Dudley Cook was WRONG! Straight vs Curved Axe Handles

After years of woodchopping the straight vs curved handles issue has bugged me, with very strong opinions either way. A lot of interesting theory on balance, however I think in most cases the curved handles has little to no effect on changing the balance point compared to straight as the controlling hands on impact are in a similar position relative to the axis as a curved handle anyway. I think it has more to do with adding control as the curve at the end acts like a crank and stops the axe twisting.

[@kurts64]

Well said Ben, Mate that was a scary glance at the end!

[@MiloKolb]

I need to start making my handles more flat, thanks for another great video

[@KevinsDisobedience]

I’ve read Cook through three times now, and I haven’t the faintest of what the axis of lateral pivot is suppose to demonstrate or, really, how to duplicate it. I suppose I could tie an axe to a string in my shop and give it a dangle and point. It’s all about the angle of the dangle. I’m still not sure what I think of this. All I know is I can’t tell the difference when I swing, but perhaps there’s some minute advantage I’m not privy to yet. Flats definitely help. I remember when Stephen said a friend of his was experimenting with flat sides. I thought hockey stick and it made sense to me. You proved to me that it’s ideal. Thanks

[@Fogyt121]

I think a curved handle allows you to do an underhand chop without dislocating your wrist. There's a significant difference in the way it feels, for me, when I do underhand with straight and underhand with a curved handle. The best option might be a straight handle with a nice end that curves away, but that would require a lot of wood to start with. Maybe the reason the whole handle is curved is to have that cocked palm swell without wasting lots of material?

[@redcanoe14]

Yes Ben, I agree. I would add curved handles allow for some adjustment of grip which can reduce fatigue, a little weaker than straights (as a result of grain breakout on curves). But I would say that with longer axe bits they need to be flat profile handles to maintain accurate cuts.

[@richardsullivan1776]

Ben you called Mr. Cook a "fanboy" haha! The Axe Book is a great read but it details Dudley's preferences and is a generalization into the axe world and a good one at that. There's no prefect axe or "one all". I'm happy you realize you have to take your own path and don't take it literally. His generalized information on axes is good but his "proper" axe head, weight and straight handle is his personally preference and what works for him. I don't think he was trying to be biased, that was just his way and how he felt in his own experience, not yours, mine or ours. You have much more experience with this, 99% of the time my axes are for splitting rounds, not bucking.

[@Joey-L]

I have come to realize this past year how much I prefer certain palm swells and how much the end of the handle matters in my accuracy. I took too much material off one particular handle and I just couldn't get a firm grip and stop the axe from twisting side to side. I have yet to try a straight handle, but what you are saying sounds like it would make a lot of sense.

[@MrChickadee]

Ive come to feel most of the time those tool patterns used most at the very end of the hand tool era (pre power tools) were by necessity the best form due to natural evolution and daily use by workers who needed the best tools.

[@MatthewAmsbaugh]

I prefer curved handles as well, but I also really like straight handles. I’ve noticed subtle differences between using the two, but I always chalked that up to different axe heads. I might need to do an experiment using the same head on different handles.

[@rtdc5662]

I love both. I like a good curved handle for splitting because it adds speed.

[@pedrova8058]

In Chiloé (Southern Chile) there is a long tradition of the axe; the guys of the time were incredibly skilled, everything was built in wood, from small domestic "machines", furniture, utensils, to huge churches (most of them are historical monuments, it is worth taking a look). And the typical axe here was a huge one (4 1/2, 5 or even 6 pounds, wide edge, a kind of hybrid between European/Basque profiles (because of the tradition of German settlers in the area)), always with a straight and particularly long handle (never less of 70 cms, typical around 1 mt) With this type of axe, they felled trees, squared them, built beams, made details (obviously the finer details were done with some minor tools). But it is clear that all the paraphernalia around the axe is a modern question, which has more to do with a specific market niche (none of those Chilotes would be willing to pay what a luxury axe is worth today, it's just nonsense) Practical, systematic use is different from recreational use. They needed something that worked well, locally available ,without theorizing too much about it.

[@chunk3322]

I prefer straight because they are easier to make. I get the point about pressure on the wrist when bucking, but you can set the head up to ease that. I make my handles with an egg shape, so it's thicker at the back to sit in the palm and the tapers down towards the front so it fits nicely being the knuckles.

[@1südtiroltechnik]

Hoi Ben, today I downloaded some FAO publications, in "introduction to ergonomics in forestry in developing countries" on page 69 there was an example of why an axe handle has this shape: An S-shape absorbs shocks.

[@snowwalker9999]

I am speaking from experience not literature or history. Straight handle works better for carpentry work, carving woodworking and with shorter handles 20" and below. For felling curved handle worked better for me. For splitting I have not decided yet.

[@samuelresende5194]

Sorry for the question completely unrelated to the video, but what do you think are some good axe patterns or overall shapes for felling extremely hard tropical woods?

[@a.j.infowars7582]

I was watching SISU and saw his axe so I Wanted that answered. Thanks.

[@CrazedFandango]

I've only used curved handles on axes. I recently bought a maul with a straight handle. I've only used it once, but cannot say I notice a difference.

[@brettbrown9814]

Another great video with lots of useful comments. Liking that tool box by the way.

[@1südtiroltechnik]

Hey Ben, just sent the Firm from the "Axe Bat" a Message about what Cook says about lateral pivot and Speed wobble.

[@beepboop204]

thoughts on the scandinavian peasant axes which have a rather profound curve