[nunuvit]

Why wouldn't you finish cutting through to make a slot? The slot has the advantage that using the axe fixes the axe head more firmly into the slot by wedging itself. Even if you wedged the stone in the pocket, the pocket will loosen and the stone will eventually bottom out and won't be wedged anymore.

[WalterBright]

> Why wouldn't you finish cutting through to make a slot?

Because then using the axe would quickly force the stone through the handle, as the only restraining force will be grip from the sides. That force on the sides will also encourage the handle to split. With it in a cup, the force will be on the back.

[nunuvit]

I'm skeptical that plant glue alone would work without additional lashing. Its brittleness is used as an intentional feature in hunting weapons so that the small blades detach and stay lodged in the prey.

[kragen]

i explained upthread how the celt design solves the splitting problem, which you have correctly identified