Thread: Is this a Kelly axe

Akeake is an expression made by Maori warriors when fighting or defending a position and means “Forever, forever”, and it is also the Maori name for the tree Dodonaea viscosa, the strong wood of which was used to make traditional weapons.

now whether that translates to axe handles dont know - but it was used for taiha ( long wooden fighting weapon ) my cousin was a champion axeman and he did tell me they used kanuka for racing axe handles - but quite a process - was kept in the dark ( suitable pieces ) for several years to dry and harden then carefully inspected for cracks before cuttiing carefully with the grain into a handle - I remember him saying one had to work with the cracks if that makes sense - they cracked from the inside in star pattern - but provided the piece was big enough one could cut around any crack - well have seen eastcoast kanuka over a foot thru so could be a go