Most any type of wood should suffice, within reason. Root stock has worked for me in the past, or a really ugly stick of fire wood. Rived if possible or chopped to follow the natural flow. Building up forms and gluing or steaming, seem like extra steps to the same outcome, to me. Axe handle stock is something I try to keep a look out for, so when I need one it is readily available. It is like brace stock, we should always have some on hand, or at least it is a good idea.
A shaving horse (simply built), draw knife, spoke shave and perhaps a wood rasp, pencil to draw lines and another axe to assist in the shaping.
