Got a day off and wanted to remake a couple of shafts.
Have just made one out of vintage ash and it just doesn't have the right 'feel'.
Any thoughts on where I can go and get some good straight grained hardwood?
And ideas on what type etc?
Only looking for sizes of about 27" long and circular thickness like a broom handle.

1" oak dowel at a place in exeter and the chace to go through their offcuts bin!

AFK ;)

Vintage ash is exactly the right thing, but to feel right it would still have to be the right length and section for the given head. It's almost impossible to know what the originals felt like...oh, unless you live in England! The Royal Armouries-Leeds are going to have a hands-on day dedicated to polearms June 25. That would answer many questions about what the real thing felt like (assuming they have hafts from their working lives).

http://www.royalarmouries.org/events/events-a...to-zahgnal

:D

I can see how ash might feel light for a shorter piece. In the U.S., most working axes are mounted on Hickory (or, these days, composite material). I don't know what the international standard is.

Well did live in a lot of different places growing up and hickory seems to be used pretty much everywhere for axe handles. This was before composite handles were common.

In anycase, I'm not sure if using ash is bad for an axe head (and some white ash is pretty damn dense), but if the elm doesn't work out, you could try oak, dogwood, indian rosewood or teak. If you want something even tougher ligum vitae and ebony are good options.

I remember Clint Eastwoods immortal line: "There's nothing like a nice piece of Hickory".

;)
I think the Elm will be OK.
I'll post results when carved.