On Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:38:30 -0500, "DanG" wrote:

If you use them hard every day, the oil and sweat from your hands
polishes them and keeps them oiled a bit like an old handrail.

I assume you weren't planning on making that method work. Boiled
linseed oil mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits soaked in should get
you about the same place. Maybe wrap them with rags or something
to really soak them to start.

I seem to recall a "permanent" treatment for an axe handle, from an
old camping book. Drill long hole down the handle, fill with boiled
linseed oil, plug with a solid dowel.

I've never done this so can't say how well it would work. You'd have
to fill the cracks first of course.

Best -- Terry