Keen Kutter Hatchet handle ?

[jmh76]

Well this is the first axe handle i've ever made. I am using my wifes grandfathers Zyliss vise, man this thing is awesome. Really works great for this. Anyway, I was wondering what are the drawbacks of seating the head on a shoulder? Do you think it will losen? I really like the look. Being such a small hatchet it will most likely be kindling splitter. Let me know what you think.

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[markv]

you have a nice shop set up. Keen Kutter was and is still a sought after brand around these parts.
good eye for making handles. a real fawn foot.
i've seen the Zylis vise offered on the bay. i have a Black & Decker Quick Vise. it is real handy

buzz

buzz
i knock out a few handles ever once in awhile when the need arises and i have the material to work with. i am impressed with your work. if you really get a kick outta making handles you might want to make a shaving horse. you can google shaving horse for an example to build from.
the old timers seldom bought tool handles as they had plenty of wood stored up in the rafters in the barn and they could build a shaving horse pretty quick also

all good

 

[Square_peg]

I was wondering what are the drawbacks of seating the head on a shoulder? Do you think it will losen? I really like the look. Being such a small hatchet it will most likely be kindling splitter. Let me know what you think.

My worry is that the head wouldn't be tightly filled at the bottom of the eye just above the shoulder. Any motion of the handle inside the eye results in abrasion to the handle and eventually loosening of the head. If you set it with construction adhesive then the risk of that would be minimal.

Also, be careful about putting too much curve at the end of your handle. Read this.
http://axeconnected.blogspot.com/2011/02/straight-versus-curved.html

I think a skilled axe man can overcome most of the theoretical inaccuracy of a curved handle. But if the curve gets more extreme then the axe man's skill will need to be better accordingly.

Aside from that your work is excellent and I love your shop.