Hand tool to cut this relieve slot?

[Tom Dunn]

This is an old Norlund hand ax I am fitting a new handle to. Small one, just 14 oz.

Now, I have already tried to relieve the slot by clamping it in a vise and using a hacksaw(sorry, it's all I had!) and that ended up requiring me to cut about 3/4 off the top of the handle, I cut it off right at the bottom of the errant cut.

So now I am at this point and do not know what kind of hand saw or whatever would be best to relieve this factory saw cut?

 

[Mike Davis]

I have that same model ax, it is very handy.

As long as you can get the wedge started that's good enough, the wood will compress and "wedge" tight into the slot.

If it won't start at all you can use a cross cut hand saw to widen the slot. Clamp it slightly together and let the saw follow the slot. Don't try to cut alongside the slot that is already there.

 

[smallboat]

one of my all time favorite poems includes the line

"In making the handle
Of an axe
By cutting wood with an axe
The model is indeed near at hand."





Not that that's what you are up to but it somehow seemed appropriate