Need handle for adze?

[Fugio]

So I was at the scrapyard about 2 weeks ago and picked up a trunk load of weird stuff. Stuff like an old aluminum outdoor beer sign from a demolished convenience store and a big safety hook/pulley from a crane.

The thing I'm working on now is what I believe is an adze. It's in good shape and is a tool I've been wanting to get for a long time. Cost me like 50 cents! Score!

BUT, there's no handle, which is a bit of a problem. It doesn't take the normal square head handle like pretty much every adze made today. This one take a perfectly round handle that needs to taper larger at the end.

Looks a lot like the one in this picture, except mine is modern steel, I think, and clearly says USA on it.

So, any idea where to get a handle? Or even better, any idea where to get one that won't cost a fortune?

 

[dutchgray]

Pick axe type handle? I know they are oval so would need modification.

 

[four.cycle]

Fugio -

that's a very nice-looking piece there.
don't know where you are located...
poke around and find out who/where your local "woodturners club" is.
make contact with somebody and have them make one for you.

that or see if your local chainsaw shop might be able to get a line on something suitable. you may have to do a bit of work with a rasp to get it to fit that socket - I've had to do that with old mauls.

I know a guy locally who turned me a handle for my froe several years ago - better than the original!

<ps> good handles ain't cheap anymore... good American hickory or ash can cost dearly.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Have you checked your local hardware stores or big box stores yet? They may well have one that will fit, or that will fit with a little work.

 

[djb2]

You might want to add your location to your profile. It's hard to give specific advice when we don't know if you are in New York City or McMurdo Station.

Most hardware stores sell handles. Of the big box stores, Lowes has slightly better prices and selection. If it's a bit more difficult to fit, check out rural hardware stores.

You are probably looking for a mattock handle in the 30" to 36" range. Have the head with you for a test fit. It's likely that you can find a handle that fits without modification, but don't be afraid to spend a few minutes with a knife if you find a handle that you like.

 

[KEH]

That might be a garden digging tool. Even if it isn't, there is a round handled digging light mattock and hardware stores carry long handles for them. If all else fails, making a handle is not that big a deal. Cut a small hickory tree, trim bark off, let dry for 3 months or so depending on the climate, trim handle to shape. Notice the hole in the tool is tapered, make handle tapered also. A tool called a drawing knife makes short work of the job, gives an excuse to get another tool.

KEH

KEH

 

[Ramper]

http://tennesseehickoryproducts.com/products.shtml

Might need to look at grub hoes

 

[Ramper]

https://www.househandle.com/

 

[Fugio]

http://tennesseehickoryproducts.com/products.shtml

Might need to look at grub hoes

****. I think I have a nice Seymour grub hoe. Nothing wrong with that, except that I really want an adze!

Found plenty of handles though, now that I know what it's for! Thanks!!

 

[2oolhound]

The big difference to spot between an adze and a grub hoe is the adze has a square hole for the handle. (The small blue tool is a modern incarnation).



Here's a lip adze, a plain carpenter's adze or foot adze and we called these last ones scoop adzes but they were also known as gutter adzes.

 

[Fugio]

Square hole is kinda what I've learned in the last few days too. Man those are some useful little tools! Not much out there that's as good at carving logs and toes!