Does Grain orientation on smaller hatchets really matter?

[Joezilla]

I have a wetterlings that is over 8 years old, with the "wrong" grain orientation. I wouldn't doubt it for a minute. I've been paying attention to hammers and other striking tools as well, especially on job sites where I would ask about broken ones. I'm really believing that if a hatchet is 18" or under, I'm not particular about the grain. Anyone else feel similar?

[Bush Otter]

I beleive that in the shorter lighter tools there is less stress on impact so grain oreintation is less critical.

[uncle willie]

I've not found that it matters so much Joe.

Head/Eye/Handle alignment on the other hand, does matter a lot.

Grain orientation though, not so much at all, for the shorter ones, in my experience.

UW

[Sides]

Not really. With a short piece of wood, it becomes stronger.

[kayak]

The shorter and straighter a handle, the less orientation matters.

The real issue that can compromise a handle isn't orientation, but grain run out. As a general statement, wood tends to be weakest at the boundaries between growth rings, and that's where the stress of impact is most likely to split the wood. So long as most of those boundaries run the full length of the piece, you're unlikely to have a crack form, as the stress doesn't get overly concentrated. When you have too much run out and too many of those boundaries become exposed, the stress can concentrate there, and cracks can form.

Grain alignment is a handy way to judge run out (if it runs straight down the eye, and straight down the back of the handle, you have minimal run out) and in long, curved handles, alignment and run out are correlated. I'm guessing that's how it became such an issue, its a quick way to judge quality without carefully inspecting every handle. But somewhere along the line, people have confused the quick way to judge quality for being the characteristic that imparts strength.

[Seeker]

i don't think it matters AS MUCH on a shorter-handled tool... but i split the 12" handle on my Vaughn sounding hatchet a few months back (replaced it before it broke all the way), right up under the head. Not sure what caused it. Just noticed it one day. Have no idea what i did to cause it. The handle grain was about half right, if that makes sense.

I probably should have just found a sapling to make a handle from... then the grain would have been right! (but i just bought another one from Forestry Suppliers).

[Bax 40]

I try tro get the best aligned grainwise handles I can, but dont think it makes near as much difference as many folks think, I have had handles last almost forever with way less than optimal grain and most that have broke were my poor aim not the handles fault!

Just my opinion, I could be wrong!


Larry

[mahaney]

I grew up using axes/hatchets/mauls for fire wood (the only heat in the house) and I never heard of grain orientation until I found this place. Have I broken handles? Yes because I suck and aiming where the head will hit and overshoot a good bit of the time. I think it looks nice, just isnt as big a deal as we make out now a days.

J