Straight vs Curved Axe Handles 

Can’t believe I’ve never come across this channel. It’s axually awesome

Tanner - Thanks for the very best explanation and teaching. Such a basic truth that tools evolved for physical efficiency and local conditions. Decades ago as an apprentice in rural skills my 80 year old Master taught me this and how to work smart. The old boys had so much knowledge, most lost to time, so it's great to see some of it lives on in you. (UK hedgelayer)

You LOVE axes! Well done.

Nice video! When people ask me about my interest in axes I say, "There's a lot to axes." I always get a weird look. LOL!

You need to make that video about different axe head patterns from different areas. I'd love that! Please make more videos.

Now that's a very informative video. I'll try to use that info into my axe handle making process from now on. I haven't got the curves better explained anywhere. Thanks a lot!!!

Just let the man talk, guys. If you think you can do better, make your own video.

Hello Tanner, There is a reason why you hang axe handles for a living. You have passion for it and a depth of understanding few posess. I do not have this level of understanding but cut wood for many years. I was the axe and my father the chain saw for cutting into blocks. Felling, and splitting are distinct activities as is grubbing (cleaning up bark or de limbing). I do have some understanding of the principles of mechanics in the sense of analysing forces and I think you nailed it. Cutting/felling Australian hardwood with any axe which is too broad is a mistake, even a racing axe tends to have too much beard. Horses for courses and no doubt a double bit axe head has its place; as long as it is nowhere near me but the horrible straight handled, fiberglass, badly forged lumps of iron called axes in a hardware store are mute testament to what has been lost and their place is on a garbage heap. When people made a living felling or splitting different timbers in different climates they developed different axes but your understanding of the mechanics of swinging an axe seems to me to be as complete as anyones and this would allow you to hang the approprite shaft on any head for any purpose. Thankyou for keeping this knowledge alive. I have seen several other videos on this and they all miss the point re balance for dip as well or balance for swing or tapering or why your hand travels down the shaft. The baseball analogy is also far closer to swinging an axe than a cricket bat so again well done. You might look at spotted gum as a possible alternative to hickory (in some instances). That may annoy some people but again horses for courses.

Excellent video. Good and complete explanation. Interesting and informative. Thank you.

Thanks for this. As a beginning handle maker this info is invaluable. Keep it up. More content like this would be welcome!

Hey Tanner, can you please make a video about axe heads like this video for axe handles? I'm trying to determine what axes I need, and this video helped me get haft way there. Thanks!

You should talk more about ax hafting, your knowledge is well above what's out there! O always check your channel to see if you have any new video's. You have a lot to offer the ax community.

Fascinating!

Great video. A plumb line from and dangling the axe will show exactly how close to center the balance bit to poll has been corrected by the handle. You clearly have the experience and knowledge to make this video. Sadly, this is the first of its kind that is not full of horribly wrong misinformation on the subject.

Man y’all’s axes are beautiful you do a great job on handles

Beautiful how well he describes this for some reason 😅 I always appreciate when someone can put concepts like this into coherent, straight to the point words that describe the concept matter perfectly

Tanner put out another video of where you work and what you do, I’m sure it would be fascinating. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏🙏🙏

Wow, I had no idea. I should have assumed that a tool so old would have nuances that I didn't know enough to even guess at. Thanks for the insight!

I'm training for the apocalypse, as well as muscle rehab and building more. I use 32 to 36" long straight handle splitting maul 6.6 lb full weighted axes to do this, and prefer straight handles. I swing them in slow motion, very controlled like, and hold them in different angles and lengths and positions for 30 minutes a day. It has helped me repair muscle weakness in my shoulders, core and arms, and build muscle also, as well as give me practical training to fight with two axes at a time. For one day, all battles will boil down to hand to hand combat. I or my descendants will be ready.

Excellent & informative! Thank you Tanner! 1st I've heard of the purposeful shape of axe handles on YT! 👏 I admire what you do for a living! Axe restoration is my hobby & I thoroughly enjoy making my own handles, as well! New subscriber! Greetings from the opposite coast, the beautiful PNW!! 🪓🌲🪓🌲

Great video, really detailed and informative. Thumbs up from the UK!

Thank you so much for making this video. I am getting into axe restoration and have jumped in to making a custom 28” pack/hiking/camping axe and didn’t understand the benefits of a strait vs curved handle and what the reasons for both are.

How does a person decide which axe head is best for the trees they’ll be encountering? Where does a person go for axes? I’m guessing the same axes are sold by the chain stores, eg Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Menards, regardless of what state you’re shopping in.

Great info!. Thanks, I've learned a lot about why handles are curved., an how and why I may need to reshape some of my axe handles. Great video.

Awesome explanations!

A doe leg handle is a much better handle on your hands and I wear leather gloves when using an axe. My 50 year old 4# True Temper, Dayton is fitted with a 31.5” fawns foot handle and it is an excellent axe. My favorite base ball exe was a 36” bat. My axes balance right behind the head, which is where the should balance. I have three GBA axes- Small Forest, Scandinavian Forest and Wildlife hatchet. I have used a single bit for fifty years and like it over a double bit. It has more mass and weight behind the blade than a double bit without wearing you out. I use my axes, today, mostly as wedge bangers to support my Stihl chainsaws.

Thanks for the video.. I live in Maine, and I have been getting in to axe head restoration the past few years.. you should do some more videos

I liked your commentary on the last one as I have that for my mostly used axe. It would help for you to have a better visual set up as the handle explanation was lost due to dark background for showing handle form. The brightness lost it. But truly loved the sharing of your vast knowledge on this odd subject. Thanks

Let's invent a new drinking game. Every time he scratches, you take a drink.

What kind of handle would you use on a 2.5lbs Montreal pattern head?

Thank you for a great and informative video!

Still, backround, stunning

Cutting wood my whole life. I’ve never seen anyone come out to cut lumber with their pack basket. Giving u a hard time. Thx for the great info. I’m attempting to make my own handle and not sure what style yet.

Great review.👍💯❤🤙

Super informative. I learned so much. I forwarded your video link to my son who is starting college in the fall studying mechanical engineering. There are quite a few references to physics and mechanics in your presentation. Who knew a curved axe handle could be sexy? Also: would it be possible to add manufacturer info to your description above? Links for people who might be looking to purchase one of the axes you mentioned? Thanks and Swing on!

I'm a retired BC Faller and I am still looking for a good falling axe to this day. I love a straight handle axe for pounding wedges is there a way of adding more weight or size to the pounding Edge so when you do use the blade you don't get the Bit dive. I do not want to take away from its ability to hit wedges, because 90% of its job will be doing that ? does anybody have any good recommendations for a good wedging axe about 3 lb.

Is it possible the slight curve at the bottom of the Adirondack handle is to facilitate bucking a downed tree while standing atop it? It would make that last few inches of swing easier on your wrists.

Woah 🤯. Lots of science and physics behind a “simple” handle huh?

Awesome video. I’m going to dig for that pattern purpose video I’ve been looking for one like that. I’ve also noticed I have some Maine heads with exceptionally longer polls. A couple older snow and nealleys and an old E&S to name a couple. I was curious about why.

Good stuff axe Brother!

Amazing info man...I learned a ton. Can you give your thoughts and info on Swedish axes? They seem very different and I am curious about your thoughts.

Hello from NH .super interesting video . I always thought the curve was for ergonomics, wrist angle and such .really informative. I just picked up a keen kutter rockaway l haven't hafted it yet .interesting pattern it sort of looks like an older half hatchet just bigger. Do you sell handles? Looking forward to your next video.

Great info man thanks!

Good video! I heard a reason for the Adirondack pattern handle was that you didn’t need to look to see which edge you’re using!

What would be the best handle for Lizzie Borden type work? Or in other words if you were going to go all ICP on someone what would you use? 🤔lol

More viddys Mr. Wilcox if you please.

Very nice video, learned a lot.

Very good video I like the look of that Michigan. I still prefer the straight handle myself for reversing and using the pole to knock in wooden pegs or wooden or plastic wedges since although the poll is soft its still harder than those materials. Though must say being from the Uk Unbalanced axes are the life and soul here so I find having flat handled axes negates the bit dip quite effectively. A good example of these would be the basque axes made by Urineta or the Italian style axes by Rinaldi.

Adirondack pattern is my absolute favorite, I've built 2 so far and 2 more heads to handle. Why don't you make videos anymore??

A Hudson Bay axe is a camp axe. Council Tools even calls their model a Camp Axe.

Good video and thx for the explanations 👍

Nice basket

how similar are the Hudson Bay and Rheinland patterns? Being from the UK I ahve seen Rheinlands, but not a Hudson, they look similar..but not sure how close they are.

Thank you, this brought me forward in the design of handles a great lenght! (probably wrong grammar...)

Fantastic, thanks for sharing

Hey Tanner? Where's the next video you promised!? Don't leave us hanging.....? Get it? Hanging? Like as in hanging an axe....? 😁👍 Looking to learn about axe head designs...why and what for?

Thank you.

can you please share the measurements of a viking axe 😊

Thumbs up from Ohio! Nice video

Very well done and the content is awesome. Way to many guys out here today that think they know it all and their content is far off and flat. Can't wait to see your ax head clip when you do it. Thankyou and stay safe...

Where’s that axe head pattern video?

Axial purposes or axual purposes 🤔

Were you cracking a joke talking about carrying a straight handled axe in a pack basket with the head up and the blade facing your skull? 😂

Do you sell handles

Do you have an email or other contact?

Good stuff my man. Kinda long winded tho

Counterbalance, how bout that white balance 😂

Stop holding out on the axe knowledge. More videos please.

Now I feel like an idiot for getting a straight jersey for felling. I'm still a novice but it should be more appropriate than the boys I've been using.

Very informative. I’d watch more but I found the thigh slapping very distracting.

Americans suffer from chronic long winded over explaining. The art of concise explanations seems lost to them. Tip 1 - Try not telling us multiple times about what you're going to tell us about Tip 2 - say it once, try to avoid a second time explaining it in a different way. You could say everything necessary in 5 minutes.