An honest Axe Handle review

[@GrantHale-bi7zv]

Ive bought from beaver tooth. You are spot on my experience was the same no comunication slow shipping 3 weeks late. Excellent handles for a good value very happy and will be buying from them again.

[@bastionheadwoodworks]

Excellent review! The issues you describe are some of the reasons why I started splitting and drying my own handle stock years ago. The crack in that one handle may not seem like a huge deal, but it is in itself indicative of a crap attitude toward quality control. It shows that they do not adequately dry their stock before turning handles to shape, which means the wood is still shrinking and a hang is likely to come loose if you don’t allow months of additional drying time first. It also reveals that they do not let their handles ’relax’ for at least a day, but preferably a week or more after taking them off the lathe, to inspect for checking and warping before shipping them out. Caveat emptor!

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

@bastionheadwoodworks Right, same reason i started making handles, that and more precise dimensions. They're definitely maximizing profits. Shrinkage after hanging is the biggest pain in the ass. I oiled it and put it back in a box, she'll be ready in a few months.

[@oldguyknots]

Good honest review. I've ordered from Beaver Tooth and will order from them again. You're right in that their webpage isn't the most modern and a little awkward to navigate but it's well worth it for the quality of the product. I was a little concerned the first time that it was taking so long for my handle to arrive but when looking at their website again they do say they make, they're a small shop and they don't respond if you're just wondering when it will ship. Overall, good quality handles that fit what I needed. And I liked that I didn't have to scrape off varnish before putting on an oil finish. And you got a pencil too. Thank you for your service.

[@breaking_bear]

I would love to see videos reviewing different brands of oils and waxes, tools, cleaners, and hardware for the trade of retooling/rehandling, restoring, refinishing, polishing, and sharpening tools. I have also NEVER seen an unbiased video about the practical and logical/scientific reasons and applications for the use of various finishing oils. Everyone is always like "I've been using (linseed or fancy wax) for decades so this is what I always use" But there's no science behind it whatsoever. What about Tung, Danish oil, raw linseed vs boiled linseed, used motor oil (for high carbon wood preservation). There's a young Irish woodworker at Bunrati Castle on KZbin who uses all those oils but won't freakin tell me why!

[@breaking_bear]

You can totally use those tongue wedges that broke to make compound wedges with a sweet cross wedge!

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

For sure. They'll do fine for hammer wedges also.

[@rcosg542yt]

Thanks for the video. Appreciate the info. I just recieved a few handles from them. The shipping did take a long time. On the website it said would ship in 1 to 14 days but then on a different page i found when trying to contact them it said 30 days bc they are made to order. Kind of sucks but i agree, the handles are quality. I loved all the handles i recieved.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

Seems to be the general consensus here. A 100 yrs ago it was the same circumstances with mail order, minus the broken wedges. What handles did you get?

[@rcosg542yt]

I got the 30 inch Single bit new hampshire, the 28 in curved full size single bit, and the 28 in cruiser.

[@_BigLife_]

They definitely have decent handles. I wish they had an option for no kerf cut. Shipping time has always been an issue. I will continue ordering from them before other companies out there.

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Great info! If I were to carve my own handle it takes a while. Plus for the money it's worth it to order one of these . Where I live IF you can find the handle you need? And that's a big if . You're gonna pay close to 50 bucks. And chances are it's gonna be crap . If you need a wedge it's gonna cost you 12 or 15 bucks! Why I started carving my own... so to me it is well worth waiting for and dealing with crappie customer service. Thank for letting us know where a good place to get handles reasonable is!

[@garysnotsowildadventures3045]

I have had good luck with beaver tooth handles, but it does take forever for them to come in.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

Seems to be the general consensus.

[@paulbyron6248]

Great review of Beaver tooth, and review process. Honest and thorough. I had the same experience with BT. 30 days to receive my order, broken wedges, and no communication whatsoever. That aside, the handles didn't disappoint.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

This seems to be the normal experience. Can't say it's horrible, just annoying.

[@normankerr9948]

My experience echoes yours to a T. I needed a couple of 1lb. cruisers axe handles, took a couple of months but the products were really good. If I have a need I'll buy from them again (if they're still in business.)

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

You know, the handle business must be different. Any other industry this type of stuff wouldn't fly.

[@charlesmckinley29]

Thanks! I clicked on an ad for an axe and sledgehammer company in Wheeling, WV the other day that also offered handles. I can’t remember the name though. Warwood Tool

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

If they're "perfect" axe was fairly priced, I'd buy one. Hopefully they make more paterns in the future.

[@IronOxAxeAndTool]

Nice video man. I've held off on ordering from them from similar stories of poor customers service and long lead time. They do carry a few handle patterns I can't find anywhere else. I may give them a try.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

Guys like you and I have the time to wait though. Definitely don't buy "good" grade thinking you might get a decent handle.

[@ToolsandTime]

Pretty good info man, I might have to check them out.

[@JustNobodyButME]

i had an order take 3 months to get a while back. they do have variety and if icant find what i need elsewhere i will order from them if i have the time to wait but i've moved on. that order was the reason i found Whiskey River and i've spent way too much there since then.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

Sounds about right. It's weird how they're still in business with stories like yours being common.

[@jeffschroeder9089]

Yes review other companies

[@JimDeWit-h3n]

I just received an order from BT in record time. 1 week. It also had a loose fitting handle for a full sized eye. Same size as the one you showed on your video. Would you still hang that handle ? Would a wedge take up enough of the slop to tighten it up?

[@sajmonek308]

Can you please show how you restore an old oiler?

[@cwhatuc101]

What’s your Opinion on locust wood for handles . If you don’t mind sharing your expertise

[@matthewfain1328]

I’ve been buying from whiskey river trading. They are great quality and fast shipping.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

WR is great! I wish they carried more variety though.

[@groundpounder24365]

I knew a gal I called beaver tooth...she was quite the gal let me tell you. A mouth like you wouldn't believe

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

🫢

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

I can't respond how I really want to, trying to be more proper like.

[@old_iron_axe_and_tool]

🫡

[@groundpounder24365]

@@old_iron_axe_and_tool 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@whatfreedom7]

Who else is there to get hatchet handles from? Just need something affordable that’s not junk.

[@AppalachianLumberjack]

Nah ive never had anything but amazing customer service from beavertooth stop the slander whiskey river are the ones who are rude dumb customer service didnt even seem like they knew anything about axe handles didnt understand sht 😅