FAQ's

Our axe handles include one walnut wedge, except for Grade 3 Practice Handles, which do not include a wedge. Additional walnut wedges can be purchased through our store.

Replacement axe handles aren’t universal. Fit depends on the head you’re hanging. Measure your eye size carefully and reference the size chart in the description of our handles. If your tool eye is larger than our handle then it will be difficult to achieve a tight fit. Typically, our handle will be larger than the eye of your tool to allow for a perfect fit. This will require shaping with hand tools such as a draw knife.

Our How To Hang An Axe guide walks through the fitting process.

Our standard handles are uncoated, allowing you to apply your preferred finish. Unique Hickory comes oiled. Check the individual product description for finish details.

If you’d like us to oil your handle before it leaves the shop, add our handle oiling service to your order. We’ll soak it in boiled linseed oil before shipping. Add one oiling service for each handle.

Our listed handle lengths refer to the finished handle. The length is measured from the top of the eye to the bottom of the palm swell on a finished handle. When you receive your handle there will be extra material on the end of the palm swell; this is to aid in the hanging process by providing a surface to absorb hammer blows and later be cut off. Whether the extra material is removed or not is up to you.

We do not hang customer provided axe heads. Please refer to the How To Hang An Axe guide page to learn how to hang an axe head using hand tools.

If you are new to hanging axes, we offer practice handles so you can experience the process before hanging your axe head on a Grade 1 or Grade 2 handle.

If you are looking for a complete axe, please go to hoffmanblacksmithing.com to purchase one of our hand forged axes. We do re-hang Hoffman Blacksmithing axes and if you are interested in this service please contact support@hoffmanhandles.com

Octagonal handles have eight facets that run the full length of the handle. The oval handles are entirely smooth with no transitions. Check out our blog for more information.

Handles 19" and shorter are not graded with grain orientation in mind. Grade #1 with parallel grain plays a role in longer handles that take a bigger impact than a short handle does. Short handled axes and hatchets do not impart enough force for grain orientation to take effect in the strength of the handle.

Oil your handle every time it gets wet and when the seasons change.

If you’d like us to oil your handle before it leaves the shop, add our handle oiling service to your order. We’ll soak it in boiled linseed oil before shipping. Add one oiling service for each handle.

Our shipping department processes orders Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm EDT. Any orders that arrive after 4:30 pm are processed the following business morning. Once your package has left Hoffman Handles, delivery control belongs to the carrier. USPS rolled out its 10-year restructuring plan that has contributed to current delays in shipping. While they are sorting out the issues, we recommend choosing UPS if you are not using a Post Office Box.

Import fees that other countries impose are out of our control. It is your responsibility to check your country's current rates and fees to get an estimation of what you could owe.