Where to get good axe handles that don't need any work

A

Aerosmith101

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Oct 28, 2018
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I have two vintage Axe heads to hang that I need handles for I got some from House handles and paid extra for the hand picked option one was okay the other was garbage, I've heard beavertooth is hit or miss as well. Where should I go to get quality handles that aren't going to need work right out of the box? I don't mind paying more money at this point I just want handles that work.
 
Consider checking out Whiskey River Art & Trading. Just about any handle will need some degree of work to fit them properly to the eye of your particular axe, though.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Consider checking out Whiskey River Art & Trading. Just about any handle will need some degree of work to fit them properly to the eye of your particular axe, though.
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Thanks I'll check them out, also do you have an idea about what date you'll be getting the Stella Bianca 4 in hands back in stock?
 
I have a memory from about a year ago(ish) about a handle maker on facebook or something that had some really nice looking handles. I think he was in the northeast somewhere. I don't remember the name and don't have facebook either.
 
Aerosmith101 said:
Thanks I'll check them out, also do you have an idea about what date you'll be getting the Stella Bianca 4 in hands back in stock?
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About two months, though we're exploring options that may allow us to source them a little faster. No idea if that'll bear fruit or not just yet though.
 
You can't unless you get a costly handmade handle or a NOS vintage handle, they just do not make 'em like they used to.

I should probably clarify though and say that I consider a vintage shape and profile mandatory, if you don't there are some that are better than others but I personally have never found a currently manufactured axe handle I considered acceptable from the factory.
 
If you carry a horseshoe with you to the local hardware stores, you MIGHT find an O.P.Link or Seymour that is straight, good grain and may not need anytuning depending on your idea of a proper swell. The wax coated ones are usually better than the varnish coating handles. I have found a few that were excellent, some that were very good but too fat(spokeshave and sanding).

It is tough to get something that makes your heart sing without putting in some sweat equity. Luckily for me, that is what Winter days are for.
Bill
 
Aerosmith101 said:
Where should I go to get quality handles that aren't going to need work right out of the box?
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Hickory n steel said:
You can't unless you get a costly handmade handle or a NOS vintage handle, they just do not make 'em like they used to.
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Sadly this is the state of things today. I've found maybe 3 or 4 ready to use handles in the past decade and these were for boys axes or cruisers (and they were all Links).

A few days ago Old Axeman sent me a few vintage handles. There are two 32" straight hafts, one oval, one octagon. Vintage 1980. These are absolutely ready to hang. Nothing like these is available anywhere today. I have a couple choice heads in mind for these.

IMG_4129a.jpg
 
I recall hearing of a guy named Killinger that makes pricey yet nice handles, as well another guy named Hoffman that has nice handles as well.
 
A17 said:
I recall hearing of a guy named Killinger that makes pricey yet nice handles, as well another guy named Hoffman that has nice handles as well.
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Hoffman makes some nice handles but the grips are angled down too far for my liking. The swells are also cut shorter than I like. If I'm going to pay for a premium handle I at least want a swell that reaches through my palm so it doesn't raise a blister in the heel of my hand.
Vintage curved hafts had long unclipped fawns feet.
 
Square_peg said:
Sadly this is the state of things today. I've found maybe 3 or 4 ready to use handles in the past decade and these were for boys axes or cruisers (and they were all Links).

A few days ago Old Axeman sent me a few vintage handles. There are two 32" straight hafts, one oval, one octagon. Vintage 1980. These are absolutely ready to hang. Nothing like these is available anywhere today. I have a couple choice heads in mind for these.

IMG_4129a.jpg
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Beautiful handles, he was very generous to send those to you.
 
There was a guy here went by initials COS that made BEAUTIFUL handmade handles but did not sell them. I have one and it is treasured.
Thing is, even if a guy is making 10.00 per hour, to make a really nice handle from a blank is going to take 3 hours at least. A good belt grinder would speed that up but still plenty of time invested. Most people are not willing to spend that money.

Bill
 
lmalterna said:
There was a guy here went by initials COS that made BEAUTIFUL handmade handles but did not sell them. I have one and it is treasured.
Thing is, even if a guy is making 10.00 per hour, to make a really nice handle from a blank is going to take 3 hours at least. A good belt grinder would speed that up but still plenty of time invested. Most people are not willing to spend that money.

Bill
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Yes, he goes by COTS (City of the South) and he made many hafts that were as close to perfection as can be.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/cots-project-thread.1233816/
 
Pegs,
Hello :) Yes, post #30 of that thread shows the Connie COTS hung for me in exchange for a couple of heads.
15775487220_b3134a26ec_c.jpg

I am ashamed to say that I have not sharpened or used it but it gets lovingly oiled once a year. Mayhap I will get on finishing that edge next weekend. I love the Connies but just tend to grab my smaller Maine wedges more often. I just do not cut much larger wood.

bill
 
AGRI Supply in Selma NC is where i ordered 5 ax hafts. Shows one shipment is arriving tomorrow. I’ll let you know if in my limited experience whether they are any good.
Needed a shorter haft with a smaller tongue since i was having to take way too much material off the Lowes haft i purchased.
 
I've used Tennesee Valley Hickory in the past for axe and tool handles. The axe handles will require a bit of fitting, but I always enjoyed that part.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Consider checking out Whiskey River Art & Trading. Just about any handle will need some degree of work to fit them properly to the eye of your particular axe, though.
Click to expand...
I read in some reviews of WR handles that they didn't have much of a palm swell, have you ever had this issue?
 
Not personally, no. But if you ever need to bulk up a palm swell it's trivial to splice on a little extra wood with some glue. It's not like the sides of the swell ever experience much strain.
 
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