Favorite Handle Length (Full Size Axe)

What is your favorite handle length on full-sized axes?

  • Under 18" (specify)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 18-20"

    Votes: 1 2.9%
  • 22-24"

    Votes: 1 2.9%
  • 26-28"

    Votes: 7 20.6%
  • 30-32"

    Votes: 23 67.6%
  • 34-36"

    Votes: 15 44.1%
  • Over 36" (specify)

    Votes: 1 2.9%

  • Total voters
    34
I dont see scarcity of 32" handles you speak of. Alot of the full size felling/bucking axes come with 32" handles and the sweedish boutique axes gransfors wetterlings hults etc. dont make but a few larger. Autine, john neeman other hand forged companys only have the 31.5 on the splitting maul

I found it more difficult to get a good longer full size quality axe, let alone finding it for a decent price. Thank goodness fiskars came out with the x27. Fiskars lacks a 32 inch axe but i would guess thats more related to the redundancy of axes vs the cost to add it in their process.

I also notice alot of makers claim 36inch but if you actually check its closer to 34.5. Alot of my old rafting axes had short handles on them from the factory 26-28 inch. Im a taller guy 6'4-6'6 depending on which gas station im leaving. So i prefer longer and usually if its a head i love i have to just hang it on a longer handle. I will also say that my council bad boys axe is a perfect size for campfire/camping duty though.

Seems that the only way to truly get what you want is rehaft or rehang on the length you like

Handle length is nominal, not actual. It's the pre-assembly length. So typically 1-2" of handle length is lost in the hafting process. Nominal 32" handles can be found, but they're not easy to turn up compared to 36".
 
As far as replacement handles I haven’t seen 32 anywhere.

Handle length is nominal, not actual. It's the pre-assembly length. So typically 1-2" of handle length is lost in the hafting process. Nominal 32" handles can be found, but they're not easy to turn up compared to 36".

All the usual places have the 32", House Handle(my go to handle place) they have handles for everything. Council makes a 32inch. Hickory handle store and tennessee hickory. Thats straight and curved handles at most of those.

I undestand loosing 1 to 2 inches but i have rehung many an axe maul etc. But alot of people buying an axe that has a 36 inch handle expect it to be that because its the manufacturer claim and they havent ever hung one.

Which i also understand to an extent manufactures rarely have the disclaimer of it being different because of the hanging process. (I know and you know it but not everyone knows it.) Alot people think they are getting one thing but receive something else.

I just was chiming in on the scarcity because when i wanted a few different axes a few couple years ago seemed you could not get the premium axes (gransfors -32inch, council premium -28 inch,wetterlings-32inch) with anything larger than 32. Maybe it was just my expierence i mean just because i couldn't find anything doesn't make them abundant.

But take it for what its worth, the ramblings of old man. I couldnt find what i wanted so i made my own and i know not everyone can. I would just like to see more variety of axes 28 inch and above.
 
For me they are; 34"-36" for falling and splitting, 30"-33" for smaller trees, undercut and general use and 26"-28" for bucking and limbing(chainsaw companion) . I take a boys axe on the wheeler when I head out riding and the haft is anywhere from 24"-28". It's a great question! And it's been fun to see what everyone else prefers!
But to answer the specific question asked; for a full size axe I prefer a full size haft. ie; 34"-36".
I forgot to add I'm just over 6'2". I've heard your inseam is a good rule for haft length and it holds true for me. 35".
 
Finding one of correct size is problem enough, but finding one that's not made of thin stock or has nice curves is nigh on impossible. NOS has become exceedingly rare, so the only reliable option for a nice handle is rolling your own.

And Josh, that's funny. I'm a 32 lol
 
I like 32" at 5'11" with long arms, but there are times when I really like 28" with a full sized head since much of my chopping is in tighter quarters lately. I selected two choices as 28-32 is kind of my range. I have a full-length (36")CT jersey pattern with the stock handle and it feels a little unwieldy for my liking, though it's easily managable by choking up a couple inches on the handle since it has a long curve at the end. Hate it for bucking as is though. I have other axes and saws for that so not a big deal, but certainly limits it's versatility as is.
 
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Funny, you would think that swinging an axe would be the same as a sledge. Much to my surprise, it's not. A different technique all together.I've been using a sledge all my working life, even having a rep as being good at it. Slugging away at spanners doing bearing changes on paper machine rollers will show off your skills, chuckle. I cut the handles to 26". I tried a 3# head on a 24". On the second swing, "This doesn't work." I'm 6'1" with long arms .
 
6'4" +/- and I find 36 a little unwieldy. 32 is my go to, though all I really use an axe for is driving wedges to fall trees and a little limbing.
 
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