Confession
: For many years, I've followed the advice of some local oldtimers when it comes to tightening the wooden handles of axes, sledge hammers, etc. They advised me to use brake fluid—automobile brake fluid—thinned with a little water as a bath for soaking the head-end of the axe or sledge in overnight or so. It
does work, for an immediate fix. But it dries out, often within a matter of weeks.
A problem, too, is that dogs and other pets are said to be attracted to the brake fluid in the bucket and will drink some, given the chance, and perhaps wind up fatally sick. (I've always taken precautions against the option for a dog or cat to stick it's head into the bucket.)
Online, I couldn't find anybody who, these days, recommends that method. Instead, most experienced people are recommending using boiled linseed oil in one way or another. Oils are more what's called for, because they're more compatible with the hardwoods that tool handles are made from and simply last longer among the wood fibers & cells. Here's a video of a good method for doing it.
