Handles - Updated.

Operator1975 said:
I havent done anything with these guys, but they look real interesting.

http://www.brclumber.com/Handles.html
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Thanks operator. I looked through their site and couldn't find pricing. Also, if they have supplied hd and lowes with handles, im bit sure I could trurust their standard "quality". Someone on the board must have a wood lather and the know how to produce high quality handles. I wo.Der who supplies Gransfors with their handles?
 
Yeah I think you have to email them for prices. I think they provide many manufacturers and axe suppliers with handles.

I have been thinking about the whole lath for some time - but I am limited with what I can do with my hands, and more limited with free time to actually get a decent supply done. Though I do like what Memphis did with the elm handle, and I do have a ton of elm on my property - so, maybe, down the line. I dont have any of the tools or the knowledge though. Could be interesting and might help to keep me out of trouble.
 
I'm sure it would be top notch, and me personally, i would pay double or more for a handle by a guy on the boards rather than wasting it on an inferior pc from a high quantity supplier....
 
The elm is working out well so far. It's tough.

Present day axe handles are made on CNC machines, not lathes. Perfectly round handles, like tomahawk handles, are lathed. In the old days they were made G-Pig style.
 
M3mphis said:
The elm is working out well so far. It's tough.

Present day axe handles are made on CNC machines, not lathes. Perfectly round handles, like tomahawk handles, are lathed. In the old days they were made G-Pig style.
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Do you have any pics of the elm you worked up?
 
Operator1975 said:
I havent done anything with these guys, but they look real interesting.

http://www.brclumber.com/Handles.html
Click to expand...


Here's another handle maker that looks like a wholesaler, Bowman Handles:
http://www.bowmanhandlesinc.com/

This link gives an Excel spreadsheet listing of Axe Handle Makers in the USA, with contact information:
http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/documents/tools/Axes/Axe%20Handle%20Mfr.xls

Here's the cached version of the spreadsheet, to view without needing to open an .xls file:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?hl=en&gbv=2&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=14516l27782l0l28094l40l40l5l0l0l4l235l4578l0.28.3l31l0&q=cache:guUHCpZpW2EJ:http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/documents/tools/Axes/Axe%20Handle%20Mfr.xls+wilderness.net+axe+handles&ct=clnk

One reseller who pays attention to grain orientation (for what it's worth) is OmahaKnife.

Maybe this forum could organize a group purchase of a special run of slim octagonal single bit handles from Link?
 
Steve Tall said:
One reseller who pays attention to grain orientation (for what it's worth) is OmahaKnife.

Maybe this forum could organize a group purchase of a special run of slim octagonal single bit handles from Link?
Click to expand...

how would 1 contact omahaknife?
 
M3mphis said:
The elm is working out well so far. It's tough.

Present day axe handles are made on CNC machines, not lathes. Perfectly round handles, like tomahawk handles, are lathed. In the old days they were made G-Pig style.
Click to expand...

Not always the case. I know that BRC uses pantograph (copier) style lathes for at least some of their handles.

Here's a vid from HHS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ8DW7JBQvE showing the process.
 
Pantographs are so cool. Not surprising to see them used for that sort of application!
 
M3mphis said:
Wow. I've never seen anything like that! Is that method ever used for curved handles?
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Yup, they do curved handles like that too. The master that the pantograph rides on is something like 1 1/2 times the size of the finished handle. These masters are made from locust, or steel (which lasts longer), depending on how long they need to last, or how much budget is available.
 
M3mphis said:
Most are CNC'd aren't they??
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Some might be, but I'm fairly certain that BRC uses pantograph lathes. They list on their site that their handles are made on Defiance lathes which are analog copier lathes. My guess is that CNC lathes are too expensive and costly to train/pay operators, and repair, for a product that doesn't require high tolerances in manufacture. But like I said, some manufacturers may be using them. Visiting a handle factory has been on my list for a while now.

I seem to remember seeing a photo of Wetterlings handle blanks being turned on a 4-up lathe, but I can't seem to find it.

I didn't know that VB supplied Do It Best. I do like their handles. Although my favorite are still Green Seal/Green and White. I'm not sure who makes them though. They rotate in and out of the local hardware store (no pun intended!)
 
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