New axe handle is a bit too big...

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WillieD

Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
266
Got my two handles today from Omaha Knife. Awesome service and great hand-picked handles BTW! Anyway my old Kelly head is a bit too small for the handle by about a 1/4". Is this common to be off that much? Sooner too big a handle than too small though, I guess. It's wood, I'm guessing I can shape it down anyway I want, but just wanted to make sure first. I'm thinking of just filing back the narrow portion to what I need then sanding the part of the handle right under the head to blend it in. Would this be correct? Also, these are the wax rubbed finish. Is that good to go, or should I sand the handle down so I can rub a few coats of BLO on it. Thanks for the help.
 
It is quite common for the head of the handle to have to be trimmed down quite a bit and the axe head fitted. It usually takes me several hours over several days to mount an axe head the way I want it. Take your time, do it rite, and be proud when your finnished! I don't use BLO on my handles, I use RAW linseed oil (aka flax oil).

Good luck!
 
In my opinion one of the best videos you could probably ever watch on the matter:
[youtube]IHmTLDG5aSg[/youtube]

Also, the coating is a preference... beeswax or varnish is generally applied on top of the handles to protect it for storage (the former being more desirable as it's not as likely to dry out the wood). Usually, most people rub this off this coating during the hanging procedure and give it a couple coats of some sort of oil to hydrate the wood and bring back a certain level of suppleness. Most people use linseed (boiled or pure) but don't overdo it though as too much will leave a varnish-like finish and cause blisters.
 
Got the one done. I did the messed up head first. The eye is a bit deformed and alot smaller than my other axe. Took a good bit of filing and sanding, but finished it up this afternoon. I even got the head to line up perfectly. Hope the next one goes good. Shouldn't have to remove as much material on that one. I'll post pics when I get everything done.
 
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