Where to Buy Handles

[mhutch]

Hey all,
I live in a place where I don't have local access to any source for good axe handles. I also don't have the time or skill to make my own, though I'd like to someday. So long story short, I have to order my handles from someone. From what I've gathered it seems like Tennessee Hickory Products/Beaver Tooth and House Handle are the most popular suppliers. I've ordered from both of them in the past, and with both I've received some good and some bad handles. Both have given me handles with bad grain orientation, warping, or handles that were just plain crooked. Now that I'm restoring a few nice vintage axes as opposed to just working tools I want to make sure the handles are as good as I can get.

Where do you guys get your handles from? How do you ensure that they don't give you a sub-par one?

Thanks!

 

[300Six]

Wouldn't hurt if you admitted to your general geographical location, beyond Nomadic.

 

[Agent_H]

Hey all,

Where do you guys get your handles from? How do you ensure that they don't give you a sub-par one?

Thanks!

I've never ordered from Tennessee Hickory but I hear their products are very good. A few here have mentioned here that they come to the end user a little larger than some. A positive if you want to have some control over how thin you would like your handle to be after working it.

House Handle has been good to me. I've placed 3 orders with them in the past. All 3 came in a reasonable amount of time. You will want to specify that you want their AA grade/hand-picked. Megan (I believe that was her name) was pleasant and helpful on the phone the one time I called to talk to a human.

Ace True Value (or the likes) can be very hit-or-miss but I find Link handles there from time to time that are worth the time and money. I tend to look every time I go out and buy good handles even when I don't have a project in mind - they will get used at some point. For example, right now there are three 36" straight handles with nice grain and no real blemishes in the garage primarily because they were available. I actually told the manager of the local one that if he ordered higher quality handles, that he would sell more to offset the $1 more for each on their end.

Another option is to pick up an old axe cheap, chosen specifically for it's handle, and use that to hang a project/tool. Many of my user axes have handles from other worn or tired axes. I like the idea of re-using materials when I can as opposed to discarding them - you can sometimes find some good quality handles attached to steel you would necessarily rehang.

I've had hit or miss luck at a military surplus store in a neighboring town that routinely gets tool handles as well. Many are seconds or are diamonds in the rough (ie, need a lot of shaping or truing-up) but end up being better than what you might pick up at a big box store for more money.

 

[jblyttle]

My local Lowes has a bunch of Link 36" handles and quite a few of them are actually superb, really very good. And $10. The problem is that they only carry 36" sticks and I really don't need those. I prefer 13-28" and everything in between. So, even though I can buy handles at tons of places around here, I too am limited to buying online. I make short ones, but I don't yet have the time or skill for good longer curved handles.

I have ordered from House Handle and I will say that they are probably your best bet even if you have had trouble before. Pay the $2 for hand selection, specify what you want in a handle in the notes and you will probably get a good one. I did this on my last order of four. Three were great, one unfortunately was an embarrassment. However, when I contacted them about it, they sent me a replacement at no cost and took the old one back including shipping. It was easy, they quickly fixed the problem and the replacement was great. This probably won't happen to you, but know that if it does, it will be made right. No one is perfect, but I allow people a chance to fix things before I judge an error. They got an A+ for customer service and earned my future business.

One note, if you know that you will need more than one or two handles, stock up- especially if you want a couple of different types around, even for hammers etc. You get a much better return on shipping per handle that way. When ordering just ask for the cheapest shipping option. Good luck!

 

[mhutch]

Wouldn't hurt if you admitted to your general geographical location, beyond Nomadic.

Currently in Kansas and I have access to a good shop here so I've been getting a lot of work done. I'll probably be moving to Seattle more or less permanently in the coming couple months.

 

[mhutch]

Pay the $2 for hand selection, specify what you want in a handle in the notes and you will probably get a good one. I did this on my last order of four. Three were great, one unfortunately was an embarrassment. However, when I contacted them about it, they sent me a replacement at no cost and took the old one back including shipping. It was easy, they quickly fixed the problem and the replacement was great. This probably won't happen to you, but know that if it does, it will be made right. No one is perfect, but I allow people a chance to fix things before I judge an error. They got an A+ for customer service and earned my future business.

Ah, hand selection. Didn't know that was an option. There's my first mistake. Looks like House is the place to go!

Thanks!

 

[lmalterna]

Like others have said- I hand pick from Link handles at local hardware stores(28", 32" and 36") and order from HH. I usually get one or two not up to snuff from HH but percentages are good and yes, hand select AA. I find a use for the one or two that do not rate a nice axe and still have good handles at bargain prices. I have heard HH will work with you on returns but have never asked myself.

Another option I have not tried but some have great things to say is Council Tool replacement handles- especially the Velvicut line. They are a little pricey but give more of an assurance of a good stick for a special axe.

I was going to try GBA replacement handles but they have funky eye dimensions. They come a little fat but generally very good quality.

Bill