Should this Keen Kutter tomahawk have a straight handle?

T

the possum

Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
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I picked up this Keen Kutter at an estate sale last weekend for a dollar. The head has seen better days, and has some toe wear, but after reprofiling and honing the edge I think it has a lot of life still left in it.

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I really do love the shape and curves of this handle, but I don't think it suits this head. It just feels too small, and I'm assuming it originally had a straight handle for using the hammer poll.

This handle was never hung properly, and it needs redoing either way. I believe I can easily remove it without damage. The question at that point is whether to reinsert it properly, or save this curvy vintage haft for a more appropriate head & rehang it with a straight haft. What do you guys think?
 
Probably a straight handle? I wondered the same thing but both this TT Dynamic and Flint Edge came with straight handles.

Are they original handles? I can’t be sure but they seem to want straight handles to use the hammer side.
Dynamic


Flint Edge


I would definitely try to keep the handle. It looks like a great one to use on another tool.
 
I don't know about the Keen Kutter versions but the True Temper Dynamics came with slightly curved handles. IMO the handles are too short for the weight of the hatchet. They would be better served by a 17"-18" straight handle.

Mint%20Tommy%20Axe.JPG


The little bit of octagonalizing on the back of the haft near the shoulder was typical of most, but not all TT Dynamics. If you find the octagonalizing then you likely have an original haft.
 
I had tried searching for images to see if I could find an original example, but my google fu is weak. This is about the only good picture I could find, and considering how nice of shape the head is in, I'm lead to believe it could have an original handle too, but no way to be positive.
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That handle actually looks a little short to me as well- about the same length as the curved handle currently on mine. The weight of this head feels like it wants a longer haft.
 
Why you are calling this a "tomahawk" is a lot more interesting to me than what sort of handle it ever had on it.

Very easily found old catalogs I see these in call them flooring hatchets. The produce and barrel hatchet looked the same but with checkering on the hammer part. Also very similar are the half,shingling and lath hatchets.

And those catalogs show them with straight handles. Just about every company made them and every hardware chain sold them.
 
I have a Keen Kutter mini-hatchet with that exact handle. It may be that someone rehung your hatchet with a new Keen Kutter handle, even though it was meant for a hatchet only, not a hatchet/hammer combo.

If you're going to use the hammer much, I'd go with a straighter handle.

***

Wow, Square Peg, that Tommy Axe is gorgeous.
 
the possum said:
I had tried searching for images to see if I could find an original example, but my google fu is weak. This is about the only good picture I could find, and considering how nice of shape the head is in, I'm lead to believe it could have an original handle too, but no way to be positive.
s-l1600.jpg


That handle actually looks a little short to me as well- about the same length as the curved handle currently on mine. The weight of this head feels like it wants a longer haft.
Click to expand...

That looks like a factory hang and the hatchet shows so little wear that I would expect it to be a factory hang.
 
gben said:
Why you are calling this a "tomahawk" is a lot more interesting to me than what sort of handle it ever had on it.

Very easily found old catalogs I see these in call them flooring hatchets. The produce and barrel hatchet looked the same but with checkering on the hammer part. Also very similar are the half,shingling and lath hatchets.
Click to expand...

:p Like I said, my google-fu is weak. I didn't know what to call this pattern, and the first picture I finally found of one was referred to it as a tomahawk style, so that's what I called it.

The only catalog I have is a 1923 Shapleigh Hardware, and they do not show any hatchets with this distinctive elongated squared off hammer poll. Their flooring hatchets are flat on back, though I can certainly see they must be cousins. If you have any catalog pics of this hatchet, it would be neat to see 'em. Sometimes I print off interesting historical info to keep with treasures I've found.

Anyway, thanks all for the help. Now that I know the True Temper dynamics were basically clones (or possibly even made in the same plant?), I've found plenty more images that all show this head with a straight handle, so that helps with my decision to rehaft it. Now I just need to find a decent handle.
 
the possum said:
I didn't know what to call this pattern, and the first picture I finally found of one was referred to it as a tomahawk style, so that's what I called it.
Click to expand...

It makes sense that you would associate a Keen Kutter Dynamic with the True Temper line of Dynamics which were marketed as being derived from tomahawks. One of the Dynamics was even named the 'Tomahawk'. I knew what you meant right away.
 
Thanks for that ad, Steve. That's pretty cool.

I'm inclined to think Square_peg's suggestion of 17"-18" would be about perfect. My travels today took me past 3 different hardware stores, but none had anything appropriate. One place had a 14" handle, and another said the max length they could order for me (straight handle with a teardrop eye) was 16". I was hoping to not have to order one & spend more on shipping than the handle cost, so I guess I'll just keep my eye out for one & hope I get lucky.
 
I found this at an estate sale today. True Temper Dynamic with original True Temper "fire hardened" handle.

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Square_peg said:
I don't know about the Keen Kutter versions but the True Temper Dynamics came with slightly curved handles. IMO the handles are too short for the weight of the hatchet. They would be better served by a 17"-18" straight handle.

Mint%20Tommy%20Axe.JPG


The little bit of octagonalizing on the back of the haft near the shoulder was typical of most, but not all TT Dynamics. If you find the octagonalizing then you likely have an original haft.
Click to expand...

Funny to see you post it. I actually just snagged a TT Tommy Axe head at an estate sale on Friday. It's just the head, no handle. I have a 19" handle ready for it that i just need to refinish and hang.
 
19-3ben said:
Funny to see you post it. .
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I thought it was funny to post the photo too, because it is not a flooring hatchet and has nothing to do with the thread or the question it asked.

As can be seen by the original example in the photo I put up, It was silly of Square Peg to assume that TT flooring hatchets had "slightly curved handles" just because a completely different style of TT hatchet does.

This is why internet forums are at the bottom of the list when it comes to finding information on any subject. People are a lot more eager to Show and Tell than they are to uncover actual facts and history about anything.

Take a look at olybears and 193ben's comments below, they would rather defend misinformation and errors than discover anything useful.

If I ever put any misinformation up about any axe or hatchet I would be glad if someone corrected me and helped me learn the facts about their history, but here as in most internet forums egos are a lot more important than anything else.....
 
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