Tomahawks and Handles

[wallgunner]

Hello all,
How does one get a tight fit when you make a handle for your belt axes? I have a belt axe that the handle busted on. So I want to replace it. I figured on maybe going to the hardware store, and buying a hammer or axe handle, and fitting it. Does anybody do this? The eye in the axe head is long and very thin. It's a handforged head, so the eye is somewhat irregular compared to cast heads. What are some of the little tricks I need to know before I destroy a bunch of handles? Thanks for your help. Wallgunner

 

[necchi]

Most Hawk heads, cast or forged, are made with a tapered eye and the handle is not like our modern hammer or hatchet handles that require a wedge to tighten the handle in place.

If the botom of the handle slot is smaller than the top, chances are your belt axe is set up for a tapered handle. Here's a link to new ones with the measurments for you to compare. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Cate...tId=9&subId=60&styleId=233&partNum=HANDLE-STD

They're usually not an exact fit, and need some work, I use a 4-in-1 wood rasp to do the finish fitting to my hawk heads.