I've been hunting for somewhere that supplies ash poles of the appropriate dimensions (5'9", 2.75" by 4.5" diameter), and never gotten a response to any e-mails I've sent.

My area of Florida is rather lacking in wood shops that would have what I need, so I can't get it locally.

Here's a picture of the head for reference/assistance.

You might try this site as there seems to be options for custom sizes as well as standard pole dimensions.

I have no personal experience with this site but they " might " be able to give you what you need or refer you to some other source: Worth a shot :?:

http://www.woodenswords.com/WMA/index.htm

( Click on STAFFS on the right column. )

That was actually one of the first places I considered, but I wrote them off because they only seemed able to cut the length down for their available poles, not provide wide-diameter custom poles.

I hadn't thought of asking them about their supplier for the original poles. Thank you!

I had a similar problem on a halberd project. I finally had to settle for a pressure treated pine 2x2 for my project, using a block plane to get the blank to the desired dimensions. The nice thing about this approach is that you can vary the cross section of the haft as needed. Looks great, works perfectly, but the wood isn't historically appropriate for use in combat. As luck would have it, I'm rarely called to fight for my life on a 16th century battlefield.

If you're not going to be using your axe in earnest, I'd say you're better off using poplar or pine than custom-ordering ash (big money).

Another option is to wait for the next hurricane, then drive around looking for large downed hardwoods. Maybe somebody would let you take a branch or cut a blank from the trunk.

We had a problem with Halberd heads, ultimately we ended up using a place that makes replacment handles for tree pruning equipment, they were able to make poles to our dimensions and lengths, and it was really reasonable, $35.00 for 2" diameter and 8 feet long.

there web site is www.peaveymfg.com

they cut and mill the poles when we ordered, so you shouldn't have to big of a problem

I hope that helps.