What features should I request in a decent handle?

D

dejard

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Oct 10, 2014
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133
I'm planning to buy the Council Tool Forest Service Axe from Omaha Knife. They have a $10 upgrade available for the option of choosing a handle with particular grain orientation, color, etc. What exactly should I request in a decent handle? I know that runout is bad and the grain should run parallel to the head, but is there anything else I should be concerned about? Thanks!
 
For $10 you could start keeping your eye out for a perfect replacement handle of your very own choosing! Presumably the $10 option means 'hand picked' rather than first off the shelf. If you opt for this upgrade (and I probably would) make sure you specify parallel end grain to the head and minimal or no runout and single colour wood. I'd also ask that it not be lacquered or painted. Make them work for that extra $10. You'd think (for $10) in this day and age that distributors would send strategic email pictures of a selection of numbered handles for you to personally choose from!
 
I don't think you can get the 'no-lacquer' option from Omaha. You can request that from House Handle. But Omaha is just a reseller for Council. I don't they would sand a handle off for you.
 
Thanks, guys! Being able to pick a specific handle from pictures would be nice. I've done that in the past with specific pieces of dimensioned lumber through Bell Forest.
 
I believe the CT forest service axes now come with Velvicut handles. If that is the case, then already the grain orientation is between 10 and 2 o'clock, which is the Velvicut spec. You can specify all sapwood or all heartwood or a mix for the extra $10.
 
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