Northern Hewer, I never heard that a template was kept to keep a nice axe handle design alive, though that makes perfect sense. I intend to base my future handles off the ones I currently have and like best.

The finest quality handle I have seen on the commercial market is from househandle.com I purchased one when first getting into restoring axes and was exceedingly pleased with the quality finish when it arrived.

However, I prefer the connection that comes with a tool in creating your own handle.

Do you have a link to the video you created regarding the hewing axe handle? That would be neat and informative to see.