Axe help

[TxAg]

I was just gifted an axe head that I would like to get up and running. I'll need to sharpen it and add a Hickory handle.

This is the note accompanying the axe head:
"I have an axe head that is very old. I have kept it in the house for 35ish years. Just always thought it was a cool paper weight.
True Temper Kelly Perfect 3.5 pound {I think it's} their Western or Pennsylvania design. I found a chart from 1925. Chart is on page 5....

 http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfpub...Pdpi72pt04.pdf   "


My question is....what handle would you recommend based on the Pennsylvanis shaped head? I think I want the 33" version but not sure if i shoukd get a contoured handle or straight.

All help is appreciated.

[damascusdave]

Axe handles, like anything you hang onto and put in motion, are all about personal preference...the bottom line is going to be how much you use it to get used to the feel of it...remember the most important part of cutting with an axe is to let the head do the work...if it seems to you like you are working you are going at it a bit too hard...I appreciate a nice wood handle as much as anyone but these days my working axes tend to wear synthetic ones

DDave

[Bud B.]

Make sure the grain runs correctly, just like a wood arrow shaft. Grain lines should run with the swing, not perpendicular. Slightly angling is OK.

If the blade edge is like this > grain should be like this = (or close. I prefer slight angling to straight line parallel) to the cutting edge. Not / or |

I have seen handles in hardware stores that the grain was all wrong.

[Kevin Dill]

http://beaver-tooth.com/collections/single-bit-axe-handles

 https://www.househandle.com/products.html#single

 http://www.tennesseehickoryproducts.com/products.shtml

 http://www.counciltool.com/DisplayCategories.asp?pg=displaycategories&category=60

[TxAg]

^^^ thanks. The Beaver-Tooth store had just what I needed. I took yalls advice and also watched a few youtube videos. I'm all fixed up.