The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
I will admit the chances of me using it are very slim.
Your advice makes imminent sense for anyone wishing to experience/experiment the joys (?) of swinging one of these ominous things. Not having to have a flat at the end of the handle makes sense too since very little tapping or banging is required in order to seat the head.Here's one I restored last year. The brush axe head is from the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. The handle is off of a vintage True Temper. As 300Six noted a true brush axe handle will have no kerf as no wedge is used. The strap below the shoulder keeps the head on the handle.
Carefully rasp down the handle until the the head will just slip down far enough to attach the strap. You might have to force the bolt a little to get it through but that's good. This way there's no wiggle in the mounted head.
I think it's important to use a curved handle for a brush axe. It stays in your hand better. You're swinging it like a big pendulum and the force pulling it out of your hand is greater than the force generated during typical axe use. A generous and abrupt swell at the end of the haft is a must for this reason. If you have any doubts about your grip then add a short band of friction tape just on the swell. Any more tape beyond that will just raise blisters. Best is a great swell and no tape.
This haft has the classic unclipped fawn's foot (no flat spot on the end) that I find most desirable.
Not having to have a flat at the end of the handle makes sense too since very little tapping or banging is required in order to seat the head.
You're a better man than me! I may love and reminisce about axes but purposely enrolled in a college small engine program a few years ago because Stihl Co. makes short and effortless work of just about anything to do with live and dead shrubs and trees. For Arctic fly-in and wilderness hunting trips and canoe-in camping I still go for hand tools but that's about it.The corner at the end of the swell will sometimes raise a blister on the heel of my palm. Unclipped fawn's foot handles extend through the palm and never raise that blister. Of course others may have a different preference than mine.