Boy's Axe head weight?

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sisk61

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Jun 24, 2011
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Im looking to buy an axe head off ebay to put a 24" or so handle on. Whats a good weight for that length? I saw a plumb super scout that weighs 1.75 pounds.. is that too light??
 
I think 1.75 lbs, is OK. Typical for a boy's axe is about 2-1/4. But many have reported great results from putting a light head on a longer handle. I have a 2 lb. that packs quite the little punch.
 
Square_peg said:
I think 1.75 lbs, is OK. Typical for a boy's axe is about 2-1/4. But many have reported great results from putting a light head on a longer handle. I have a 2 lb. that packs quite the little punch.
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Thanks! Does a lighter head on a longer handle require more effort to chop? or does it balance out pretty well with agility?
 
I have a 2 pound on a 28 inch, as well as a 2.5 on a 26, to provide to contrasting examples. They are both nice but the feel is different. for something like a 1 3/4 I might try a 25 inch. A shorter handle does seem handy for the types of tasks that a 1 3/4 is good at. I have a 1 3/4 on a 26 and I find it a tad long. I will probably re handle that one. The 2 pound on 28 inch is dandy though.
 
G-pig said:
I have a 2 pound on a 28 inch, as well as a 2.5 on a 26, to provide to contrasting examples. They are both nice but the feel is different. for something like a 1 3/4 I might try a 25 inch. A shorter handle does seem handy for the types of tasks that a 1 3/4 is good at. I have a 1 3/4 on a 26 and I find it a tad long. I will probably re handle that one. The 2 pound on 28 inch is dandy though.
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Awesome! im going to try to make myself an axe handle.. question, if i use green wood, should i paint the ends before or after i cut the kerf? and is the handle ready to use once the ends are painted?

Thanks!
 
sisk61 said:
Awesome! im going to try to make myself an axe handle.. question, if i use green wood, should i paint the ends before or after i cut the kerf? and is the handle ready to use once the ends are painted?

Thanks!
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What kind of wood are you using? I would paint the butt end, and leave that be. The other end is tricky, since you will probably be shortening a few times. Try to do all the work in a short time, like a day. Dont leave the handle too long. Putting an oild sock on end can also help a bit in lieu of paint. Just something to keep the air and sun off it works. Hang the handle straight, even after hanging. Dont lean it up or it will warp (certain types will anyway, maple is especially bad). after a week or so its usually dry enough to lean without warping problems. In terms of shaping, this rule might help you a lot- Keep the handle twice as wide as it is thick. The wideness being from edge to poll, thinness being from each side of the eye. For example, a 3/4 inch think handle would be 1 1/2 inch wide. I consider that to be an ideal width and thickness for usual use. You can keep it a little thicker but be careful thinning the width past 1 1/2. It can turn round in a hurry which I dont care for (though you might, and thats fine too). This is important for your hands to tell your noggin where the bit of the axe is. Think of it was a reference. If its too round you start to lose that reference.

Any questions, just let me know. Im happy to answer.
 
G-pig said:
What kind of wood are you using? I would paint the butt end, and leave that be. The other end is tricky, since you will probably be shortening a few times. Try to do all the work in a short time, like a day. Dont leave the handle too long. Putting an oild sock on end can also help a bit in lieu of paint. Just something to keep the air and sun off it works. Hang the handle straight, even after hanging. Dont lean it up or it will warp (certain types will anyway, maple is especially bad). after a week or so its usually dry enough to lean without warping problems. In terms of shaping, this rule might help you a lot. Keep the handle twice as wide as it is thick. The wideness being from edge to poll, thinness being from each side of the eye. For example, a 3/4 inch think handle would be 1 1/2 inch wide. I consider that to be an ideal width and thickness for usual use. You can keep it a little thicker but be careful thinning the width past 1 1/2. It can turn round in a hurry which I dont care for (though you might, and thats fine too).

Any questions, just let me know. Im happy to answer.
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I was planning on using hickory, just because thats pretty abundant down here. Do you have any pictures of the 1 3/4lb axe on that handle? Im just worried that this axe head is a hatchet head and that it will look odd on a long handle. Its 6 inches long and has a 4 inch blade.

i think if a smaller boys axe handle is too big, then something like a gransfors bruks hunters axe handle would be cool.
 
sisk61 said:
I was planning on using hickory, just because thats pretty abundant down here. Do you have any pictures of the 1 3/4lb axe on that handle? Im just worried that this axe head is a hatchet head and that it will look odd on a long handle. Its 6 inches long and has a 4 inch blade.

i think if a smaller boys axe handle is too big, then something like a gransfors bruks hunters axe handle would be cool.
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6x4 seems like a boys axe. I wouldnt worry about it. I dont have any pics because of computer issues but that is getting fixed so I will get pics in the next week or two.

I should mention that this little 1 3/4 ive got is more of a hudson bay pattern, so dimensions are different.
 
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G-pig said:
6x4 seems like a boys axe. I wouldnt worry about it. I dont have any pics because of computer issues but that is getting fixed so I will get pics in the next week or two.

I should mention that this little 1 3/4 ive got is more of a hudson bay pattern, so dimensions are different.
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Sweet! Ill let you know how it goes!
 
http://axeconnected.blogspot.com/2011/02/weak-handles.html

Thats a good post. Peters little sandvik axe is 1 3/4 pounds, with a 24 inch handle. I would shoot for 25 inches and go down if you dont like it. They seem to love that little axe and I can see why. Its a handy weight and size for a lot of different things. Good on ya for making your own handle (also note that peters is made of Birch and has 5 knots in it, and in addition spent a few years lost in the woods and is still good).
 
sisk61 said:
That looks really nice! i was planning on using this axe for camping/bushcraft stuff. Seems like the perfect size
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I'm wary of handles shorter than 28" and longer than 15"... i'd probably figure out how to pack the longer handle or take a 1lb hatchet.
 
daizee said:
I'm wary of handles shorter than 28" and longer than 15"... i'd probably figure out how to pack the longer handle or take a 1lb hatchet.
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Well i just like the boys axe length because it does well falling decent size trees, and usually does great limbing.
 
daizee said:
I'm wary of handles shorter than 28" and longer than 15"... i'd probably figure out how to pack the longer handle or take a 1lb hatchet.
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I agree, the last thing I want to deal with is a serious injury deep in the bush caused by a short handled axe. Excellent thread.
 
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