Questions about old hand tool handles

Adirondack case guy · Feb 17, 2020

I have several more older hand tools that I want to make handles for, and need info on length and profiles to make them.
#!
Small wide faced single bit axe. I believe it was used to perfect the sides of hand hewed beams. Notice the offset of the eye in the head and slight curvature in the head.
#2
Maybe "Miner's Axe" small and has a round eye tapered to the end so the head has to be slid over the top end of handle and lock onto a tapered bottom end of handle.
#3
A small Adze. how long should the handle be???
The last #4 I presume is a fire forged fishing spear Notice the main shank has an eye forged in it and the U shaped tines have been locked into the eye with tapered gib keys. The thing that puzzles me about this spear is that the top of the shank is rounded and threaded. Perhaps the wood handle had a pocket for a nut???? to hold it tight in the the handle #1

#2

#3

#4

all comments and info will be appreciated and considered when I fabricate the handles.-----------------Loren

Russ from MN · Feb 17, 2020

I think what your calling a miners axe is a mattock, I have one, and it takes the same handle as a grub hoe. Because so many of those tools were made by local blacksmiths handles might not be interchangeable. The axe looks like one I saw in a video of some Finlanders building a log cabin, they were using it to smooth the inside. I have an adze like yours with an original handle, and it has a lot of curve to it, and quite long.

Russ from MN · Feb 17, 2020

Here's the video of the Finns building the log home with hand tools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3J5wkJFJzE

RedMF40 · Feb 17, 2020

Can't help with the handles but years ago took a tour of an old coal mine. The guide was an older man who would have used a pick-axe to mine coal in his day. He asked for volunteers and I said sure, since I'd already worked with a bunch of tools like that. I remember I asked if it was an authentic pick-axe like they would have used. Yes, it was a proper tool for mining. Handle was a bit on the short side, why I asked. Just now I think about working underground all day swinging that pick.

funky_g00 · Feb 17, 2020

The hewing/debarking axes I have or have ever seen are all standard hatchet or hammer length and style handles. Probably 15- 20 inches long. The miner's axe or mattocks you should be able to find an after market handle for as they are still made. If you can not find one I made one by making a handle with a shoulder on the upper end so the head could only slide on so far. Then a took a piece of PVC the depth of the handle with the right ID to fit the handle tapered it until everything fit snugly in the head and on the handle. I then put a couple of screws along the edge of the handle to hold the PVC in place. The adze originally would have had a curved handle but I have made straight ones work to my liking. I could give you the original lengths later if necessary, but on my homemade handles I think I made them longer for easier and safer use. I like to say that the handle needs to be about the length of a golf club, in other words when in use you should be standing comfortable with only a slight bend and when you swing it down in front of you it should contact the wood a couple of inches before your toes. Not much of a fisherman so I can't help you on the spearhead.

Butch(OH) · Feb 18, 2020

I like old handle tools also, especially axes. Probably 30 of them around here. I think this axe is similar sized. I keep it by the stove to split kindling and decoration. Handle is 28" which is a compromise length. A bit short for two hands and a bit long for one hand operation.

sms · Feb 18, 2020

I know you make your own but here is an ebay store that sells all types of handles, maybe you get some information such as lengths here.
Handle store

flembo · Feb 18, 2020

The Mattock in the 3rd and 4th picture is still pretty common you can have a look at a handle in most hardware stores. Picks, Pick Axe, and Mattocks all use the same style handle if I am not mistaken I have all 3 and the handles appear to be the same.

sms · Feb 18, 2020

I just googled adze handle and besides suppliers there were patterns and even youtube videos to shape handles.

Bret4207 · Feb 18, 2020

The offset axe isn't a real broad axe, but looks like it might be homemade or blacksmith made. These smaller ones were sometimes used in post and bean (old barn) construction for fitting the male ends into a female joint. I had a matched set of "hewing hatchets" at one time. The handle would be offset to whichever side you wanted it to be for. The small pick/mattock looks like a gardeners too. Takes a standard pick type tapered handle. The adze uses the "S" shape handle with a tapered headstock. Sometimes a wedge was used to adjust the angle. The gig/eel spear has that gib key so it could be taken apart and the local black smith could forge them out finer and sharpen them up, maybe even barb them. Makes sense when you think about it. Can't help you on the handle for that one, but might it be someone added that so they could use a pipe for a handle?

moresmoke · Feb 18, 2020

On this particular page of this forum, questions about tools commonly used on a homestead are totally on topic and tractor questions are not.

If someone wants to be nit-picky about it.

I'll see if I can get out to the toolshed and get some pictures for the op.

DCM · Feb 18, 2020

Loren, made these last fall from pallet wood,no real measurements just what felt right,to tell you the truth it was quite time consuming.Polished the heads too.

jeffcat · Feb 18, 2020

Hey.. are you some kinda mind reader? We always have the answers.

This miners pick is NOS from very long ago. Handle is slightly ovaloid. One inch wide by one and eight tall. Handle has a slight bulge going into the head. Handle is 15 3%4 long. Took pictures of this Adze at the flea market so I could tune mine up. That backwards wedge works just dandy holding things togrther. You do know that there are center- right handed- and left handed Adze. The one in the photo was right handed. The handle has a curve in it so the head is on the right of your swing. To work beams you actually need all three tools.Lot of pictures. The handle on the Adze should be flush!

moresmoke · Feb 18, 2020

The tool shed.

My grandfathers broad axe.

The handle looks to have been steam bent. Gives the hands some room away from the bean you are hewing. All the broad axes I have seen have fairly short handles for better control.

I thought I had an adz here but cant find it. You would make the adz handle the length that gets it nearest whatever body part you can live without. Again shorter will give more control.

NC Wayne · Feb 18, 2020

What about not being a smart a-- with your replies.

Many of us have been on here for nearly 20 years and haven't felt the need to be a smart a--, or to complain about the way things are on here as much, if at all, in all that time, as you have in your short time here.

Don't like the way things are, or can't respond without being a smart a--, either learn to enjoy the board as it is, and be civil with your comments, or feel free to leave through the same door you entered through..... Neither option should be that difficult......

jeffcat · Feb 18, 2020

Was your grandfather left handed? I am and that looks about right from my prospective. I am slightly ambidextrous so I would need to swing it a couple of times to see how the balance was. There were a lot of left and right tools made long ago. If you want to try a grain cradle they were only right handed as far as I know. Love your "tool" shed. Great idea!

TimV · Feb 18, 2020

Just checked a couple of my old heirloom tools--an adze that belonged to my grandfather has a 24" hand-made handle and an old broadaxe I came across at a flea market has a 20" handle. Both measurements are from top to bottom and so the part that sticks out below the head would be a bit shorter. On mattocks or similar tools, a 36" handle is pretty common, though of course if you're making your own you may wish to adjust that for your height. Most of my fish or frog spears have 6-foot handles, but again that's variable depending on your height and the depth of water you plan on spearing in.

AZglide · Feb 18, 2020

Anyone who would suggest using limb wood for anything requiring strength or stability certainly doesn?t know much about woodworking. Maybe a walking stick or kindling but not much else.
BTW, this is ?Tool Talk ?.

DoubleO7 · Feb 18, 2020

(quoted from post at 12:52:36 02/18/20) I think you should take naturally occurring suitable limbs from trees and fashion your handles accordingly by using their natural influence.

Or take the computer thing and look for a book or books on Amazon that would reflect your interest and need.

There is also a lot of free information that can be found following leads from a thing like google

you know axe handle forums clubs and websites

I know you can really make everyone feel important by asking here, but honestly you may have better luck looking elsewhere.

Now what about a tractor question like what oil pressure should one expect in a charged hydraulic lift on an aftermarket loader apparatus or something

MUTT

Hey MUTT,
Jeff called, he says you sure are a long winded forum troll.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 18, 2020

moresmoke · Feb 18, 2020

My grandfather was right handed, but I dont think he ever used it much. I would take that one to be right handed, as you would have your right hand on the end of the handle.

I am left handed, but can pretty much swing both ways

Richard G. · Feb 18, 2020

I agree.
Richard in NW SC

AZglide · Feb 18, 2020

He just likes to do an occasional ?Drive By? to get everyone wound up. Have yet to see anything but negative sarcasm in any of his posts. We all know the type, and yes I do expect to get banned for saying this. If so thanks for the advice over the last few years.
Gary

guido · Feb 18, 2020

Hello Richard,

X3

Guido.

jeffcat · Feb 18, 2020

Ahhhh these mysteries. Funny thing is my nephew. He must have a hidden left handed gift. He cannot use a standard can owner the regular right hand model or a special lefthand made model. Strange?

Charles in Aus. · Feb 18, 2020

Moresmoke , that's the prettiest 'toolshed' I've ever seen.
How fortunate you are to have some of your grandfather's tools.

NC Wayne · Feb 18, 2020

Like my Dad and I swing a sledge hammer, splitting mail, etc opposite ways, but we are both right handed. He swings over his right shoulder, with his left hand at the end of the handle, and I do exactly opposite.....It always worked great when we'd tag team a stuck pin on a machine, or one that one of us would have had to swing off hand to hit.
Now, which way is swinging right handed, and which one is left handed?

moresmoke · Feb 18, 2020

The bin is absolutely useless for grain storage due to size and location, the door used to be the front door to the house but developed a bow that kept it
from sealing tight. So, a sound building that serves a purpose and I didn?t have to build something new. I built a rack in the center that holds sheet
goods and lumber, the tools hang on the wall ?in the round?.

AZglide · Feb 18, 2020

Just wondering. Do you have a condensation problem in the winter?

Hendrik · Feb 19, 2020

No help on size or shape of handles.
The fishing spear looks mighty heavy to me and the long threaded rod, which looks like a handle, tells me it may not be a spear at all. Would like to learn from you experts.

Bret4207 · Feb 19, 2020

(quoted from post at 21:31:22 02/18/20)

(quoted from post at 12:52:36 02/18/20) I think you should take naturally occurring suitable limbs from trees and fashion your handles accordingly by using their natural influence.

Or take the computer thing and look for a book or books on Amazon that would reflect your interest and need.

There is also a lot of free information that can be found following leads from a thing like google

you know axe handle forums clubs and websites

I know you can really make everyone feel important by asking here, but honestly you may have better luck looking elsewhere.

Now what about a tractor question like what oil pressure should one expect in a charged hydraulic lift on an aftermarket loader apparatus or something

MUTT

Click to expand...

Hey MUTT,
Jeff called, he says you sure are a long winded forum troll.

Boy ya got that right!

Cliff(VA) · Feb 21, 2020

Broad Axes are flat on one side. The curve should be away from the flat. This determines which side of the log you are going to cut on. A well equipped woodsman would have both. To convert from one to another you flip the handle around to the other side of the head. It has nothing to do with the handedness of the woodcutter. It has everything to do with grain direction.

It is hard to tell from your photo, but it looks like the bend might be into the log instead of away.

Enjoy!

Cliff(VA) now (NC)

Oliver550Dave · Feb 23, 2020

As a source for wooden handles, J H Loflin Handle Co on the Courtney-Huntsville Rd, southeast of Yadkinville, NC has been helpful for me. (No connection other than they are located in the same county where I was raised.) To me it was neat little tour to be allowed to walk around their factory where several types of handles are made. Quite interesting to see how walking plow handles were cut, steam-bent, and shaped. I carried in an old "canthook" that I had found in a discard pile once. They fitted a new handle plus had the tip to add at the bottom of the handle - quite reasonably priced too! Small, productive, family-owned business.

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