Although Keathley retired from handle-making in 1997, he still buys stacks of fresh hickory wood. But instead of making handles from the wood, Keathley uses it to create ornate bowls, tables and ...

The 70-year-old family business in Cassville, Mo. (pop. 2185), makes handles of white oak, ash, and hickory for hammers, axes, wheelbarrows, picks, and hoesas well as for some very obscure tools.

The wood of this tree is hard and durable, and was used historically for mine-shaft supports, wagon-wheel spokes, and all manner of tool handles.

The axe is among the oldest tools that humans created. Although simple in design — a metal blade (these were originally stone) joined to a wooden handle — an axe has remained unchanged due to its ...