Review: Racing Axes - 32". From J. Hollywood Edge Co. & Hickory Handle Store

cooperhill

cooperhill

Joined
Nov 14, 2011
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A quick review of initial impressions, comparison of racing axe handles from the Hickory Handle Store (HH) (pictured top) and J. Holllywood Edge Co (JHE) (pictured bottom (with sticker)).



A note: I don't have interest in either company and paid for the handles myself. I've gotten really nice handles from HH and think they are very nice to work with (very good responding to email requests, etc.). I've only ordered once from JHE (with good success).

I also know that handle quality (orientation, straightness, tightness of grain) can vary from axe to axe. Some people say it's not important. I tend to disagree as I'd like the best for my money and have it last as long as possible. With that said.

Straight:
Both handles are very straight when you sight down from knob to eye.

Look:
Both handles look very similar. Look like they are both good quality white hickory. Are unfinished at the bottom of the handle for the user to make his or her personal modifications. Both appear to be very nice handles.


  • Dimensions:
  • Eye. JHE measures 2 5/8" L X 1"W (at the widest part); HH measures 2 3/8" H X 7/8" W (at the widest part)
  • Overall length. Both are advertized as 32" handles. JHE comes in a tad short at 31 7/8"
  • Eye Length (from Shoulder to end of eye):
HH (4 5/8"):
JHE (4 1/2"):

Grain orientation:
Both are good. JHE seems to be a little better (tighter, more vertical). HH on the left, JHE on the right.



JHE:



HH:



Price:

HH: $24.97 (It's now on sale for 22.97 but this is the price I bought it at).
JHE: $18.99

Shipping: JHE: $7.83 (estimated on their site using postage calculator to NH); HH. $11.80 for one (as advertise on their site.). Shipping costs may vary, obviously.

So... In the end. Safe to go with either company but JHE wins this time in my mind as it is a cheaper cost and seems to edge out in quality.

Thanks for reading my first review!
 
Thanks for the quality review! Just wanted to add that JHE currently has my endorsement as well simply for there stellar customer service. I was unsatisfied w my racing handle and am awaiting a replacement (which I expect soon). But the follow up so far on their end has been very thorough and accommodating.
 
nickzdon said:
Thanks for the review cooperhill. What are you planning to hang on these bad boys?
Click to expand...

Thanks. Any advice on taking down the handle (that is unfinished)? I'm also going to have to remove quite a bit from the eye. What do you use? I saw a block plan and chisel in your pictures.

Plan to hang this:



and this:

 
thanks for the review. they look very nice...

a rasp works really well for taking excess material down... a 4-in-hand or just a simple rasp will work...
a plane and spokeshave also help, if you have them...:)
thanks, j
 
Hey, those are sweet axes for those nice handles!! Looking forward to seeing them hung!

I'm a big fan of the spoke shave for slimming down handles. A spoke shave will work better on curves than a block plane. I'm going to start looking for a radiused spoke shave since I already have a straight blade. They have combo spoke shaves too. They look sweet. I find that a chisel is fantastic for fine work in fitting the wood to eye. Really nice for working down the area where lugs come down on a kentucky or jersey pattern.
 
I second the spokeshave recommendations. I've been using a block plane because I can't find my spokeshave. Those are some nice looking Connecticuts!
 
I would be interested to find out your experience when it comes to handle with "good" grain vs one with "great" grain. What are the factors involved, how does each perform, and when does one accept good vs great? Do you find that the grain per se has more to do with handle malfunction or does operator error? If it is handle, how much so? How about thickness of the handle from top to bottom? You mention about having to do some work? Work to one is slavery to another. How much?

Thing about handles is, lets not get carried away. Its a handle. Treat it as such. We like to think handles have to be awesome and grain perfect. Is the true measure of a guy with an axe the ability to pick out the prettiest handle, or the ability to make the axe work with the handle he has?

Sorry, rambling.
 
Simply posting a comparison of two handles I got recently that were similar. I thought the review would helpful and figured I'd give it a try.
 
So how do you feel the tighter, more vertical grain pattern on the one handle will be of more benefit than the other handle?
 
I don't know. Clearly it was a mistake to post a review on something I don't know enough about.
 
Let me ask you this.

You are looking for an IPad. I post a review on it that I think it is awesome cause it looks cool and fits it my backpack.

Would you buy it?
 
Operator1975 said:
I would be interested to find out your experience when it comes to handle with "good" grain vs one with "great" grain. What are the factors involved, how does each perform, and when does one accept good vs great? Do you find that the grain per se has more to do with handle malfunction or does operator error? If it is handle, how much so? How about thickness of the handle from top to bottom? You mention about having to do some work? Work to one is slavery to another. How much?

Thing about handles is, lets not get carried away. Its a handle. Treat it as such. We like to think handles have to be awesome and grain perfect. Is the true measure of a guy with an axe the ability to pick out the prettiest handle, or the ability to make the axe work with the handle he ha

Sorry, rambling.
Click to expand...
well said...
 
cooperhill said:
I don't know. Clearly it was a mistake to post a review on something I don't know enough about.
Click to expand...

Personally, I appreciate your review. The information you included was helpful. Thanks for taking the time. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
I just ordered 3 32" racing handles from JHE, and 2 28" handles from HHS, along with 15 round wedges from HHS. Can't wait to get to work with each of them. Awesome review by the way. Thanks you for your insight.
 
A quick update. I spent a few hours yesterday trimming the Hickory Handle store racing axe handle down. I used a combination of rasp, belt sander and hand sanding. M3Mphis, I need to get one of those spoke shaves. Any recommendations on brands?

Going to hang the Collins Legitimus Connecticut. I'm honestly not crazy about the eye length on either handle. It's just barely enough for this big / wide Connecticut axe.

Cheers.





 
cooperhill, I think I have 5. I only really use two of them. Most of them are old Stanleys. Some are unmarked. I'll send you one. If you get your address to me right away, I may be able to mail it today. I've only tuned 2 of mine, so it will not be tuned up unless you want to wait, no biggie. PM incoming.
 
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