Handle question

[stax]

I have a nice old Collins I bought for 3$ that needed a new handle. It's probably 2.5-3 pounds. I picked up an antique handle the other night. It is a little thinner than the ones you find in the stores today. When I got home, I noticed that the handle doesn't really have a shoulder for the head to sit down onto. It's a perfect fit for the axe head but I'm not sure if I should bother using it now that I noticed this problem< (I was in a hury when I bought it.) Are these kind of handles for a certain type of axe head? Would the head end up coming loose and sliding down the handle with use? Any feedback wouldbe appreciated.

 

[G-pig]

If you can seat it so subsequent normal hammer blows will not seat the head any further down, it will be totally fine. The slipping almost always happens the other direction. The old handles sometimes had less shoulder, just like they were slimmer in all facets.

 

[stax]

thanks G-pig. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. I noticed you're right down the road. I'll let you know if I find a good stash of old axes.

 

[Square_peg]

I picked up an antique handle the other night. It is a little thinner than the ones you find in the stores today.

That's a good thing and it's one of the reasons we try to save vintage handles.

I agree with G-Pig that a handle with little to no shoulder can still be used. I've hung a couple that are holding on just fine. I've even hung one that I could have driven right through the eye with a couple more blows from the white rubber mallet. No problems yet under moderate use.