Toivo's response is great, follow it and you will have a great afternoon. I use a rasp for finishing/shaping the top of the handle where it inserts into the eye of the axe. You shouldn't have to steam the wood, use the natural curve selected out of the stock you rived out. I would say 6-8 inches for the size of log, you want to stay away from the pith. Length of handles very with the user but safe to say around 18" give or take a few. Putting lines on the handle is a good start. Use a pattern or make one up to follow the curves stock you have. I find myself using my fingers and a pencil as a jig of sorts to chase lines which I follow and work to, centers and edges taking off the corners, something to follow, it keeps me from removing too much wood in the wrong spots. This doesn't have to be rocket science, every handle is a different character. I would like to hear other methods. Tim
