Have you ever fitted a handle to an axe before? If not, be prepared. I have done a bunch, did another one yesterday (actually a brush hook, but no real difference). Took me over two hours to get that oversized hunk of wood down to proper size. But the good news is that the new handle has the straightest grain I have ever seen in a hardware store handle...

I haven't done one in a long time but I'm expecting to have to work at it a bit. Worth the work to get it straight and solid

Just go slow, and test fit often. Wood removed can not be replaced!!!

Good advice above. The payoff: when you finally get the handle fitted and wedged, and the axe hangs and swings perfectly, as if it were an extension of your arm, there is a moment of supreme satisfaction that's hard to beat.