Help me choose an axe handle for 2.5 lb single bit

Awesome! That's a true lumberyard. I can't find any hickory around here at all. That's an awesome find that should keep you making handles for quite a while!
 
Double Ott said:
Most of these boys axes are around a 2.5 Lb. head. Take your pick of a handle style.

[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Boys%20Axes/BoysAxesGroupshot005.jpg.html][/URL]

Tom
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Thanks, I think I'll pick all of them:D Actually, I'd like to try a straight handle like the second from the top and one with more curve like the bottom one. So the obvious solution is to make one of each. I have some other heads to hang but not a 2 1/2 lb. I think it would be useful to get a head like or similar to something I have and put them on each style handle and see how they work out for me.
 
SC T100 said:
Awesome! That's a true lumberyard. I can't find any hickory around here at all. That's an awesome find that should keep you making handles for quite a while!
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See if there's any local mills that sell in the area. I spent a long time looking at lumber suppliers in the area with no luck, but I found a mill that serves the St. Louis area that had a location close to where I live. They stock 8/4 hickory and sell at low prices since hickory isn't in very high demand. I stop in every month or so to check the stock and scored some nice curly hickory for future projects.
 
garry3 said:
What make is that house axe? Original handle?
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It's a Kelly Flint Edge. This head is in very nice condition. I don't think it is the original handle. It was hard to read the handle imprint, but it said "Fire...." something.
 
Thanks DBL Ott, I really like the house axes. Fire hardened or tempered was more than just a marketing gimmic I think.
 
my dad worked on railroad and section foreman for 35 years.. i worked with him '78-'79 and he had his special handles of Whipping /willow which couldnt get anymore...but driving spikes with those small round heads and that handle was very fun it did seem to actually whip{if you were good and strong} and the shock was different also..i hit many a spike in the day..and when 3 guys are all in time on the spike its awsome..if you glance the guy beside you had a lump on his shin...you were out for days.....well just a story with the handle suggestion..jeff
 
rjdankert said:
This followed me home yesterday:


Short version. 10 bf of 8/4 Hickory for $53 (including sales tax).

Long version. I stopped in the office and told them what I wanted. I needed to go to the lumber barn and see Jason. Jason was in his truck and heading out to lunch. I told them I could come back. They said no and one of the guys there went out and flagged him down. Jason turned around and I followed him in my car back to the lumber barn. The 8/4 hickory was buried at the bottom of a large stack behind another large stack and a large piece of equipment. There was also a forklift in the way (which apparently couldn't be used for the job). I started to feel bad about keeping him from lunch for a relatively small stick of wood. I suggested that I could come back, but he said no. So the forklift got moved and he came in with a large bobcat and dug out the 8/4. I picked a board that was 8 in wide and 9 ft long. They sell the boards as 8 ft but cut them longer. If my math is right, I actually got 12 bf. I didn't come there expecting to bring a 9 ft board home in my car, so I asked about cutting it and offered to pay. I asked to have it cut in three pieces. I figured one length for full size, one for boys, and one for hatchets. Of course no charge.
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Holy crap! They are proud of that stuff! Will 2 handles come out of each board or .... ? Still, I'll be watching how this turns out. Keep us posted.
 
cityofthesouth said:
Holy crap! They are proud of that stuff! Will 2 handles come out of each board or .... ? Still, I'll be watching how this turns out. Keep us posted.
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My plan is to rive billets out of the boards where I think I can get good handle material. Have to see what comes out.
 
rjdankert said:
My plan is to rive billets out of the boards where I think I can get good handle material. Have to see what comes out.
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Tough to tell in the pics but the grain looks like it runs pretty straight over the length. Here's hoping they work out good for ya. Should be some premium sticks when you get done.
 
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