Lee Reeves Axe. My answer to the "chopper"

[tarmix101]

Read this thread- Finally located it!:thumbup::

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376789&highlight=Curley+Maple

Great find HD. This response from Ken (AKA Ironwolf) says a lot regarding maple handles (curly or plain):

A few years back I put a maple handle on one of my own hawks, to see how well it would hold up. I went through three in one season. Now I will only use it for a presentation piece, or by customer request, and I will tell him/her that the handle will not hold up as well as ash or hickory.

Northstar, I am surprised that ash didn't work out for you, as it seems to hold up as well or better than hickory in my experience.