Handle length ? 24" ?

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Downwindtracker2

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Mar 20, 2019
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You fellows realize you are likely the main repository of axe wisdom . Certainly it's all that I found. So I'll here is another question; When I rehung my 3 1/2# Hulks Bruk, I used a 36", OAL, it seemed about right. But the Beaver Tradesman Canadian pattern, of about the same weight , had a 24" handle from the factory. Why would they use the shorter length ? I have a Wetterling boys axe , it had been rehung with a 24", that makes sense, it's basically a one handed axe.
 
Downwind, the shorter handle is normally hung on a lighter head ax. OR if the 3 1/2 lb. will be used for trail work, thus they will be packing it. So, they want to save weight. Sometimes a hunters / camping ax will have a 24" haft. Yes, a boys ax of that size is a one
handed ax. I have a Mann 1 3/4 lb. ax that I hung with a 25" haft. It fits my usage at camp, packing it and for limb work around home.
My 4 lb. Hults Bruk I hung a 36" haft on it. I'll be using it for felling, limb work and splitting so, I wanted the longer haft. DM
 
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Downwindtracker2 said:
You fellows realize you are likely the main repository of axe wisdom . Certainly it's all that I found. So I'll here is another question; When I rehung my 3 1/2# Hulks Bruk, I used a 36", OAL, it seemed about right. But the Beaver Tradesman Canadian pattern, of about the same weight , had a 24" handle from the factory. Why would they use the shorter length ? I have a Wetterling boys axe , it had been rehung with a 24", that makes sense, it's basically a one handed axe.
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My 3 1/2 lb HB is on a 31” haft. I took 1/2” off of either end when I hung it. I’m no pro with the kind of years in the bush that some of the other men on this forum have, but my limited experience says if you are not using this axe for something very specific, very experienced, or not under 5’ 6”, a heavier head could be a bit dangerous. Axe wounds tend to be large and ugly.
 
A full size axe on a short handle is often called a miner's axe. They're as likely used to drive wooden or plastic wedges as to chop. That length might also be used by a feller, again predominantly for driving wedges. A full size axe on a short handle feels clunky for chopping. You don't generate the head speed you'd like and you don't get the penetration.

A short handle on a boys axe or Hudson Bay axe is handy around camp for bushcraft tasks or splitting small wood. Plus, as noted above, they're easier to pack.
 
Back when I was in construction, we made wedges on a big radial arm saws, a 12" 2x4 cut width wise, so we had 1 1/2" to nothing. It was amazing what we could move with them. We used 8# engineers sledge hammers to drive them though.

Now Garant now markets a light chainsaw axe. When I saw that, I had to look it up, chuckle. Maybe I'm were looking at an early version or as you say a miner's axe. How it ended up in the retail chain is anyone's guess here in BC. By the chips on the edge no self respecting logger used it. The axe will serve as a camping axe, the head is more of a all purpose, any way.

On this site 300Six mentioned that Garant bought axe heads and put their handles on them.
 
Downwindtracker2 said:
Back when I was in construction, we made wedges on a big radial arm saws, a 12" 2x4 cut width wise, so we had 1 1/2" to nothing. It was amazing what we could move with them. We used 8# engineers sledge hammers to drive them though.
Click to expand...

Large wedges like that are a staple of the heavy moving and rigging industry. The ones I'm used to are 3-1/2" x 12" x 1", so a shallower slope than your 1-1/2" wedges. I've also seen them used extensively by house movers. Anyone moving heavy stuff is using them. And they have 1001 uses. Once you get some you'll wonder how you ever survived without them. But what amazed me more is what that industry does with MDO and naptha soap. But that's for another post. ;)
 
Among my full size chainsaw axes and wedgepounders, I've got a couple factory handles at 24-25". Plumbs, one 5 lbs, one 4. As said, they are pretty good for specific things, but kind of clunky to chop with.

You wouldnt think it'd matter that much, but add just a couple inches to that and they round out a lot more, but are still pretty compact. Council puts out some on 26" that are a lot nicer to chop with. And of course 28" is great for it.

If I worked in a tunnel or under a house, I'm sure if I wanted to change it, it would be shorter.

Theres a reason for all of 'em!
 
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