Thinning a HH haft or leave as-is?

[Square_peg]

Maybe fit the head first then see how it feels. You can then decide if you want to alter it.

I rarely leave a handle in it's original condition but that's just me.

This sounds right.

If you do decide to thin it examine it carefully before you start your work. You may be able to correct a minor straightness issue with your thinning. If you're concerned about maintaining symmetry then measure if in several places with a pair of calipers. Remove half of the material off of one side according to your caliper. When the first side is finished work the second side. Easy peasy.

 

[rockman0]

That is an impressive Puget Sound.



I like what you did with the knob/swell on the handle.
From the pictures it looks gradually tapered and very symmetrical - cabinet scraper primarily?

Took it down to roughly the shape i wanted with the rasp and the cabinet scraper took out all the rasp marks and put the finished shape on. Then 100 grit sand paper followed by 220 grit. I'll get it hung this weekend and post better pics with a close up of the swell. I spent a lot of time with this one since the 87 year old Puget is such a nice head I wanted to give it a deserving haft.

 

[quinton]

In order to thin an oval haft perfectly by hand, one needs layout lines to go by. I accomplish this by making the haft an octagon with perfect lines by eye, all flats running straight and of the same width, wider on the sides, narrower on top and bottom. Once the perfect thinness is achieved, simply, and gently round the corners of the octagon you created, or just leave it octagonalized!

 

[1215]

What tool is this?

 

[Steve Tall]

What tool is this?

That is a kukri knife (like the ones from Himalayan Imports which has a forum at BladeForums) that he was trying out, instead of his usual hatchet.

 

[1215]

That is a kukri knife (like the ones from Himalayan Imports which has a forum at BladeForums) that he was trying out, instead of his usual hatchet.

Is that what would be preferable to use to thin a haft or should I use a hatchet?

Thank you everyone for your responses. This is a much bigger learning curve than I expected. Not so much owning, using or maintaining an axe, but doing it properly.

 

[Steve Tall]

Is that what would be preferable to use to thin a haft or should I use a hatchet?

The kukri was shown as a suitable alternative to a hatchet, so either would work well (assuming good quality for each), but I don't know the pros and cons of how they would compare for thinning a handle.

Below is the relevant quote from Peter Vido's instructions:



"To remove the now clearly defined superfluous wood you have several options:

Using only a rasp is the most primitive, costly and time-consuming method, but it works and requires the least skill. (To rasp much off a hickory handle you had better have a good rasp; such rasps are not cheap and hickory wood dulls edges fast... but anyone can operate a rasp.)

The next most exact and “safe” method is to clamp the handle horizontally in a vice, saw down to the line at 1-2” intervals and then remove the wood with a chisel.

A faster option is a hatchet (or any other ax you can be reasonably accurate with) – or if you are a khukuri knife user this can be the tool of choice."

 

[Hacked]

I use rasps, cheap ones at that for a good bit of my work. A hatchet and sharp knife help to speed up the process but my primary tools are a 4 in hand Stanly and a rather aggressive Kobolt rasp. Maybe I'm just a noob.