Once again, I had just finished hanging a vintage axe head on one my “local” farm supply/hardware store handles when my Whiskey River handles arrived. There is no comparison, really. First, I only had two handles to choose from at the farm supply and the fawn’s foot had a twist 8” from the end that is sure to break early on. The Whiskey River handles are all straight grained with near perfect orientation. To top it off, I have to scrape the varnish off the farm supply handles in order to apply linseed oil!
Another positive feature of the Whiskey River handles, for me, is the slightly oversize head area and more generous flare in the bottom of the seating area, that can fit a wider range of variation in axe heads than the “farm supply” handles. A larger flare means I don’t have to worry about the axe sliding over the seating area when I am fitting an axe head.
Thankfully I have only one more farm supply handle to use and I might even just cut it in half or thirds to use for smaller hand tool grips!
To sum up, you cannot beat the Whiskey River handles in price or quality compared to the farm supply, hardware, and big box stores in any way, shape, or form!