Love taps

A side shot would help, if possible. It may just be a case of needing to rasp the shoulders down, and as the head seats lower, it may shift back in the direction of the poll as post handles extend fairly far in that area. If that's the case, the head will shift back, helping to fill the eye, and you may just need a supplemental wedge or partial wedges to fill the top of the eye (as the bottom of the eye would be filled).
 
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It could shift back some ;)

It might be that your fullsized vintage Swedish axe head has a larger eye than what we see in our American axes?
 
Many Euro axe heads were eye sized for use with European Birch and Beech, and it looks like you might have one of those! And you do run out of fitting shortcuts and inventiveness when a darn 'domestic made' (ie n. American spec) handle is too small to begin with.
 
David Martin said:
The eye measures 2 3/4" X 1". I'll get you a side photo posted in a few. DM
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300Six said:
Many Euro axe heads were eye sized for use with European Birch and Beech, and it looks like you might have one of those! And you do run out of fitting shortcuts and inventiveness when a darn 'domestic made' (ie n. American spec) handle is too small to begin with.
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This is it. A standard American full size axe handle is 13/16" x 2-7/16", taking advantage of the strength of American Hickory. Not having Hickory, Europeans had to use weaker Ash, Birch, Beech, etc. The weaker woods needed more material to have adequate strength - hence larger eye size.
 
Ok, I understand. Thanks gents. This handle and the double bit style was all they had. Now, I have to return it and ask about a special order handle. One that will fit the Bruks Swedish head. If they can't order one then I'll look on line or drive 130 miles to a larger city and try to find one. What a pain, time and money. I best get 2 once I find it. Shucks! I suppose this spare axe is worth it as so many on this Forum speak highly of it. Yes, I'll be mostly spliting with it. Some limb work too. DM
 
Email Beaver Tooth. They might have a handle to fit that. Their stuff (made by Tennessee Hickory Products) runs large. Alternately, check you local chain saw shops to see if one of them carries Tennessee Hickory Products. They're fat and need some work but I have found them to consistently have the very best white hickory.
 
David Martin said:
Ok, I understand. Thanks gents. This handle and the double bit style was all they had. Now, I have to return it and ask about a special order handle. One that will fit the Bruks Swedish head. If they can't order one then I'll look on line or drive 130 miles to a larger city and try to find one. What a pain, time and money. I best get 2 once I find it. Shucks! I suppose this spare axe is worth it as so many on this Forum speak highly of it. Yes, I'll be mostly spliting with it. Some limb work too. DM
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I could cut you a hickory handle blank up to 34" long, custom spec'ed to that particular head. You'd just have to shape it down from square.
 
I wondered where you were and find you over here chopping wood. Why don't you try to find a mesquite limb the right size and whittle it down. Guys he is concerned with costs because he lives at the far end of the road that says "Middle of no where ahead". 300Bucks
 
300Bucks said:
I wondered where you were and find you over here chopping wood. Why don't you try to find a mesquite limb the right size and whittle it down. Guys he is concerned with costs because he lives at the far end of the road that says "Middle of no where ahead". 300Bucks
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Mesquite is way too brittle, and the way the grain goes every which way it's got built in run out. Three, four hits and it'd break. A limb from that oak might just do it, even as dense as it is. I know you're not 100% serious.... just sayin' :D
 
Was pulling his leg a little but his desert country won't offer many home grown handles. Those oaks are his best bet for sure.
For me I would be thinking the standard hickory and ash but wonder about persimmon and Osage Orange also.

I may soon be rich with axe handle wood as I have two 30 in. DBH ash trees in my front yard. And the paper just wrote a article how the introduced European ash borer was just discovered two counties away. Both trees are clean limbed for 25 ft. Maybe I should be searching for a small nearby sawmill.

300Bucks
 
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