Collins 5# Legitimus (single bit) factory handle pattern?

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That's all I'm looking for... Does it exist?

If someone has an original single bit 5# Legitimus and would take the time to snap a few photos I'd appreciate it. I can probably make a pretty darn accurate pattern if I had photos of the axe/haft in 45-degree increments of a circle (meaning laying on left cheek, propped up 45*, 90* bit straight up, 45* to right cheek, right cheek flat on something... and so on, the full 360 degrees. Would also need a couple (2-3) new, crisp US Notes (dollar bills) in a couple places, per photo, laying completely underneath the haft --with the note sticking out of each side of the haft, does not matter what orientation, random angles are probably better. Older bills wrinkle and get soft. Like aluminum foil, when you wrinkle it up into a ball, its really hard to get all the folds out and bring the sheet back to its original size. Crisp bills from an ATM would be amazing. (if anyone cares about trying to duplicate an OEM Collins 5# Legitimus haft).

Thx.

EDIT: Will either post the pattern for the benefit of the forum --or happy to post my home address so you all can come after me with your ratty old 5# Legitimus axes :)
 
Here you go, it's a 4 lb. head though. The haft is exactly 35" long, 1 3/8" wide, and 13/16th thick.



 
I don't have an original Legitimus haft but maybe you can make do with this.

Axe%20handle%20dimensions%204.jpg
 
Are you setting up for a duplicating machine or is this a template for hand carving?
 
300Six said:
Are you setting up for a duplicating machine or is this a template for hand carving?
Click to expand...

I know some CNC fabricators so I suppose I could duplicate via machine. Hadn't thought of it until your post though. The reason for asking for bills/coins/money behind the haft was to give a frame of reference of the radius of the curves, thicknesses, etc. I have one but it is split badly. I can put dowels in it and glue it back together, I just thought I could skip a step or two if I had decent digital images.

The intent is to spend some quiet time out in the garage with a rasp, saw file and a can (I don't do bottles in the garage) of whatever microbrew looks good. This is something that is long overdue. I've been working on this (cracked) 5# Legitimus for too long. I had intended for it to be done almost a year ago. A labor of love is much more appropriate (IMO) in this situation.

However, if anyone is interested in duplicating or reproducing them, I have an original haft I can put back together. I also have a good friend with a 5-axis inspection machine. I'd be willing to put the haft back together, have it inspected and upload the pattern so anyone can download it. That way anyone could go to any shop with a decent CNC machine and have one made. I have no idea how HH (and others) make these things (raw, unshaped hafts) but with where technology is today, you only need one good blank (original haft) then you put it on an inspection machine, log the points and make a pattern. You can add or subtract to the inspected thickness so as you approach the eye just make the haft thicker so it needs a bit of hand working to be perfect. I have no idea how Collins did this originally (template or was it just workers going by eye/feel).

Either way, I have no interest in mass-producing these things. However, I'd be happy to talk to anyone about how to make it happen (build database/repository of CNC-compatible haft profiles). Or, alternatively, if there are a few people interested in something like this I'm happy to set up a group buy type situation. Depending on how many it would be free (you buy haft & pay for shipping) or if it's a bigger job he would probably only want his machine time/power covered (cheap). ***please keep in mind I have the best intentions but I've been promising photos of my various heads for probably a good six months :)
 
If someone out there can make or program a manual or CNC lathe or pantograph to reproduce vintage/classic handles for an affordable price there probably would be an eager, albeit small, market. Especially if customers were able to supply their own 'stock'. Experimenting with a stick of Apple, Hickory or Hop Hornbeam etc is daunting for anyone that has never carved his/her own axe/hatchet handle. That description would include me. Store-bought handles are enough of a chore to shape and fit these days that if someone could profitably 'rough out' a supplied blank that'd make life so much easier. And inspiringly pleasant!
 
300Six said:
If someone out there can make or program a manual or CNC lathe or pantograph to reproduce vintage/classic handles for an affordable price there probably would be an eager, albeit small, market. Especially if customers were able to supply their own 'stock'. Experimenting with a stick of Apple, Hickory or Hop Hornbeam etc is daunting for anyone that has never carved his/her own axe/hatchet handle. That description would include me. Store-bought handles are enough of a chore to shape and fit these days that if someone could profitably 'rough out' a supplied blank that'd make life so much easier. And inspiringly pleasant!
Click to expand...

This isn't the first time I've thought about it. In all honesty, it is cost prohibitive. I own a small ($3k used, guy owed me a ton of $, got it for $500) 5-axis machine that I make stuff with (as a hobby). Problem is the length of the haft. A machine that can handle anything north of a hand axe is going to be big dollars (easily 10k+). That's really what you are up against. My $3k sandbox is the size of a coffee can. For $5k-8k you can probably play in the hatchet/hand axe haft arena. It'll be well north of $10k to get into the 36" range. You have to take a lot of other things into consideration --these things are designed to use liquids to lubricate and cool the bits. Talk to some of the knife guys on this forum. Lots of bits handle Delrin or carbon (or whatever) without cooling; but if you are a shop that's setup to make widgits out of metal, you'll have to break down and set up the machine every time you switch between projects.

Next reality is us. As much as I'd love a CNC'd haft to show up in the mail, part of what we do is a labor of love and a skill/craft that will be completely forgotten if rough blanks stop being sold. Additionally, we are a cheap and demanding bunch. Are people really going to pay north of $35 per haft, knowing that it could split on the first swing? The $35 range would be reasonable ($35-$50, depending). It would be a very hard task to get the price down below $25 without a production run of 25-50 units. (Or so I'm told.)

That said, the inspection machine is nothing like a cutting machine. Just time. Very little power consumption, not used all that much. If anyone is interested in a pattern I could make an introduction.
 
I have 2 collins handles, one is 36" and i think the other is 29". my cell phone is dead right now but when it's charged I'll take pictures of them in front of some rulers for reference. the old handles are really thin compared to the new handles you buy
 
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