Waste of a good handle?

G

gben

Joined
Nov 26, 2014
Messages
501
I have had this new/old stock handle laying around for a year that came from a garage sale, today I found this single-bit axe-head in nice useable shape but with no markings on it that looks like it would fit the handle like a glove.

I was going to put them together, but then I wondered if the handle was collectable enough that maybe it should go onto an axe head that was more a showpiece than a user and I should just get a new axe handle for this head. I don't even know enough about axes to say if this is the correct style handle for this head or not.

So if I get more yays than neighs they will go together, but if people say I should let someone with a fancy collectible head have it and I should just go down to the hardware store and buy a new handle I will consider going that way.

The head is in nice shape and rings like a bell when you hit it with your fingernail.

Thanks.....




11745888_858597370897811_1458381164297086499_n.jpg
 
Lovely old and unclipped haft! Some users and collectors lust after these but as to whether this can translate into decent moolah in your pocket over and above the cost of a new store bought handle remains to be seen. Get yourself a current version of this handle and compare them: you might well decide to use the oldie only because they really knew how to make them back then and were more concerned with maximum strength and minimum thickness than they were liability and quality control issues that force modern makers to produce overly thick club-like hafts.
 
Looks like they would go together well. Old handles are collectible only in the sense that there are a few people, like those on this forum, that like them. We are not talking big money or demand I don't think.
 
I can see the conflict for sure. Even though it is unmarked, I think we can sort of see the higher cheeks in the pic. That's a good sign that it may be old enough to still have many of the features found on old axes, and so likely pretty good quality. Quality axe + quality handle, just makes sense to me. I can only guess the conflict comes from having seen some of these 50 or 100 year old NOS heads, or fancy stamps or whatever. Sure, if you had one, this would be the handle, but what are the chances? On the flip side of the coin, a vintage handle can be duplicated pretty closely today. You have to do it yourself and it's a fair amount of work, but plenty rewarding. I would be on the fence but honestly if you know you're going to be bothered by using the handle, but you know you'd like to use that head, I'd pursue the most accurate reproduction of it possible. I mean, that's coming from me. The handles interest me almost as much as the heads and so from my perspective the goal of reproducing vintage handles is enjoyable and challenging. Handles are overlooked today even more than axes are but there is no doubt in my mind that they got as much, if not more thought and care in their creation than the heads.
 
I would not use that old haft. They are indeed collectable and like COTS said can be duplicated easy enough by thinning modern ones down.
Can we get a picture of the label by chance?
 
Looks like a well matched pair, I would be struggling to decide whether to wait on a nicer head or hang that one. Tough decision.
 
halfaxe said:
Old handles are collectible only in the sense that there are a few people, like those on this forum, that like them. We are not talking big money or demand I don't think.
Click to expand...

Right, there's not a good market for old axe handles right now. Never the less they are rare as hen's teeth, though valued by only a few. I'd save it for a top notch axe. Or keep it loose. And as 42 said it would make a dandy pattern.

A picture of the label would be nice. A picture of the fawn's foot would be nice, too.

With that shoulder set so far back that haft is just screaming for the deep eye of a Connecticut pattern axe.

What's the overall length?
 
Here are some more photos, maybe someone can ID the axe head with this shot. It seems to be good steel. It is old but it is really sharp, and I know it is not scientific, but when a tool has a nice ring when you strike it you at least know it is not cracked. I figure if it made it this far and outlived a handle or two then it must be good quality. Thanks all for the interest. I will take a look at the handles in some local hardware stores and see how they look.

10911444_759757144115168_1914010928988976031_o.jpg


11754580_858905360867012_8466148343638974324_o.jpg


10934135_759757160781833_4141257055870545608_o.jpg
 
Square_peg said:
With that shoulder set so far back that haft is just screaming for the deep eye of a Connecticut pattern axe.
Click to expand...

That is a great angle there. I have a Connecticut that wants a handle and the ones I have right now don't have enough tongue to leave it proud.

Really nice handle there. Personally, I would hang on to that one and buy one for that Jersey head you have there. Noticed the ridges in it - bet it ends up a good head to work with: under file and into wood both.

If the handle were mine (it's not) I might wait til I ended up with a head to hang that didn't make me ask myself whether it warranted digging into a NOS handle. Kind of depends on how far down the "rabbit hole" you want to go.:)
 
I like that jersey head! From the looks of the red paint, no markings, no phantom bevels, and ribs, it might be a woodslasher, which I think are highly underrated. I would fix it up, paint it red and put it on a sturdy straight handle and use it. I have to admit vintage handles leave me cold, but I can see that one tickles a lot of fancies, so you should probably hold out for at least a Kelly perfect head in your favorite pattern. You could either hang it yourself or sell the pair to a collector type.
 
Nice handle. Thank you for the picture.
I think you will be happy with the axe head also. Just my opinion that the handle is nicer than the head though.

Many here order hand selected, no lacquer handles from House Handle co and then thin them down. Not the cheapest way to go but the grain orientation is good and you can get different lengths if 36" handles don't suit you, which is all I can find locally.
 
Is it safe to assume that Link was OEM for a number of axe manufacturers? Probably impossible to date the handle but I'd probably feel ok hanging it on anything with an intricate stamp in excellent condition, early 1900s, possibly even something from a company they produced handles for. I suppose Link may have records. Then again, fitting it likely means removing enough material to get through the patina. Tough call. I think with the right stain and/or concoction (and wood of course) a guy could produce an almost indistinguishable copy. I would say I agree with some other statements. There is nothing wrong with that head but it is an IDEAL user. It's basically perfect, but not "desirable" and still well made - essentially everything I look for.

Douglas, Emerson Stevens, early Collins, early Keen Kutter, early Plumb (well, "early" ... I should say as early as possible) .... the list goes on and on. You'll likely spend a bunch of coin and still feel bad about using it. By the same token, it's hard for me to spend a bunch on a special head, but I am glad some people do.
 
cityofthesouth said:
Is it safe to assume that Link was OEM for a number of axe manufacturers? Probably impossible to date the handle but I'd probably feel ok hanging it on anything with an intricate stamp in excellent condition, early 1900s, possibly even something from a company they produced handles for. I suppose Link may have records. Then again, fitting it likely means removing enough material to get through the patina. Tough call. I think with the right stain and/or concoction (and wood of course) a guy could produce an almost indistinguishable copy. I would say I agree with some other statements. There is nothing wrong with that head but it is an IDEAL user. It's basically perfect, but not "desirable" and still well made - essentially everything I look for.

Douglas, Emerson Stevens, early Collins, early Keen Kutter, early Plumb (well, "early" ... I should say as early as possible) .... the list goes on and on. You'll likely spend a bunch of coin and still feel bad about using it. By the same token, it's hard for me to spend a bunch on a special head, but I am glad some people do.
Click to expand...

You hit the nail right on the head with removing the patina. I work as much from the bottom up as I do from the top down when I hang an axe. That patina removal is no small thing to try and recreate. I can't do it to my satisfaction.

This is an older handle that has not seen that much daylight. I can probably pull it off with this little hatchet handle, just waiting for the right head. I am a patient man.


P1010002_zpsclzkbrkn.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
cityofthesouth said:
There is nothing wrong with that head but it is an IDEAL user. It's basically perfect, but not "desirable" and still well made - essentially everything I look for.
Click to expand...


Agreed. A really good user. As BG_Farmer said it's likely a Woodslasher.

But that handle is too nice to go beat up. The handle is probably from the 50's or 60's. Save it for a good a pairing with a nicer axe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top