SHOW ME YOUR AXES

[two4spooky]

Wire wheel cleaned. Turned out to be a Plumb 3 2. Weight is 3lbs 9oz cleaned up.

 

[two4spooky]

If I use my imagination I think I can see the temper lines

 

[two4spooky]

What length handle will be most useful? 90%+ of my axe use is banging wedges while doing saw work. Very little time with a double bit. This DB will be general purpose use, maybe limbing or chopping. Most trees I end up messing with are hardwood, BlackJack(think LiveOak) is most common. Doubtful on any splitting with this one. 28" or 32" or something else? 24"?

 

[Joe Kidd]

I'd vote 20"- 22" for a wedge banger. I refuse to use a DB, 'fraid I'd split my biscuit. A GP@24" might be the ticket.

 

[Woodslasher]

What length handle will be most useful? 90%+ of my axe use is banging wedges while doing saw work. Very little time with a double bit. This DB will be general purpose use, maybe limbing or chopping. Most trees I end up messing with are hardwood, BlackJack(think LiveOak) is most common. Doubtful on any splitting with this one. 28" or 32" or something else? 24"?

I'm ~5' 10" and 32" for a double bit is my sweet spot.

 

[two4spooky]

35" Ace Hardware handle with head about 1/4" proud, no fitting. So I guess 33 1/2 or 34" finished. Maybe? Good length for 3 1/2# general purpose DB axe? Second Ace Hardware handle I've had. Good grain orientation, just odd handle profile. Profile is more like a 2x4 than an handle. I can fix the profile.

 

[two4spooky]

I'm ~5' 10" and 32" for a double bit is my sweet spot.

Good info. Really very helpful. I'm 6' even but kinda long limbed. I think I will go with the Ace handle. The handle was only about $20 locally. Second Ace handle I've used. I bought it because of the surprisingly good grain profile. Looking for a use for it. Thanks again, you made up my mind

 

[two4spooky]

I'd vote 20"- 22" for a wedge banger. I refuse to use a DB, 'fraid I'd split my biscuit. A GP@24" might be the ticket.

My "biscuit" is empty You have to trust me here. A split will only require a little duck tape and maybe a zip tie. We will be back up and running in no time. Not an issue

 

[JT78]

On a 3 2 double bit I like a 32 inch handle. I do like Tennessee Hickory not sure if they sell single handles as I have always ordered by the dozen from them. I normally shape my handles with a spoke shave and then sand them until smooth. If ya wanna go fast you can use an angle grinder with a flap disk and then an electric sander. So far the best handles I have found are whiskey River a bit pricey but their grade A handles are very nice. Both companies offer raw wood handles I don't like the laquer on my handles I prefer to sand them smooth I burn them and then coat them with raw linseed oil for a couple days until they don't soak the oil up as quickly. I generally run a 36 handle on my 4-5 lb doubles.

 

[Squareground3691]

On a 3 2 double bit I like a 32 inch handle. I do like Tennessee Hickory not sure if they sell single handles as I have always ordered by the dozen from them. I normally shape my handles with a spoke shave and then sand them until smooth. If ya wanna go fast you can use an angle grinder with a flap disk and then an electric sander. So far the best handles I have found are whiskey River a bit pricey but their grade A handles are very nice. Both companies offer raw wood handles I don't like the laquer on my handles I prefer to sand them smooth I burn them and then coat them with raw linseed oil for a couple days until they don't soak the oil up as quickly. I generally run a 36 handle on my 4-5 lb doubles.

Killinger Axe Handles,are some of the finest I’ve seen, ever use them ?

 

[Ronaldo]

2 below 0 here in Iowa this morning but no wind so I got some cutting and splitting done. Had two Cherry blow overs that have been off the ground, barkless and drying. Cherry usually splits easily and this was no exception. The Keen Kutter is a 5 lbs felling axe and the smaller one is a 3.5 lbs Hults Bruk that I rehung (House Handle Co) with hitting wedges in mind. Neither work as well for splitting as the Fiskars X25 but to be fair they aren’t really designed for it. This wood will go right in the boiler. Already tossed the root balls in.

 

[JT78]

Killinger Axe Handles,are some of the finest I’ve seen, ever use them ?

I have not

 

[Squareground3691]

I have not

 

[two4spooky]

Hung and a start of putting an edge on. Second hardware store handle and likely the last. Grain orientation great but wood seemed brittle, not hickory'ish. Dry and brittle, cracked while setting the wedge. Maybe the hickory was dried too quickly or such??? Got it done though. More edge work to come.

 

[two4spooky]

Handle originally felt like a 2x4. I tried to give an octagonal profile, first time for me to shape octagonal. Still feels thick but better. I need a draw file, tough work with a rasp.

 

[two4spooky]

Better view of my lack-luster octagonal shaping.

 

[two4spooky]

Still happy with results overall. As a user, I'll swing it. If the handle breaks because of brittle wood I will not be surprised, it will get a better handle fitted. The final length is right at 34"

 

[two4spooky]

 

[two4spooky]

Plumb 3`2 lbs, head finished at 3lbs 9oz. With handle 4lbs 11oz after a few days soaking in raw linseed. 34" total length

 

[two4spooky]

I definitely like and think I may prefer the rougher old heads with heavy pitting seeing use(or abuse). At least for a head to rehang and use. This is a COLLINS -BONDED-. Lot of character, old school been there-done that kind of feel. Hmmm... do I have an issue?