Custom axe handle

[deltablade]

Where could I get an axe handle with an eye dimensions 1”x3”.

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

Some guys on Instagram are putting out swanky looking handles. I’ll DM you some specifics.

 

[Square_peg]

Where could I get an axe handle with an eye dimensions 1”x3”.

Single bit or double bit?

 

[deltablade]

Single bit masting axe

 

[Square_peg]

You're not gonna find one of those available commercially. Your best bet might be to buy railroad pick handle and shave it down to fit.

https://househandle.com/products-2.html#railroad

Or buy a raw stave of hickory and make it totally from scratch. I believe House Handle has sold them by request. I think shipping is high.

 

[Yankee Josh]

Single bit masting axe

Will you post some photos of it? I'd love to have a peek at it. Is there a makers mark?
I recently made a helve for my mast axe. Used red oak;

This pic is all finished and oiled;

Have you considered making one yourself? It's awfully gratifying!

 

[deltablade]

I would make it myself, yet having a hard time locating a hickory 2x4. Yours looks great, thanks for posting.

 

[deltablade]

did you bend it to that shape, or carve it?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

You're not gonna find one of those available commercially. Your best bet might be to buy railroad pick handle and shave it down to fit.

https://househandle.com/products-2.html#railroad

Or buy a raw stave of hickory and make it totally from scratch. I believe House Handle has sold them by request. I think shipping is high.

Yes, House sells rough cut 2x4x36 boards, but the ends are often checked an inch or so on both ends, so maximum length you can get is usually about 34" out of them. Cost per unit is low, but a 2x4 of hickory is HEAVY so it costs a lot (more than the cost of the boards) to ship them. It basically makes the most sense to buy a dozen or more to get the per-unit cost of shipping as low as reasonably possible. And then you have a bunch of good hickory!

 

[jblyttle]

Are West handles still being made? I have a need but can't find them.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Nope. Adam stopped making them. It was more work and fuss than he had time for with his day job and recovering from having his house get hit by a tornado a year or so back.

 

[jblyttle]

A shame but I understand. They were top quality.

 

[Yankee Josh]

did you bend it to that shape, or carve it?

After it was split;

I shaped it with a side hatchet.

I used a draw knife and my orbital sander from this point on.
And you don't have to use hickory btw. There's quite a few options. Whatever you do post up your progress!

 

[deltablade]

what other wood would make a good handle?

 

[ithinkverydeeply]

what other wood would make a good handle?

Ash is often used as a substitute. It is softer and easier to work so that might be a good choice. I might also suggest a 4 in hand file for the job.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Ash, beech, black locust, osage orange, hard maple, oak, yellow birch (not paper birch)...lots of different options.

 

[garry3]

Broad axe handle? https://househandle.com/products-2.html#broadaxehandles or are these right handed?

 

[deltablade]

House is shipping me their railroad pick handle and a blank, in hickory. I may try to shape one myself. many thanks to you all

 

[deltablade]

I got the railroad pic handle from house. It has a solid head. Do I cut a slit in the end of the head for a wedge?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Yes, you'll be cutting the kerf in it if planning on wedge-fitting it. A good rule of thumb is 2/3 the depth of the eye.