Must be inflation, I swear I boutght my axe for about 20 bucks.
https://www.amazon.com/Estwing-Sportsmans-Axe-Camping-Construction/dp/B0002JT0AK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1963AVW8HJ5EV&keywords=estwing+axe&qid=1692376755&sprefix=eswing+axe%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-2
It is inflation. These days a handle can cost $20, and it’ll be a crappy handle at that. I usually have to sight the whole bin of handles at the hardware store to find one that’s almost straight.
All of my axes, mauls, pulaskis, etc. are over 40 years old by now (at least the heads are; I do break a handle from time to time, generally through carelessness). New tool prices are obscene.