Cooper's axe handle idea

[Agent_H]

So cooper’s axes…
This little cooper’s axe needs a handle. What I am going to do with it? Good question.

Anyway, I have a slightly larger one that has a birch handle and seems in line with what they are supposed to look like. Both have right hand offsets to the eyes but the base of the eye on the smaller one is just right on top of the back of the blade. I don’t see getting my fingers around a handle to choke up on it.
I do have several house axe handles here and just laid it on here to eyeball it. I know they are traditionally more or less straight, short, and slightly bent one way or another.

Would modifying an existing handle, upside down for relief be rediculous? Part of a straight single bit would look more in line to being original as well.

Here is a shot of the larger one:

The smaller one with the handle idea going on. Pretty sure I can put a bit of "bend" into it as well.

Size/scale comparison:

Not really a problem I know but this is the place to ask about such a thing I figure.

 

[Square_peg]

That's not a bad idea. Nice to get some clearance between the jaw and the haft. But I think you'd be even happier with an offset - which means you'd have to make it from scratch.

 

[Agent_H]

That's not a bad idea. Nice to get some clearance between the jaw and the haft. But I think you'd be even happier with an offset - which means you'd have to make it from scratch.

Appreciate the feedback.

That is what I was thinking as well. I will need a larger piece of wood to start with. I was just messing around with some maple. It's hard, very light in color, but I don't have "enough" of it.

We cut the base of the trees into pieces to get them out of a ditch before I thought of using it.

This piece is cut flat on the back so I will have to be judicious with how I shape it. It does have a natural bend. It's definitely rough. If nothing else, I'm getting hands on practice for making a handle when I get a decent piece of wood.

Learning to carve handles is something I figure is a better use of time than a lot of other things a guy could do.

Besides, it keeps giving me the "crazy eye". :distracted:

The maple it's self isn't all bad. I used the largest piece to rough this one out:

 

[rjdankert]

So cooper’s axes….

Nice axes.:thumbup:

Here is one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAxPSvAX_7o

Not a lot of info in the video on just the axe. Overview of cooper's tools.

Don't know if I want to thank you for posting or not. A cooper's axe just got moved up on my want list.

What the hell, it only takes money.

Thanks for posting.

Bob

 

[Agent_H]

Thanks for the video there Bob.

I just noticed that the axe he uses in the intro is different than the one he explains to the viewers.

The first one has the rounded eye with a thick handle and the second has a triangular eye with a larger handle.
Intro axe:

Second

That is the main difference between the two I have here – don’t know what that means other than overall size.

 

[Agent_H]

It’s an interesting eye shape. Some differences in hanging I see on the first one are:

1. The handle on the smaller one he has there doesn’t have any shoulder taper to the eye on the rounded side. I don’t know what the other side (flat side) looks like.

2. There looks to be a definite offset.

3. There is no wedge or kerf cut for one.

4. The hang looks like it sits on a shelf on the rounded side.

5. The handle is thicker top to bottom and side to side than a hatchet, single bit, or double bit.

6. The length probably ends just passed his hands.

7. There is a slight angling down of the offset eye that puts his fingers/knuckles close to even with the edge of the bit.

Last night I pulled out a very warped 36” handle off a Plumb axe. The Plumb got a handle a while ago. This thing is what I have been wiping my hands dry of BLO every time I use it on something else.

The handle could have been straightened I am sure.

Finger relief, thick top to bottom, offset the right direction, recycled. A little long but that can be dealt with.

 

[Square_peg]

Great re-purposing.

 

[jblyttle]

I have learned so much here, but every once in a while a real gem comes along, like a bell going off in my head. Keep a nice old handle around to wipe excess linseed oil into. Brilliant.

 

[Agent_H]

The handle isn't traditional but my question is now where do I cut it off? Getting a second hand on it might be nice.

JB, if you need an old handle just let me know...

 

[Square_peg]

The handle isn't traditional but my question is now where do I cut it off?

I'd leave a little more than half of what's below the eye. Choke up and try it. Start long - eaiser to cut off more than to add on.