Brush Axe Handles and other questions

[smith357]

I found an old brush axe with a very long home made handle that is most likely going to need replacing. My plan is to vinigar soak the head, and put an edge on it. I sort of want to try to save the handle, but if there is no way of saving then my question is do i just use an axe handle or is there a specific style of handle that I should use.

 

[Agent_H]

The ones I have don't have a kerf cut into them except this Council 12:



I've come into several in the past that where on 36" single bit handles with wedges in them. I suppose if you work the head on snug then stick a wedge in there it would be fine. Not the same amount of force as an axe and the band won't let the head slip past the shoulders.

Here is a brush axe thread from a while ago:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1239807-Brush-Axes?highlight=Brush+axe

 

[smith357]

Thanks for the link, I see most use a standard curved axe handle, I guess I won't be wasting time trying to reuse the old cracked and insect eaten wood, now if I could just figure out a maker. The only markings I could find is what appears to be MED stamped into it. There might be more to see once it gets out of the vinegar bath. I also noticed some of them used a rough weld to attach the eye, and some have a very smooth transition from blade to eye, does that matter?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Traditionally brush axe handles are essentially no different from a single bit axe handle except there's no kerf and they're usually sized for a slightly smaller eye than a full-blown axe. The only brush axes that use a kerfed handle as standard were those that did not have a loop on them, such as the Council already shown. It's common to find looped brush axes outfitted with kerfed handles, however, as when the original handle broke it was usually easier for the user to find a replacement single bit axe handle rather than a true brush axe handle, and minimal modification was necessary to make for a good fit.

 

[Mix it up]

Go to www.househandle.com and scroll thru PRODUCTS (1), PRODUCTS (2), and PRODUCTS (3) and see if they have what you are looking for.

I get mine with no varnish finish as I like to rub boiled linseed oil on mine.

 

[smith357]

I looked around for a correct handle for it but being the instant gratification type I just picked up a 36" axe handle and glued in a filler for the kerf.

As for the bottom strap, there is a lot of space, what would be the proper way to address this. I could make a wedge that would lock it in place or carve a channel in the haft for the strap to lock into I could make a new strap but it would not have the pitting the rest of the tool has and would clearly be out of place.

Edit:
After it came out of the vinegar bath there was a nice temper line that ran an inch back from the edge.

The "MED" marking is clear now ans says MEDIUM

The band for the eye is forge welded to the blade

 

[Square_peg]

As for the bottom strap, there is a lot of space, what would be the proper way to address this. I could make a wedge that would lock it in place or carve a channel in the haft for the strap to lock into I could make a new strap but it would not have the pitting the rest of the tool has and would clearly be out of place.

I would probably make a new strap. But it might look cool to put shims on the back of the haft under the strap. You could make the shims out of copper pipe split in half lengthwise. They'd wrap around the haft and the copper would add some character.