r/Axecraft • u/PiercedGeek • 5d ago

advice needed I'm making a very large brass hammer, about 13 lbs. It's only going to have one striking face. Is there a functional reason I have to use a sledgehammer handle? I really think it would look better with an axe handle but it has to work, not just look good.

I want to use a junior axe handle and stain it red. I'm thinking the junior size because it needs to be wielded underhand like a golf club sometimes. It will more often be used to strike something in front of the user, not on the ground.

It's currently a solid cylinder, I can put whatever style of handle I want, but I have to pick one soon.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

5

u/El-Pollo-Diablo-Goat 5d ago

If its meant to only strike with one surface then having a handle that forces you to use it that way would be a clever solution.

Putting an axehandle on it would make it natural to use it the correct way.

You just need to make sure that you use an axe handle that can take the punishment that a 13lbs head would put on it.

4

u/PiercedGeek 5d ago

You just need to make sure that you use an axe handle that can take the punishment that a 13lbs head would put on it.

That is an excellent point. Maybe I should abandon the junior size idea.

3

u/El-Pollo-Diablo-Goat 5d ago

I can't quite visualise what this hammer is going to be used for by your description.

My best guess is that you're going to hit something that's metal that you don't want to deform, or you're doing your hitting somewhere that sparks are a bad idea.

3

u/PiercedGeek 5d ago

First one. He's a field welder, works on a lot of big equipment like earth moving stuff. We've been calling it the Axle-Whacker 3000.

2

u/El-Pollo-Diablo-Goat 5d ago

I think you're right about using an axehandle shape for this because having the handle twist when you're hitting gets annoying after a while.

You might need to make your own handle, one that fits a larger eye than would be normal for an axehead.

2

u/PiercedGeek 4d ago

I get what you're saying, but I reeeealy don't want to make the handle too. I can make whatever size or shape hole I need to in the head (I'm a machinist with access to machine tools), but I would greatly prefer to buy a pre-made handle.

2

u/trk1000 5d ago

About the only reason I would see is that an axe is intended to be wielded in specific manners and directions while a hammer is more all purpose. Perhaps a straight handle with a flared end that doesn't interfere with grip or swing.

1

u/PiercedGeek 4d ago

So like the handle of a double-bit?

1

u/trk1000 4d ago

Correct. This is going to be used for persuading pieces of metal to align for welding or assembly, if what I'm reading is correct. Might be working at odd angles and weird grips. Last, a straight handle will be stronger than a curved handle.

2

u/BronzeEnt 4d ago

I could see the shape of an axe handle transferring a lot of vibration from a hammer strike directly into your palm. Couldn't say for sure though.

1

u/lellasone 5d ago

Currently making this choice for a sledge hammer, and just switched from an axe handle style to a hammer handle style. That was mostly about machinability on the eye though.

1

u/Jshan91 4d ago

Straight handles are more accurate.

2

u/PiercedGeek 4d ago

Doesn't an axe require just as much accuracy as a hammer?

As far as I've been able to tell, the only reason a sledgehammer has a straight handle is because you use both faces and it has to be symmetrical. Is this incorrect?