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New (old) ax, what kind of handle should it get?

P

Pondoro2310

Joined
Apr 13, 2014
Messages
522
It weighs between 4-5 pounds. Are there different lengths or shapes of handle that I should think about? I have no strong plans for this, I just want to put a handle on it because it is old. I do clear a lot of honeysuckle bushes but I tend to use a lopping shears or a sawzall on them.

 
A good full size axe like that belongs on a 32"-36" handle. If you plan to use it mostly for bucking then go short. For splitting go long. It's much too big for clearing shrubbery.


Pay a little more for the Grade AA handle and a few bucks more again for 'octagonal shaping' (add it in the notes at purchase).

https://www.househandle.com/products.html#single
 
Pondoro2310 said:
What is octagonal shapimg?
Click to expand...

An octagon helve on a Kelly Black Prince double bit Swamping pattern.

DSC_0458.jpg


Tom
 
What branding is on your axe? Do I see a hint of an oval shape?

My favourite haft for a axe that size is 32 inches. I am not a fan of straight hafts (just personal choice) but love to see a nice curve with a deep belly and not too thick throat.

I would defiantly like to see your axe again when you re-hang her.

regards...Frank
 
Well I bought a new 36 inch handle at Menards because I didn't want to wait for shipping or pay for shipping.




I spent about an hour with calipers and a file, I got the first 1/4 inch of the handle end to fit the eye of the ax perfectly, then I used the calipers to help me shape the entire end to match. The sides of the newly-shaped part were parallel and long enough to let the head slide onto the ax completely. The eye is not perfectly symmetric - you can see that in the top down picture.

I've heard two theories - add metal wedges perpendicular to the wood wedge or don't add them. What do you all think?
 
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Keep the maple and you can turn it into axe handles in the future! That's a whole different level of fun!
 
You did a fine job of re-hafting. Don't bother with the diagonal or perpendicular metal wedges; some sort of gimmick on commercial installs to make you believe the primary wedge won't work it's way loose.
 
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