Replacement Axe Handle Measurements

Hults Bruk Replacement Hickory Handles (a.k.a. haft or helve) for Hults Bruk Axes.

As the saying goes with several variations, "This axe has been in my family for generations. The handle has only been replaced twice and the head replaced once." If the handle is replaced, is it the same axe? How about the head? Well, either way, there comes a time in an axe's life when it needs a new handle (also called a half, or helve).

There are also times when a haftless axe head is found at a flea market, in an old barn, or somewhere else treasures are discovered. In that case, restoring an old axe is a rewarding project that leaves one with a quality tool. For finding an appropriately sized handle for an axe head, the measurements for eye length and eye width are needed.

Hults Bruk handles designed to fit Hults Bruk Axes can also be used to replace old or missing handles on old axe heads.  After measuring the eye width and eye length, the chart below can help find an appropriately sized haft to fit the axe head.

Name & Length	Eye Width	Eye Length
Akka - 24"	15 mm	42 mm
Almike - 16"	15 mm	42 mm
Arvika - 32"	23 mm	63 mm
Atran - 32"	23 mm	63 mm
Jonaker - 9.4"	15 mm	42 mm
Kalix - 28"	20 mm	50 mm
Kisa - 26"	20 mm	50 mm
Motala - 30"	23 mm	63 mm
Tibro - 20"	20 mm	50 mm

Hults Bruk handles are available at www.loghelp.com

2019 GLLCA Conference

We had a great time with the Great Log Crafters Association this spring. An April snowstorm pushed the scheduled GLLCA Conference into May, which altered a few plans, but ultimately it was an educational and enjoyable conference. One of the outdoor sessions was Mark Weber’s log chain demonstration. He showed how to chainsaw-carve a large-linked chain out of a solid. The unfinished chain went up onto the Association’s fundraiser auction, and now it’s sitting in the SLHS lobby as a point of interest.

There were two experiences highlighting the history of logs in the region—a presentation by Lilah Crowe of the Itasca County Historical Society gave an overview of the history of logging and notable log structures. Later, a visit to the Forest History Center of the Minnesota Historical Society gave a living history experience of life in a 1900 logging camp. Many of the historic tools used in the camps a century ago are still very familiar and used by log builders today—cant hooks, peaveys, axes, and the like.

Some great, educational presentations included engineering for log structures by Asche Engineering, and dustless wet blasting by ABS Blast.

Association members presented on some crafting techniques, including live-edge paneling cut from a curved tree, and an S-Curve log stairway that merged a glue-laminated stringer with half-log stair treads. Another great demonstration was John Beltman’s spring-pole lathe, in which he turned a Windsor chair leg on his lathe powered by a foot petal and a green wood pole.

Preliminary plans are in progress for next year’s moving, annual conference, and those interested in log craft are welcomed to join and watch for updates at www.gllca.org