Handle size suggestion

A

Astrogator

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Mar 19, 2012
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What size handle should I put on this head.
I have a 30 inch handle which will fit the eye of the axe , but the handle will have to be thinned down somewhat.
If I shorten the handle I will probably end up with a straight handle , is this likely to work.
This axe head is marked as weighing 2 lbs , but now weighs about 800 grams or about 28 ounces , this loss of weight is no doubt due to service and / or sharpening.
Thanks for your thoughts.

https://imgur.com/AtzEhpl

https://imgur.com/B7U3A6z
 
I just put a 22" curved handle on a 2lb head that I carry on my coyote pack set up, and it works well. Sometimes I needed a little more reach and better two hand work. Dog
 
If that were mine, I’d carve my own haft to hang it on. I favor a straight handle with a swell at the butt.

I keep an axe about that weight in each truck, one’s a 24 and the other is a 26, for cutting blowdown off logging roads. My farm falling/limbing axes are a little longer, 30-32”, but it really depends on your body geometry.

I mostly use bigleaf maple, but I got in a few black locust staves last summer that I’m interested to try.

Parker
 
Thanks for the responses.
I will go with a longer handle , say between 26 and 30 inches.
I cannot decide on a straight or curved handle yet , so I will make a straight handle in addition to the curved one that I already have , and leave the final decision on which one to use for later 😁.
 
I think it mostly comes down to personal preference. I’ve been using straight handles so long that a curved handle just feels odd to me.

I’m heavy into hatchets, especially hammer and spike varieties, and for those I can argue that a reversed curve feels lousy when you have to swing it the “wrong” way. I suppose if you intend to drive wedges with the poll of your axe, the same consideration might apply.

But truly, it comes down to what you like. Try them both and form your own opinion (if you haven’t already).

Parker
 
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