A Couple True Tempers With New Handles - Picture Heavy

[SkogKniv]

Both True Tempers. Both Jersey Patterns. One is beveled, one is not.

Had to buy a racing axe handle to get a proper fit. Took some sanding down, but I got it in there.

After some serious sanding, I got it down to true up. The new mallet really drives the neck into the eye hard. Makes for good fitting.

Sizing up the wedge.

Lets get some oil on that wedge, the way you like it, then drive it home

Went it real tight

Cleaned it up.

I like scraping now more than sanding, works much faster.

Some finished shots compared to how the handle looked when we started. It has a new shape now.

Oiling her leg up.

Out to dry.

Once again the handle took a lot of working on the sander to get to shape.

I left the head with this beautiful patina on it. Going to need some edge work though.

Adventure Sworn came over to see the wedge drove home and finishing touches on this one.

Oiled and out to dry,

 

[nickzdon]

Wow. Gorgeous swingers. Nice detail shots too.

 

[HandAxeProMan]

Great axes and pictures!

Howard

 

[SamuraiDave]

What type of sander do you use to shape your handles? Orbital?

There are a few hardware stores around here that sell Ames brand hickory handles, but all of them are pretty rough in the shape department and nothing like my Grandfather's "NY State" axe handle (which has terrible grain structure but a wonderful feel).

I'm getting into ordering older axe heads online and fitting handles, but haven't nailed down a place to get the handles yet.
Right now just working on hanging other hammers and hatchets before I go for an axe.

Just wish I had some trees in my backyard that were worth doing something with. Right now a weed wacker is a threat to most of what I have.

Edited to add: BTW, you have beautiful axes there. Your reviews are awesome. Thanks for your hard work in bringing all this back to life for those who had no idea how to.

 

[Dusty One]

Very nice work on both.....Great pic's.....Thanks for showing !

 

[M3mphis]

Those are beautiful heads and you done them proud! Nice work, thanks for sharing here on BF.

Matt

 

[Steve Tall]

What they said.
Looks good.

 

[bearhunter]

man that looks nice! i absolutly love fitting new handles unto old heads. what a great way to spend an afternoon.
i found an nice handle for an old crusier that i have and plan on finising it up tomarrow.
thanks for the pics skog...

 

[SkogKniv]

What type of sander do you use to shape your handles? Orbital?

There are a few hardware stores around here that sell Ames brand hickory handles, but all of them are pretty rough in the shape department and nothing like my Grandfather's "NY State" axe handle (which has terrible grain structure but a wonderful feel).

I'm getting into ordering older axe heads online and fitting handles, but haven't nailed down a place to get the handles yet.
Right now just working on hanging other hammers and hatchets before I go for an axe.

Just wish I had some trees in my backyard that were worth doing something with. Right now a weed wacker is a threat to most of what I have.

Edited to add: BTW, you have beautiful axes there. Your reviews are awesome. Thanks for your hard work in bringing all this back to life for those who had no idea how to.

Thanks everyone for the compliments! I think I finally have handling down pretty good now. Certainly lots of fun.

To answer your question above, I use a SKILL 4x36" belt sander for most of the shaping I do. Sometimes I will get a handle that needs little work on the neck, so I use the four in hand.