handle advice

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phantomknives

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Mar 31, 2016
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So, i bought a true temper kelly perfect today, but i need help deciding on a handle, straight or curved? In my area, i can only buy curved handles, so take into consideration i'd have to get a custom handle, or i'd buy it off the internet, but I'd really rather not buy a handle i cant see first, quite a few things could be wrong with it after all.
 
Buying a modern handle, made from sawn, and kiln dried stock is a crap shoot no matter how well you inspect in. As long as the handle is straight, and the head is well hung is about all the quality control you have. Go for it and hope for the best.
 
One of these days House Handle (check out their website) is going to provide end, side and top views of 'premium select' handles that they make so that you yourself can choose. Certainly you can contact these people by phone to insist on vertical grain with no runout but expect to pay an extra couple of dollars. Shipping is what typically eats into your budget so oftentimes it's wise to order more than one handle.

You could try to sweet talk quinton into parting company with one of his air-dried hand-split AAA Hickory staves and then learn to carve your own.
 
Coincidently I just got a true temper perfect in the mail today so I'll be watching this with interest
Will probably get a handle online but my last order was less than so-so even with hand pick
 
thanks guys, but this doesn't really answer my question, should my handle be straight or curved? by the way, i really appreciate the advice. I just looked at husqavarna's website, the have a few straight handles, so, any opinions on those? i'm trying to do this on a small budget,i mean, i got the ax for 5 bucks, and the old handle, which has been overstruck a few too many times, so its on my framing hatchet. So, two mass produced hickory handles of similar length, only one's curved, the other's straight. which would be better for a camping/hiking/every day use ax?
 
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I prefer the look of curved handles, and it's said that they increase speed but I can't confirm that.
You'll just have to get what you think looks good, then try the other on another axe at some point to decide what you like.
 
Personal preference entirely dictates whether straight or curved is the way to go.
Myself am a fan of straights and/or lesser curved handles because they're inherently stronger and there is no manufactured runout. Tools that use both ends of the head (double bit axe, sledge, maul, hammer poll axe, Pulaski) always have straight handles.

If a straight appeals to you study old pictures of rafting, miner and construction axes. You will notice that these do not have bilateral symmetry such as on a double bit or Pulaski; the shoulder will be raised and sometimes the knob has a bit of a drop to it.
 
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phantomknives said:
Agent_H, I think it's jersey pattern
Click to expand...


Very nice. I am drawn to straight handles on certain patterns and think Jerseys look great on them but as 300six is saying above there, it is personal preference for the most part.

That isn’t to say that curved handles aren’t a good match to your Jersey pattern. This is an older picture of an unmarked head but this one gets grabbed to do chores more than others (octagonlized is optional):



If you decide to order “sight unseen”, there are a couple of reputable online dealers, Tennessee Hickory and House Handle for example. Results may vary of course.

If you do decide on a straight handle, you can also search for a handle locally. Maybe even look through their axe-eye maul handles if you want a straight handle. Might take a little more shaping but the body will be there. If it’s over-sized you might even be able to shorten it some before whittling a palm swell.

As far as length, 36" is a little long for me and that is what I find in big box and locally owned establishments. I found out that some of the Farm and Feed places carry handles (House Handle for the local Coastal Farm and Ranch as an example). Not knowing where you are, you might see that as an option or not.

Any pictures of your new project?
 
sure, i'll get'm to you soon, i'm a good bit away from an agri supply, they sell tenesee hickory curveds, but husqavarna's closer, and they sell the straight handles. Do they sell handles in-store?i think i might go with a straight handle just to mix up my collection a bit, even my maul has a curved handle
 
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European eye sizes often differ considerably from those of domestic so make sure you have a ruler with you when you go. Shaving/rasping/filing wood off is no big deal but having a new handle 'fall through the eye' is bad luck.
 
Many Kelly Perfects came with hard polls. If I intend to use both ends of a axe tool then a straight haft is best. If I primarily plan to use one end then a curved handle suits me best.
 
Square_peg said:
Many Kelly Perfects came with hard polls. If I intend to use both ends of a axe tool then a straight haft is best. If I primarily plan to use one end then a curved handle suits me best.
Click to expand...

I looked at the picture of that axe head. Jersey patterns lend themselves to straight or lesser curved handles. As Peg says; it would be a real bonus, if by virtue of being a Perfect, that the poll was hard too.
 
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