Advice about Handle for a Connecticut

John Frankl · Dec 9, 2012

So I'd also like to hang this no name Connecticut. It's about 3 lbs. 5 oz. after clean up.

I have a 28" straight, octagon handle. Something about this combination seems cool, but the handle is quite short. Here are a couple pics.

The questions are...

1. What are the potential drawbacks (or advantages) of such a short handle?

2. What would you personally choose for this head, both in terms of length and straight or curved, and why?

3. And if I do go with a different handle, what would all of you use this 28 incher for?

Thanks in advance!

Operator1975 · Dec 9, 2012

I see a lot of old Connies on short handles....30 inch, sometimes even down to 27.

1. = Couple advantages - shorter handle generally means better accuracy. You get better accuracy with that big long bit, you will be able to do some chopping. Disadvantage would be generally easier to do damage to yourself - toe, shin, etc if tired and not paying attention.

2. = I would put a 30 inch curved handle on it myself - ones guys opinion.

3. = I bet a nice dayton or michigan, say 3, 3 1/4 lbs would be a hell of a chopper on that handle.

Interesting thing with those Connies is the eye itself - hard to find a handle to really properly fit the eye, usually either too small, or you have to do a lot of work to get your handle to fit. But, if you get the right handle on there, balanced, and with the length of the bit, you can chop chop chop and throw some serious chips!

Hope this helps. One guy's thoughts.

markv · Dec 9, 2012

straight is good, length can depend on height of user and what the axe will be used for.

check out the size or length of handle on Cesar's axe http://www.nfb.ca/film/Cesar_et_son_canot_d_ecorce/

buzz

John Frankl · Dec 9, 2012

Thanks guys.

Looks like Old Cesar may just have handled an axe and knife before!

bearhunter · Dec 9, 2012

I've got an old 3 1/2lb Legitimus Conn. with the original handle. It is 29" and is a real pleasure to swing

I also have a 2 3/4lb Worlds Finest on a 28" handle (OA length is actually 27") I egually enjoy it as well! I have another 3 1/2lb Legitimus Conn. that is going on the same type 28" handle. It should be a fine chopper too.
I prefer shorter handles anyway, so those 'short' handles suit me just fine.
I certainly wouldn't go with anything over 32", but if I were you, I would stick with the nice handle you have there

I like the control with a shorter handle, especially on that style of head. After all the 'pros' swing 4 1/2lb heads on 28" handles... there's a reason, and it's called accuracy

I have a 4 1/2 lbder that I've been thinking about putting a 28" on. I go back and forth between 28 and 32... Maybe I should go with 30" and call it good

Square_peg · Dec 9, 2012

Go for it. Tell us how you like it.

I prefer a full size axe to have a little longer handle - at least 30", 32" or more is better. My current desire is a 32" handle with a wide, say 5" bit, and a real straight bit. 3-3/4 to 4 pounds. I would use this for notching timbers during hewing. For felling I'll take a 36".

For limbing a shorter handle can be nice. When the limbs are up off the ground and shorter handle is handy. I like a boy's axe for that. At 3 lbs. 5 oz. your axe on a 28" handle might make a nice limber.

G-pig · Dec 9, 2012

For something that light its fine. it will feel weird at first, but after using almost exclusively handles shorter than 31 inches , even a 32 inch handle feels too big. I have several axes around 3 pounds that at one handles about that length give or take. I would use that one over a 32 inch, that just feels too long for anything but splitting for me now.

John Frankl · Dec 9, 2012

Thanks again. I might just go for it

But more replies and opinions are certainly appreciated.

cooperhill · Dec 11, 2012

I had that same handle from House. I ended up putting a Dayton/Yankee pattern axe on it. Liked it better. Handle looks a little small for that head.

John Frankl · Dec 11, 2012

Thank you. Now that this has sort of switched from head to handle, I have these three candidates for now.

The angle makes one look bigger than the other, but they are all in the 3-3.5 lb. range. Here they are reversed.

And here's that Plumb in the middle cleaned up just a tiny bit. Better looking head than I thought when I pulled it out of a rust pile. Lots of pitting, but almost no abuse.

Higher centerline and heavier pole than my other two Plumbs.

I think the shape is closer to Cooperhill's recommendation, but it's no lighter than the Connecticut.

bearhunter · Dec 11, 2012

Of those 3, I think I would go with the Plumb with that handle.