Want/need a custom made axe handle - anyone have an idea where to buy one?

jeffsenpai

jeffsenpai

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Hello!

Some time ago I purchased a Paul Chen Viking Short Axe, http://www.casiberia.com/prod_Detail.aspx?id=XH2044N

Only problem is that there are no replacement handles available, and the original one broke, so I am trying to find a good replacement - something extra tough and durable, as this is my camp axe. Anyone here have an idea where I could get one made?

Thanks!

Now a work in progress, see newer posts.
 
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I would just get sledge hammer or mattock handle and carve it down to fit.
 
Get an hickory or an ash raw sledgehammer/pick-axe handle from a hardware for $5-$10 and shape it to your needs.
It can be by hand using a knife/scraper and sand paper. Might require a few trials to get a good results (you often start removing too much).
Arguably anyone a little crafty could do it. A band saw speeds up the process.
Treat by applying layers of linseed oil or other wood treatment oil.
 
Not sure if I have the skill to take this on myself. The handle itself is an odd shape, kind of rectangular-oval, and I haven't seen any replacement handles that would likely fit it. I figured there may be a craftsman I could send the axe head to to have it professionally done.
 
Shouldn't be too hard. The key is to take your time and keep comparing the eye to your work on the end of the handle. Don't rush it! :thumbup:
 
Take it to a few local hardware stores and see what is a close fit. You can do it, will just take a bit of time. Shipping the head/handle back and forth for someone to do it for you and their time may cost more than the original item.

Give it a shot! You can do it.
 
sand a bevel edge around the top of the handle so the head will start to fit on, give it a solid tap, pull it back off, then remove anything that scrapes it/discolors the wood.
you want it to slide on and off with a little resistance but not lots - then drive in a wedge or 2 to lock it in place.

put a general location in your profile and maybe there will be someone close to you willing to help.
 
Ok, trying this out. A work in progress!!

I bought two Ames 36'' sledge hammer replacement handles. I started to sand, and did a little whittling to get the axe head to fit on the different style handle, with some mixed results.

Here, a bit of sanding and whittling, and I can get the head this far onto the handle, but look at the gaps:

photobucket-6033-1318051497337.jpg


The axe head seems designed for a narrower handle than the sledgehammer handle comes as.

Another, here you can see the gaps on either side:

photobucket-5280-1318051529180.jpg


And finally here you can see a comparison to an unaltered handle, so you can see how much material I have removed:

photobucket-5606-1318051448142.jpg


Not sure if I need to continue with wood removal so I can push the head further down the handle? What do i do about the gaps that will likely be present in the finished product? I am tempted to grab a can of GREAT STUFF and fill it in with that :p
 
i believe you've removed too much material. the 'new handle' looks like that it would work. just dont take so much material off.
do you have wood rasp, files, etc.? they really help.
dont worry about it. it takes time to learn, you'll get it;)
 
bearhunter said:
i believe you've removed too much material. the 'new handle' looks like that it would work. just dont take so much material off.
do you have wood rasp, files, etc.? they really help.
dont worry about it. it takes time to learn, you'll get it;)
Click to expand...

I know, it does look quite loose. But at this point it is very tight at the bottom of the axehead, I will probably have a tough time removing it. It does of course have some sideways "give" to it, because of course the lack of material holding it firmly in that area. I was a bit disappointed when I compared the new handles to the axehead's hole, as they do not come "long" enough to fill up that entire gap area.

I think that if I start to use my second handle I will remove less material along the curved area and more along the center, as that is where the handle seems to bind on the wood.

Only real tools I am using are the sander in the picture, and a mora knife.
 
I learned the mistake of purchasing the wrong handle a long time ago--I now always take the tool head with me to the store to check the eye dimensions against what handles they have in-store. :o
 
I think you may need to start with an ax handle rather than a sledge handle. Ax handle should have more wood to the front and rear.
 
I'm a little late to this thread, but in the event you haven't finished this project, I just ran across the site for a custom handle maker if you want to check it out. I don't think we're allowed to place a live link, but do a search for Uncle Pimpys Axe Palace and you'll find the site.
 
If you go to the website for Tennessee Hickory Handles, they have an instructional PDF on replacing (or installing, "hanging" in axe parlance) handles. If you search "axe maintenance," you can find a few handle hanging instructionals and videos.
 
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