My grandpa gave me a Red Knight single bit axe head that he said belonged to his grandfather. Its about 2lbs 2oz and is in very good shape. It has a narrow profile and chops amazing. It is very nice steel and holds a great edge. Anyway I have it hung on a standard 28 inch boys axe handle and while it works fine. I would love to have it hung on a 23 to 25 inch handle. I have a GB small forest axe and a council tool FSS boys axe that is a little heavier. So, I would like for this axe to be somewhere in between. I can't seem to find any axe handles for sale in this range. Does anyone know where I might be able to secure one? Thanks
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Custom single bit handle? Anyone make them?
- Thread starter dongotto
- Start date
Poke around in the House Handle website to see if they might have something in store for you. There are other good haft manufacturers around and someone is bound to chime in with those names. Failing that you could actually try to make your own.
If, for instance, you do find a House Handle spec that is suitable please tell them over the phone order that you are a member of this forum and want premium grade and without the lacquer finish.
If, for instance, you do find a House Handle spec that is suitable please tell them over the phone order that you are a member of this forum and want premium grade and without the lacquer finish.
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I can make you a single bit axe handle to this length. I just made a Osage orange handle that is 31" on a Lagitimus 3.5# head.
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Can you send me a p.m and give me an idea of how much it would cost?
Thanks. That is very nice work.
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It all depends on the wood. Take Osage orange for example. If you can get it easily and have a mill cut you boards it won't cost you much per handle. If you have to search the Internet for suppliers that can ship you the wood you are going to pay for it. The board I made this handle I payed 100$ plus 50$ for shipping. I was able to get several good pieces out one board. If you miss your cut it will cost you. Measure twice and plan and plan again before cutting. Osage can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I suggest you make a couple of bows out of the stuff before making a long axe handle.
If you insist on making a axe out of it and you don't want it to break right away and you don't have experience around Osage you need to buy a bow stave to make your handle out of. Make sure it is wide enough. Most staves are not wide but the grain is correct for a long handle. I also do this not to become rich. If I can do this and just pay my way it's worth it to me.
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I can't figure out how to pm on this sight.
This particular axe I'm selling on eBay for 260$ or best offer.
Axe handle price depends on length and type of wood. Osage is tough to get and tougher in a long length. If you just want a handle similar to this that is not hung on a head. I would do it for 150$ plus shipping. A hatchet can be done for 75$ plus shipping.
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Justin, just for info, not to derail you, but ask House Handle what a hickory blank will cost you - it's very little, even with shipping - might be a good way to get yourself going for less coin. Although, I understand how much work goes into a handmade handle so, like anything these days, you basically can't afford to make anything with your hands if you actually want to make money. But it's an idea anyway.
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If I just need a axe handle I do get them from house. A handle is just a handle until you make it into something more.
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Blank, hot rod .... I said blank. It's a piece of dimensional lumber. My point was that you can source your material for less coin. The OP asked for a handle, he didn't specify the species and Osage grows like weeds here so it's not as if it's something special. I'll throw some in the wood stove tonight in honor of your art. See if you can keep it in your pants and read a little more carefully on the next round.
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Don't see where this is going.
Bob
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I'll check.I didn't know that a blank was board. I thought a blank was a rough shaped handle.
It gets confusing every now and again. Handle stave is much the same except that it has been generated via splitting whereas a blank has been sawed or otherwise dimensionally processed. House Handle does offer rough shaped hafts that have only been lathe cut and not sanded. This allows you to rasp, file, sand and shape (for instance do you want to create a classic fawn's foot) to your own satisfaction. I don't think you save any money doing this but at least then it becomes entirely yours and a machine has already done the dirty work.
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I've made this joke before, but what the heck? I thought House Handle only sold blanks?
Seriously, their handles can be great stock and used as-is, but if you have creative juices and want to make them your own...they could have half of their mass removed and then be slim, beautiful and correct. Take a look at some of cityofthesouth's work, they are as good as it gets and they start out as House Handles.
Seriously, their handles can be great stock and used as-is, but if you have creative juices and want to make them your own...they could have half of their mass removed and then be slim, beautiful and correct. Take a look at some of cityofthesouth's work, they are as good as it gets and they start out as House Handles.
Square_peg
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I've mentioned a few times that Tennessee Hickory Products stuff makes great stock for axe handles. Their stiff is sold fat as a baseball bat. But their wood is absolutely second to none. I'm fortunate in that I have several local suppliers that turn over a lot of TH stuff. I hand pick the best of that stock and customize/slim them as I like.
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Nice!!! Do you ever use a spoke shave? I just bout one but haven't used it yet.
Spokeshave has to be very sharp, adjusted properly and there is a bit of a learning curve involved in using one. Practice on some expendable wood pieces before you go right to town on a tool handle.
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Peg, I REALLY like what you did with that D. B. handle. The head looks a lot like a Puget Sound, but not exactly. I had a True Temper Kelly Puget Sound quite a few years ago with an original 42" handle. Sometimes I wish I still had every axe I ever used. I am at a place in life where that is not possible. But I am glad some of you guys on this site are keeping axes alive and well.