Straight handle. Comfortable, familiar grip for both tool uses. Then wrap a grip with paracord or similar on the bottom third.

Man, your subs are the best! At the mere mention of a possible idea, people jump and send you these wonderful things and give you their input. What a great community!

Hey Cody, I have a thought. how about a straight handle with a double flare, so that it has balance.

I use them for killing zombies. You may respond, "There's no such thing as zombies!" Well, the zombies said the same thing, but everybody knows what liars those things are.

Thank you so much for all your videos. I grow up on a homestead in Oklahoma and bought mine when I was 21 years old. Your videos have been so helpful on taking care of my inherited tools and on learning what many of them are. You have made my life on the homestead much easier. Thank you.

The pick end would be the primary use of tool with the occasional trimming or chopping of a twig or splinter. I would make the handle as short as comfortably possible for picking up billets for the splitter without crouching. I would make it similar to a double bit axe handle. I think the handle should be oval in shape with a smaller cross section. Extra weight on a pickaroon is going to be lifted with every billet so lighter is better. I also think it should be secured with wedges or a pin. A pick axe or adze handle will tend to rock and come loose from the head. Having the bladed head slide down on an overhead stroke could require your EMT skills. When it is being used to chop the oval handle will help with keeping the bit square to the cut. I think a round handle would spin in your hand making you grip harder to control it and adding to fatigue. I'm also in favor of choking up on the handle when cutting splinters and small branches. The blade is too small and light for extended branch lopping. That could better be accomplished with a cruiser or full size axe. The kind of chopping this would be used for most closely resembles that done by a hatchet. A small bump in the handle about 12' down from the head would give you a gripping point for hatchet like use. So that's my $.02. I'll be interested in what you finally come up with. Dave N. aka Old Sneelock

My vote is a round straight handle. jason

I think that for this tool since you are normally going to be reaching with it and holding it near to the bottom of the handle that a more curved handle with a flared end would be most comfortable. Just a thought. Thanks for all that you do, I know it is not always easy.

I can't wait to find a cheap one to have! Thanks for the video :) I think a straight handle, but designed like a double headed axe

Great looking tool! I vote for a straight, round handle. That is definitely a tomahawk. Go with your gut, Cody.

The best handle in my opinion would resemble a small double bit axe handle. Good for use in any direction.

I would go with a straight oval hickory handle similar to a double bit, with a flair-out at the end. The handle would also benefit from a protective steel sleeve for overstrikes. I've reviewed several Ochsenkopf axes with the Rotband-Plus feature and bet you'll have overstrikes with the chopping end. Do you plan to make a leather sheath for the new tool?

I know you've already made it but I most definitely would've made a double bit handle. It's a straight handle and has a nice butt that obviously works either way you have it turned.

Troy your work is beautiful

Very nice, I would like the tomahawk style straight handle.

That truly is a beautiful tool. I'm pretty exited to see it mounted with a nice handle. Straight sounds good.

I have just picked up a Dutch Army surplus firefighters hatchet for this very reason.... hen I found this video! I do hope this tool is working out for you sir. Thanks for all your wonderful videos and time. All the best from West Yorkshire, UK. Thom

Definitely a straight tomahawk style handle. Absolutely beautiful work by Troy.

Definitely a double bit cruiser style handle... That's what I could envision when I saw you pull it out! Love it

My vote is for a Tomahawk style handle.

Agreed - straight handle (allows it to be more-or-less ambidextrous for both portions of the tool), larger diameter handle. Love your videos!!

That is a beautiful work of art. I have made a few tomahawks and I think it needs a straight handle shorter than the other handles you have. You can throw it if the handle is about 16 or 17 inches long. They are great fun to throw.

I was thinking a hybrid kind of handle using the best things you like from both the round and the traditional handles. My idea is an oval handle with a slight taper and swell at the bottom, while still being straight. I can't wait to see how this one is going to turn out!

Baseball bat handle.

That is a very cool axearoon. Now I need one; thanks a lot! I really like the straight handle idea.

Hi Cody, how about something base ball bat shaped. Seen an axe hung on one once. You'll have the swell also so it doent slip oit your hand. Love the axearoon btw, would love one my self.

That is out standing! Great job Troy

I would pole lathe a straight handle with a taper like a picaxe, so that you can take the head off for camping trips and put it back on when needed, and how about making a nice leather cover - good luck with it, its a lovely piece of work.

mumford and sons- ghosts that we knew

My two cents: I'm thinking a slight oval handle, in the interest of ease of use. You would be able to tell that you had a good striking angle just by the feel of your hand. The same theory is tried and true in edged weapons, helps with alignment. Pair that with a small outward lip at the bottom, and I think you would have a nice handle.

Stright handle is what i would like to have on my pickroon i have a regular axe handle on mine know but i think stright would be better . wher can i get one axearoon i need one .

The handle would need to be thicker at its end such that it doesn't slip through your hands. Furthermore does it need to be symmetrical to make it usable in both directions. Thus I am thinking of a combination of tomahawk and double bit axe handle.

that is truly a show piece. Troy is absolutely a very fine blacksmith.

Shout out from Australia, go for the straight handle. love your channel!

Double bit axe type handle sized right. In my opinion the only correct option.

What about a handle carved like a double-bit?

good stuff

Like most combo's there is sometimes a sacrifice or "compromise". I would say that a classic handle would be best - the axe is there to augment the pickaroon, imo. Nice piece btw - that subscriber did good work. I'm sure whatever handle you produce will look come together perfect.

What would you use it for? I could see maybe rolling logs, but why the axe head?

Symmetric palm swell on a straight handle. Taper from round at the grip to oval near the head.

Beautiful tool!! tomahawk handle fits best IMHO!

I stand for the tomahawk style handle. It should look somewhat like the orange pickaroon, have the same length, but be slimmer. Good tip: I used white american oak on a restoration project, and sanded up real well and treated with boiled linseed oil, it is the best feel ever. Better then hickory in my opinion.

I like baseball bat handle with knob. I have restored a old pickaroon with small axe handle and love it. You have inspired me and now restoring several old axes. Thanks for your inspiration.

What a great looking tool with a great story. Enjoy it Cody. When you first talked about your idea for this axearoon in the previous video, I had a question that still lingers especially after seeing this finished prototype. When you choke up on the grip, like you do when using it as a handle to carry firewood, won't you be choking up into the sharp beard of that axe blade? Will that hinder that particular use and versatility of the pickaroon? Is that a tradeoff that you anticipated and consider a good swap? I started using my wood pick that way after watching you do it and now I don't know that I would want to give that up in order to have a small axe handy.

Really looking fwd to see what you come up with !

id suggest turning handle in the lathe and starting thick at tool end then create a set of finger grooves?

Halfway through the video I would have said a straight handle with a pom-swell, to improve the grip when carrying stuff on the pickaroon. It'd have to be symmetric to fit the hand in both directions. Looking at the eye in the head, the handle will be quite slim, so I'm not sure how your argument about the bigger grip surface on the orange/black handle holds.

Great Job Troy!

Beautiful! I need to get a good picaroon!

Although it's a straight handle, the handle of a double head has a swell at the bottom. You should use a double head axe handle.

Why don't you make it like a double bitted axe with a narrow handle with an equal swell mushroom on the end?

What about a handle that would normally be seen on a double bit ax? I think that would maintain some traditional styling but also be functional for both sides of the axearoon.

When I first saw it, my first thought was a hammer style handle. This way it would still be straight but with a nice palm swell

I quite like the idea of a handle with two functionalities. A handle with the bended ergonomic end which makes carrying logs in straight arm less dependent of the grip of the hand. Further up the handle, a new shape which makes the reverse grip when using the axe pleasant. The high placed grip for the axe would make it easier to use as it is only meant for small chops and not powerful swings. I find that design interesting. The straight handle would probably work just fine, but with the right design based on this idea would be superior and more fun! :)

Just a thought, but what about a custom handle with an "S" curve at the bottom giving you the swell for use in both directions?

I think a handle that mimics a scaled double bit axe handle would be awesome! Still a traditional style with all the great features of a single bit axe, edge alignment reference, fawns foot, balance/feel etc. Think about tomahawk size with double bit styling!

What are the double axe head handles like?

Awesome craftsmanship ollllllllo

Really like the idea of the straight handle. Going to look so good inspired by a tomahawk. My vote is for straight!

Straight handle for sure. Can't wait to see it finished.

Maybe research if there is an Australian style, or native design. Probably would be something like the American tomahawk. Are you planning to drill for a roll pin also?

Im not sure if you know, theres this brand Krumpholz (germany) which makes two types of axe-pickaroon combinations.

Will you pin the handle to the head like a normal Pickaroon? I vote Tomahawk handle with a slight variation. A swell like a double bit at the butt.

I love your axearoon and would love to get my hands on one

My vote is for a straight handle. In your video the reason for an axe head was for minor trimming jobs and not for major splitting/chopping tasks. A straight handle may help keep in mind that this tool is not for heavy work ;)

my first thought when i saw the head even before you started talking about it was: "that really looks like a tomahawk head!"

Maybe do the handle like your boys hatchet handle with a large knot all the way around at the bottom.

Thanks for sharing again WranglerStar - enjoying, learning and eager to see your videos and spirit! ... also how can i get one - if i go to troys face book should i ask if he is willing to make me the same Axeroon that he made for you?

You could have a traditional axe handle, and have a reverse curve near the top so when you choke up on it, it'll basically be a really short axe handle.

what did you finally decide on....does it work for you...???

I think that the large round handle is the most proper thing to do. I like the idea a swell at the bottom like a double bit too.

Straight ovate handle. What a gorgeous piece of steel!

it reminds me of a midevil battle ax tomahawk I personally like the ax type handle. I think it would look better plus your doing what 80-90% of the pickaroon side. So 80-90% of the time will be more comfortable than a straight handle. Again its totally up to you and what you think will work best thats just my .02 cents LOL

A guy from halfway across the world is a blacksmith, watches and likes your videos, and sent you an amazing tool in a few days just because he's a fellow craftsman. I love the future. Oh btw, I'd do a straight handle with a larger diameter knob on the end to keep your hand from sliding off 😉 Ambidextrous and double sided

I'm thinking of a straight handle with a palm swell so that you can feel which tool side you are using.

With its size I was thinking it would be better suited to go on a handle similar to a hammer but then I have never used one of these tools.

Rough out both handles to try, then choose the one that feels best and make it with the hickory.

I'd use a straight handle..... shorter(maybe 2/3 to 3/4 full length)... with a knob on the end.

I'm sure it's done by now but did you think about adapting a similar double bit axe design ? I'll follow through & see how it went.

I like the idea of the tomahawk handle. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

i made a round handle for my pickaroon and the problem i ran in to was that i found that the handle was spinning in my hand while i was using it. (mostly on ash) can someone tell me how to fix this problem?

Where can I buy a axearoon from Troy....down under?

Thanks for the videos!

what about a double bit style or a good straight frammers wood handle

sick knife.. very cool axe.. what do you use the pickaroon for? Cool vids, thanks!

I suggest a tomahawk style handle with a knob like a baseball bat that is small enough to pass through the eye. Or a or a 'hawk handle with a leather wrap. The next project is a case for it...

Both! Straight, fat, round handle with a palm swell at the end.

Cody, I agree with you. The straight handle would seem to be the best option. Funny, I also thought of a tomahawk too. Thanks for all of your time spent on making all of your great videos.

Personally I'd go for the axe handle. It's main use is going to still be as a pickaroon so you would be holding it close up when you needed the axe side

A straight Handel indeed. But maybe instead of being just round make it oval with a bit of a palm swell, like a double bit axe handle.

Id god for a straight handle, in between a tomahawk handle and a double bit axe handle for size.

Why not make a compromise? Why not something like a double bitted axe handle? Straight with a swell at the top towards the head and a swell at the bottom?

You've defiantly got the right idea. My vote goes to the straight handle.

I have seen a combo handle, the upper third choke hold is straight like a tomahawk which then flares into a traditional axe handle shape which is what i would consider.

straight curly maple handle!

I think that is should be something dark or at least stained dark.

how about a double bit axe style handle?

like a doublebited axe?

i would try something like a short double bit axe handle.

are you still using this unique tool?