Thoughts on this handle pattern? Offsets?

[killa_concept]

So I have a 3 lb Keen Kutter Jersey that was hung on a 28" straight (more like 27.5" after being fitted) and after using it for quite some time, was really wanting to see if I would like it on something just a bit longer. The swell knob of the straight handle also felt a bit awkward for tasks that required some wrist rotation (like limbing) and thought maybe a more fawn's foot-esque knob would be friendlier (without going overboard with curve angle and compromising accuracy). Lastly, I was wanting to offset the handle a bit forward to be more in line with the actual balance point of the head (as single bits tend to be bit-heavy).

Here's what I eventually ended up with and would really appreciate some input:

It will probably be around 30.5" or so when hung, which I think should be around perfect for me at 5'4. Mostly I'm curious if any members here have experience with offsets of this kind. Does it help with accuracy at all? Does it feel awkward or at all compromised when choked up on for finer tasks? Should I make the offset more gradual towards the centerline?

 

[Square_peg]

G-Pig drops his handles like that. It makes complete sense from a balance standpoint. I take it the straight line is running through the balance point of this axe?

 

[killa_concept]

G-Pig drops his handles like that. It makes complete sense from a balance standpoint. I take it the straight line is running through the balance point of this axe?

Thank you! I was trying to remember who it was that made those handles so I could find pictures of his work.

And yes that's the rough estimation of the balance point as far as I could judge.

 

[halfaxe]

I think it will work well. I never made one though but I've seen a few old vintage single bit handles with less sweep like that. You are right about the balance point of a single bit. I would definitely like to hear how it performs for you.

 

[G-pig]

That looks fine, not too extreme so it should be a good start. I don't think it will effect choking up too much, especially given that it's a full sized axe and that's not it's forte anyway. But even still it will allow a fairly comfortable grip there if it's shaped right in other ways (I.E. not just the offset). You could make the offset more gradual towards the belly of the handle, but it's just a matter of prefernce. Try this first and make another that way later.

Here's some pictures of various amounts of offset on newer handles I've made.

 

[killa_concept]

That looks fine, not too extreme so it should be a good start. I don't think it will effect choking up too much, especially given that it's a full sized axe and that's not it's forte anyway. But even still it will allow a fairly comfortable grip there if it's shaped right in other ways (I.E. not just the offset). You could make the offset more gradual towards the belly of the handle, but it's just a matter of prefernce. Try this first and make another that way later.

Here's some pictures of various amounts of offset on newer handles I've made.

Very helpful mate! Thanks for the pictures as well.

This Jersey is actually my favorite axe because it's light enough (3 lb 2 oz) for me to use choked up for extended periods while still doing heavy work better than a boy's axe. I actually used it for the majority of the work on the first handle I ever made from a blank. Shaping wise, I was thinking of slimming it down a good deal and doing an octagonal pattern with the edges sanded down a tad. If I don't like it, I can always round it off further...

On a side note, can I ask what sort of files you use? Your axes seem to have very prominent banana grinds, which I absolutely love. However, the past two nicholsons (both made south of the border) I've purchased only handled 2, maybe 3 head restorations each (depending on the work needed) before they were skating too much. A real shame too since my old USA-made nicholson lasted me forever...

 

[G-pig]

I bought three Simonds "nu-cut" 12 inch files a few years ago. I just more or less used up the last one sadly.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Simonds, Pferd, F. Dick, and Grobet are all good makers to with for files.