Vintage haft, opinions please.

[rockman0]

I bought this for my Craftsman double oval but couldn't see the warp in the pics the guy posted. 36" Link handle. Would you hang it or keep it for a pattern handle? It will be a user. Thanks

 

[DarthTaco123]

You could always steam the handle and clamp it to bend the warp out of it.

 

[rockman0]

It's hard to see in the pics, it's more of a twist. The first picture shows it best, so I wouldn't know how to clamp it to untwist. My apologies if my original post is misleading.

 

[DarthTaco123]

Then you could steam and counter-twist? A handle does no good if it can't be used!

 

[halfaxe]

I would just steam or heat it, then clamp it to a bench or board for a few days. Sometimes you need to over correct.

 

[markv]

doesn't look too bad really
you might try to steam bend it. may take a couple tries
once you get it clamped good, let 'er set
buzz

 

[flexo]

i had a vintage g b scout hatchet, the haft was also vintage infortunately ,and broke while using ...

 

[300Six]

It's otherwise a very nice-looking, slim profile and grain correct piece of wood. You'd be surprised at how many slightly-crooked axes are actually in use without any complaints from their users. If you can figure out a way to thoroughly steam the section that needs twisting or straightening (tinfoil cover wrap over a pot of boiling water, for instance) I would think a concoction of clamps, hold-downs etc would remedy the problem. Perfection is not really a necessity for a user.

 

[Square_peg]

A fella recently showed an untwisting method on another website. Basically he clamped one end in a vise and put a big old monkey wrench on the other end. He hung weight on the monkey wrench to supply the twisting force and left it for a couple days. I was skeptical because he hadn't used steam but he said it worked at least to some degree.

I don't think I'd make the effort for that haft. But if you like the feel of it then maybe just save it for a pattern.

I found a photo.

 

[rockman0]

It's otherwise a very nice-looking, slim profile and grain correct piece of wood. You'd be surprised at how many slightly-crooked axes are actually in use without any complaints from their users. If you can figure out a way to thoroughly steam the section that needs twisting or straightening (tinfoil cover wrap over a pot of boiling water, for instance) I would think a concoction of clamps, hold-downs etc would remedy the problem. Perfection is not really a necessity for a user.

Apparently someone used it awhile, but no telling if the twist/warping occurred before or after. In this case I'm just looking for functional, but I really like the slim profile and flared foot.

 

[rockman0]

A fella recently showed an untwisting method on another website. Basically he clamped one end in a vise and put a big old monkey wrench on the other end. He hung weight on the monkey wrench to supply the twisting force and left it for a couple days. I was skeptical because he hadn't used steam but he said it worked at least to some degree.

I don't think I'd make the effort for that haft. But if you like the feel of it then maybe just save it for a pattern.

I found a photo.

At this point I think I'm saving it for a pattern. I will start ordering first run from HH and try my hand at working one down to a similar shape. I thank everyone for your input.

 

[quinton]

Correcting that handle would be a 2 step process. First, steam or heat, then clamp to straighten. Then, repeat with heat to correct the twist. Sometimes the first step will remove most of twist.

 

[osage outlaw]

That would be pretty easy to straighten with steam. Put it over a pot of boiling water for 45 minutes or so and then take it slightly past straight on a jig or with some clamps on a work bench. It will have some spring back when you unclamp it. Leave it clamped over night. I do a lot of steam and heat bending. Its amazing how easy wood will bend when you get it to the right temperature.

 

[rockman0]

You guys just about have me talked into trying to straighten it. Appreciate all the good advice.

 

[300Six]

You guys just about have me talked into trying to straighten it. Appreciate all the good advice.

It is your's, it's pretty, and there is very little risk. Go for it!.

 

[Square_peg]

At this point I think I'm saving it for a pattern. I will start ordering first run from HH and try my hand at working one down to a similar shape. I thank everyone for your input.

Not to dis House but look at Tennessee Hickory's stuff, too. The tend to come quite fat, almost like a baseball bat. But they make great blanks and the wood is absolutely first rate. I've not found another maker who can match their wood quality. You still have to watch the grain and be selective. But several of my favorites hafts are modified TH stuff.

 

[Square_peg]

That would be pretty easy to straighten with steam. Put it over a pot of boiling water for 45 minutes or so and then take it slightly past straight on a jig or with some clamps on a work bench. It will have some spring back when you unclamp it. Leave it clamped over night. I do a lot of steam and heat bending. Its amazing how easy wood will bend when you get it to the right temperature.

Even 20 minutes will do the job. It's the temperature more than the steam that softens the wood. Native Americans used to straighten arrow shafts over a fire with a special bending stick. No steam used at all. But steam transfers the heat quicker.

I use a roasting pan on the stove because it's wider and heats a longer section of the handle.

 

[garry3]

A fella recently showed an untwisting method on another website. Basically he clamped one end in a vise and put a big old monkey wrench on the other end. He hung weight on the monkey wrench to supply the twisting force and left it for a couple days. I was skeptical because he hadn't used steam but he said it worked at least to some degree.

I don't think I'd make the effort for that haft. But if you like the feel of it then maybe just save it for a pattern.

I found a photo.

I have used a similar method but with a pipe wrench and a cord doubled though the end of the pipe wrench handle that I twist up with a stick for the right amount of correction. I think like you that with out heat there is little chance of long term success,

 

[rockman0]

Even 20 minutes will do the job. It's the temperature more than the steam that softens the wood. Native Americans used to straighten arrow shafts over a fire with a special bending stick. No steam used at all. But steam transfers the heat quicker.

I use a roasting pan on the stove because it's wider and heats a longer section of the handle.

I like the roasting pan, good idea.

 

[osage outlaw]

I use a similar method as the wrench with the weights when I remove the twist from a bow limb. I use a heat gun unless its a major bend. When it gets to the right temperature it will start to untwist due to the weight hanging from it.