Where to buy axe handles?

[EdmontonAxe]

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

I have a few old axe heads that I've been restoring and I've been searching for handles locally without much luck. On my shopping list right now are 1x ~20", 2x ~28", and 1x 32-34"

I've hit the major local hardware stores (Home Depot, Rona, Lowes) and they either have nothing, or they have limited selection expensive-warped-bad-grained choices. And I've stopped by local farm supply stores and had luck with a thick 36" pulaski handle to be re purposed for a double-bit that I have.

I've looked online (house handle doesn't ship to Canada) but I'm hesitant since I can't pick out that handles I'm getting and shipping is expensive.

Timberland Supply, the local sthil/husqvarna shop has a selection of handles - but they are asking $35 for the only 32" handle in the barrel of questionably light hickory and twisted ash 28" handles.

Conceivably I could make my own. If I had the time, the raw lumber supply and had draw knives and spokeshaves. Not a path I'm wanting to go down yet.

So, where do you guys recommend I buy handles?

 

[bbforstr]

Try tennessehickoryproducts.com

 

[Skiv]

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (chop) So, where do you guys recommend I buy handles?

I'm in Kamloops BC. I get Link-Seymour handles through Summit Tool. I know Princess Auto and Canadian Tire also carry a few styles of Link-Seymour handles. It's kind of a crap-shoot. The big-boxes don't handle it and the little guys may not have access to the better suppliers. Our local Timberland Supply, the original store, just closed out before Home Despot rolled over them. We have lots of forestry outlets -- great if you want a quarter-million-dollar harvesting machine!

You might look for a number for Holland Imports in Surrey BC. Guy there by the name of Bill Lawrie is the wholesaler who brings Link-Seymour handles in to BC if not Western Canada. He might be able to tell you if he's shipping handles to anyone up there. Can't find his number here but I recall I found it online and it wasn't too hard. I was looking for octagon handles which Link used to make and Bill told me they're not coming into Canada through his operation anyway.

You can find Seymour's catalog online here. I will say their style line is a lot narrower than it was back when Link was still its own company and Bernie Weisgerber was writing "An Axe to Grind."

 

[EdmontonAxe]

Thanks for the replies bbforstr and skiv. Sorry for the delay in response, I haven't been able to get back to this forum the last couple days except on my phone.

I looked at tennesseehickoryproucts but as a non-wholesale supplier the website directed me to their ebay store, "atthrough". They have exactly what I need, but the shipping is $33 on a $12 32" handle. I sent an inquiry on what the shipping would be on 4 handles and was told "around 60". While I might break down and pay shipping, I'm not yet willing to pay more for shipping than I do for product.

This isn't a new problem for me. I wanted to order a council boys axe: $35 direct from council and then $47 shipping. Bailey's have them for $28, then ask $51 shipping. I know I could spread shipping costs out if I bought more, but I'm not exactly in a position to buy more things to reduce relative shipping cost. It's also a shame that I can't seem to get an old head off of ebay cheap - tends to be at least $30 to get a piece of steel in the mail.

I started my search at Canadian Tire - my two local ones only stock 36" handles. Surprisingly, about half the stock they have look like really good products with nice grain orientaion and spacing, and they come with a wooden wedge and 2 metal ring wedge. I've had them in my hand trying to figure out what the fawnsfoot would look like and how far down I could shape the shoulder if I tried to make a 36" handle a 31-32" handle. Still an option. No luck at princess auto (I made a quick trip thier yesterday to look - remarkably every single one of the axes, mauls, and hammers they stock have fiberglass handles).

I haven't tried to contact Holland Imports, but I can mention that I've had a Link handle in an amazon order for 3 weeks now waiting for stock. I thought I found what I was looking for, it wasn't too expensive and had free shipping. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000NVPITO/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks again

 

[Skiv]

Thanks for the replies bbforstr and skiv.

You're welcome. There's a thing I should say about Link handles: like many other manufacturers it seems they aren't producing the quality they used to. I realize that's simple market economics. Ten $17 handles with quirky grain orientation or heartwood is more profit for the company than five perfect $40 handles and throw away the culls. Most people are just looking for a stick to hold up an axe head, if they don't just toss the works and buy a new axe.

I've got a Link straight maul handle that's going to get re-worked into a straight axe handle just to see how it goes. I tend to favour thin handles, so this one might blow up on me; it has the grain exactly 90 degrees out and lots of heartwood besides. It's probably more to see if I can do it and figure out what I'd change next time. I'll have to make the rounds again in a few weeks -- I picked over the local selection pretty well.

My only "thing" with Amazon is that I'm not convinced a stock picker with his earbuds in has my best interest at heart when somebody tells him to "go get an axe handle off the shelf." By which I mean I understand that we don't pay them enough to care. You might end up with a handle suitable for a broadaxe.

 

[leec12]

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

I have a few old axe heads that I've been restoring and I've been searching for handles locally without much luck. On my shopping list right now are 1x ~20", 2x ~28", and 1x 32-34"

I've hit the major local hardware stores (Home Depot, Rona, Lowes) and they either have nothing, or they have limited selection expensive-warped-bad-grained choices. And I've stopped by local farm supply stores and had luck with a thick 36" pulaski handle to be re purposed for a double-bit that I have.

I've looked online (house handle doesn't ship to Canada) but I'm hesitant since I can't pick out that handles I'm getting and shipping is expensive.

Timberland Supply, the local sthil/husqvarna shop has a selection of handles - but they are asking $35 for the only 32" handle in the barrel of questionably light hickory and twisted ash 28" handles.

Conceivably I could make my own. If I had the time, the raw lumber supply and had draw knives and spokeshaves. Not a path I'm wanting to go down yet.

So, where do you guys recommend I buy handles?

I buy mine at StrikeforceCanada Gravenhurst Ontario. the last 28" one I bought was $5.00. These are made by the Menonites. Larger handles are $7.00 ea. He is ordering some double bit handles which should be in before Christmas. They also have a supply of offshore double bit axes, 3 1/5 lb on sale for only $10.00! The handles on these need some pairing down as they are too thick for me. But hey great value! Each handle comes with a wooden wedge and two small metal wedges, hard to beat. Best to look them over but I'm sure if you called they would take more care in selecting for you before shipping.
Lee

 

[Rapt_up]

Try your local Home Hardware. At least here in Ontario they carry a pretty good selection of pretty good hickory handles... Be willing to pick through and you should do ok. And cheeper than any of these specialty handle guys...