My latest House Handle order

jblyttle

jblyttle

Joined
Sep 3, 2014
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I ordered 10 various hatchet and hammer handles (blacksmith and machinist) in different sizes. The order totaled $48 including varnish removal and shipping. I opted not to ask for hand selection as I didn't want to add $2 to handles that ranged from $2-3.25 each. In a couple cases I ordered two of the same handle but one AA and one B grade to see what the quality difference would be. This is what arrived.
As has been my past experience, all of the hammer handles that I have ordered from them have been very nice and well formed. I have had issues with axe handles but never these shorter straight ones. The two pair on the left are the duplicates, and in each pair the one on the left is the "B" handle. Also the right most handle is for an 8oz ballpein head. I ordered the "B" handle for this and it looks great. I think it may be oak or pure hickory heartwood but for a small light head this should be no problem at all. I think that they are much better than expected and more than serviceable. If anyone was wondering, this is what I found. If I were hanging a working axe on a 28-36" curved handle, I would ask for hand selection and get the AA handle, but for straight 12-18" handles I think that these are absolutely fine options.




 
I ordered 17 handles awhile back. They ranged from 44" Fletcher mattocks, 36" single bits, 28" boys, down to a scout hatchet handle with a bunch in between. The majority were 28" boys and 36" single bit. I asked for the handle selection. I was very impressed with every handle that showed up. Grain was excellent with no runout on any of them. Only complaint I would have were that the Fletcher and double bit handles were slightly "twisted" in that the eye portion and the butt were off by about ten - fifteen degrees. Not a big deal as far as I was concerned. Service was excellent - placed the order and they showed up in 3 days. They have kept me busy out in the garage ever since they showed up.
 
A good looking bunch for sure. I have to order up from them soon. I have six to eight tools in cue.
 
stevewest said:
I ordered 17 handles awhile back. They ranged from 44" Fletcher mattocks, 36" single bits, 28" boys, down to a scout hatchet handle with a bunch in between. The majority were 28" boys and 36" single bit. I asked for the handle selection. I was very impressed with every handle that showed up. Grain was excellent with no runout on any of them. Only complaint I would have were that the Fletcher and double bit handles were slightly "twisted" in that the eye portion and the butt were off by about ten - fifteen degrees. Not a big deal as far as I was concerned. Service was excellent - placed the order and they showed up in 3 days. They have kept me busy out in the garage ever since they showed up.
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I've often heard of the skewed tongue issue with them, but that seems to be the only common complaint. Makes me wonder about how their patterns are done up.
 
A crooked kerf cut on a house axe handle is my only complaint. It was crooked in every possible dimension, which I thought was amazing in its thoroughness :) but otherwise a nice handle.
 
I am about to place an order with HH for various handles and have some questions. Wondering what the difference is between Grade AA and hand selected Grade AA. Also wondering about varnish/lacquer removal. I've only ordered one HH before and it was a hand selected Grade AA 36" single bit axe handle. It was very thick and will need much thinning. Will it make my life easier to pay the $0.50 to have the lacquer removed by HH?

Biggest questions are about the Hand Selection vs. just regular Grade AA. The axes will honestly be used pretty infrequently, once the house & land is sorted they may be used a couple times a month for splitting firewood. I imagine I'll pick a favorite axe & hatchet combo and the rest will probably end up being well cared for dust collectors. The others, especially the ball peen hammers, mauls and sledges, will be used very frequently. I'll be ordering the following handles and at $2 each could someone offer an opinion on what handles it would be worth it to get hand selected?

8", 12" & 16" ball peen hammer
2x 12" carpenter
16" octagon carpenter
14" & 16" blacksmith/mini sledge
2x boys axe
4x 36" sledge & maul (may get 2x 30" and 2x 36")
1 bored & one non-bored hoe handles
4x scout axe handles (not sure on sizes yet)

There are a couple others that I'm missing but that's 20 handles and would be $40 in hand selection. What (if any) would be worth paying to have hand selected?
Thanks.
 
It's worth the the cost t have them remove the lacquer or whatever it is. Saves you a bunch of time. I can't say about the hand selection deal. I would for the axes and larger hafts.
 
pjwoolw said:
It's worth the the cost t have them remove the lacquer or whatever it is. Saves you a bunch of time. I can't say about the hand selection deal. I would for the axes and larger hafts.
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For 50 cents its a no brainer.
 
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