Splitting Maul Handle Shape

[BingBongBoy]

I've seen the debates about whether a fiberglass handle or a wooden handle is better, but I'm curious about the shape of it. I've noticed that many mauls seem to have a straight handle or nearly straight while chopping axes have that curve in there. Is it better for a maul to have the more straight handle? Would it be bad to put a chopping axe handle on a maul?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Curved handles are usually more of a wrist comfort thing for underhand bucking but they usually don't interfere with most other tasks. There won't inherently be an issue with it except that you're less likely to have good continuous grain end to end on a curved handle than a straight one, and given the nature of the abuse splitting axe/maul handles tend to get vs. chopping axes do it's generally best to go with a straight one if using natural materials. Furthermore, certain splitting techniques require the reversal of the grip on the tool, giving another point to the straight handle.

 

[BingBongBoy]

Hey, thanks a lot! It's so simple but I never thought about the reversal aspect!

 

[Dusty One]

I have three all with straight handles. One has fiberglass and two wood. I use the fiberglass the most.

 

[flexo]

Same for me, for a few logs, I use a wooden handle, but for more intensive work, I switch to fiberglass. and everything is straight so as specified above, I can drive in wedges.