make sure you coat the whole head, including the top, bottom, and both sides. Wipe off any excess oil with a clean, dry rag.^{[4]
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- Repeat the process of wiping down the axe head with oil and a clean rag and working the oil into the metal with your fingers a second time if you want to really clean and condition the metal.
5
Apply boiled linseed oil to the handle if it is wooden. Wipe any dirt and dust off the handle with a clean, dry cloth. Brush a generous amount of boiled linseed oil all over the handle with a clean cloth or paintbrush, wait a few minutes, then wipe away any excess oil.^{[5]
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- The more you do this over time, the more layers of oil build up, which creates a nice protective coat that makes your wooden axe handle last longer.
- Don’t store rags that are soaking in boiled linseed oil indoors because they can spontaneously combust. Hang them up to dry outside somewhere, then throw them away.
6
Put a leather mask on the axe head before you store the axe. A leather mask is a sheath that covers the blade of the axe. Slide the sheath onto the axe head and snap the strap into place to secure it.^{[6]
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- Leather masks help protect the blade even more from moisture.
- Don’t store your axe with an unprotected blade because someone might get injured.
7
Moisturize the leather mask with beeswax if it looks dried-out or misshapen. Put a dab of beeswax on a clean cloth. Rub the wax into the leather with the cloth. Wait for the wax to dry, then buff the leather with another clean, soft cloth.^{[7]
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- Keeping the leather conditioned makes it more waterproof and prolongs its lifespan.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Environment and Location

1
Put your axe in a sheltered, dry place. Always store your axe somewhere it won’t get wet. Keep it away from excessive moisture, so rust doesn’t develop on the axe head and the wooden handle doesn’t get warped.^{[8]
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- Don’t store your axe outdoors where it’s exposed to the elements, such as against the side of a building near your wood pile or stuck in a stump.
2
Store your axe out of freezing temperatures. Temperatures below freezing can make wooden axe handles fragile.^{[9]
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- Temperatures anywhere in the 40–70 °F (4–21 °C) range are ideal for axe storage.
3
Keep your axe away from extreme heat. Don’t store your axe anywhere near heat sources like furnaces and fires. Store your axe somewhere cool, so the handle doesn’t dry out and come loose from the axe head.^{[10]
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- Don’t store your axe in a boiler room or leaning against a fireplace, for example.
4
Store your axe in a garage or a shed for an out-of-the way location. Put it in a safe location alongside other tools in your garage or shed. Put it on a shelf or inside a long tool box, for example.^{[11]
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- Make sure that your garage or shed is well-sealed. Don’t store your axe there if it gets moist or if the temperatures drop below freezing.
- Don’t put the axe anywhere that it might fall from and potentially injure someone. Make sure it’s nice and stable in the spot you pick.
5
Hang your axe on a wall to display it when you’re not using it. Build a wooden rack and mount it on the wall or install a couple of heavy-duty hooks on the wall. Place the axe into the rack or hooks to display your prized tool.^{[12]
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- For example, if you have a “man cave” or a workshop where you spend a lot of time, your axe might look nice on a wall there.
6
Set your axe inside your vehicle or in a truck tool box to transport it. Always keep your axe where it isn’t exposed to the elements when you take it with you somewhere. Don’t stack any heavy items on top of the axe to avoid damaging the handle.^{[13]
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- For example, if you have a pickup truck with a long tool box in the bed, put your axe in there.