Big Baby rehandled

J

jmh76

Joined
Mar 27, 2012
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Here is the first large axe I have rehandled. Until recent it had origional handle with red paint band near head. Well, I let a friend use it and lets say his aim was less than perfect. The head is stamped, True Temper/Kelly Standard/Kelly Works. I could not swing this "Big Baby" all day, no way. But man does it throw some chips. I did not weigh head only:(. But total weight as it is 6.4# with o/a length of 35-1/4". I made this handle from Ash. Ash is pretty tough and resiliant from my experience. I just thought I would share. I was pretty proud how it turned out. In your opinion, is Ash an acceptable hafting material?
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From what I've been able to gather, a good piece of Ash or Birch are very capable as handle material, only surpassed by perhaps Hickory which seems to be the preferred material. I think I'm sort of in the same boat as you, when you take the time into sculpting something like that handle right there you want it to be as good as you can make it and for it to last, but I tend to over think most things and I think the important thing to remember is that most anything will do the trick, there is no need to obsess about it! :D

I think the most important thing is the actual grain structure - which I'm still trying to get to grips with :D - and to know how to align it with the handle and to chop with the head, not the handle(as I'm guessing your friend did!) :)
 
Good job putting that big boy back in service. I think that ash handle will work out well for you.
 
Gorgeous handle. Ash is great handle material. And the shape looks spot on to me.

jmh76 said:
Does the head angle seem O.K.?
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Hard to tell exactly but the hang might be a little open. If you set the axe against a flat surface with the bit pointing down then it should make contact at the swell or knob and at a point about 1/3 to 1/2 the way up the bit from the heel. Make sense? I usually shoot for the 1/3 mark.

The_hang_of_it.jpg
 
jmh76 said:
Here is the first large axe I have rehandled. Until recent it had origional handle with red paint band near head. Well, I let a friend use it and lets say his aim was less than perfect. The head is stamped, True Temper/Kelly Standard/Kelly Works. I could not swing this "Big Baby" all day, no way. But man does it throw some chips. I did not weigh head only:(. But total weight as it is 6.4# with o/a length of 35-1/4". I made this handle from Ash. Ash is pretty tough and resiliant from my experience.
BigBaby_zps45af4672.jpg
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Click to expand...

You sure did a great job on that handle. She is beautiful. I think that you'll find ash to be a good choice of handle material.

Tom
 
Really nice work on that haft! I like ash as a finished product. Once you get the BLO on there, the grain really stands out.
Can you tell me the name of that two piece vise you are working with there? I've been looking fo a job like that but don't know where to start.
 
Thanks fellas. It feels really good. I did the shaping both bandsaw and angle grinder. As far as the vise, its a zyliss. Not sure they are made anymore. It is the handiest thing esp for hangin axes.
 
Square_peg said:
Hard to tell exactly but the hang might be a little open. If you set the axe against a flat surface with the bit pointing down then it should make contact at the swell or knob and at a point about 1/3 to 1/2 the way up the bit from the heel. Make sense? I usually shoot for the 1/3 mark.

The_hang_of_it.jpg
Click to expand...

Great info -- I have never seen this discussed before
 
Yes that is rock crawler in background, that has been dragging on waaaaay too long. I think I'm a glutten for torture. I built new frame and cut origional CJ-5 body in half and am fabricating new rear half to turn it into CJ-6. I need to be working on that instead of hangin axes.
 
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