handle review thread

I noted some pieces too small for an axe handle going in the 'save' pile. Likely to make sledge handles.

I would want a dust mask. I'll take their scrap pile for my smoker.

Looks like only a couple hickories make it up into Canada, Shagbark and Bitternut.
https://gec.cr.usgs.gov/data/little/
They may be buying stock from the States.
 
Sounds like music when the copy lathe starts up in video 3.
So cool to see a small operation like this still running. I want to throw them some business.

Awful lot of passes for one handle. That can't be typical. Nice straight kerf.

The sander. Please, please give me a dust mask! COUGH! COUGH! Leave a little more swell!

Checking it with the calipers. That can't be typical either. But I LIKE IT!

I see now that video 3 was a custom handle. Video 4 is normal production. Still pretty nice treatment and I'd love to try one.

Just great videos. Thanks for posting these, Bob!
 
Thanks Bob!
Those boys were old school and they used the PPE that they wanted to.
The skill of the sawyer cutting the billets is huge in correct grain alignment. Still it's problematic to get them all right. Straight hafts would be where I would use the less than optimal grain alignment billets.
 
It's seems like all these handle factory's are useing ancient equipment. I would think there would be better alternatives.
 
Thank you for posting that video. Hickory is not native to the maritimes (that copy lathe is situated in Nova Scotia) and in eastern and southern Ontario/sw Quebec it was never common enough nor fast-enough growing to be viable for commercial harvest. The small operation that is shown probably sources it's material from the north east US or brings it in from Ontario. One land-clearing operation (for new highways and subdivisions) that I've kept in touch with in the Ottawa area over the past 30 years is quite happy to set aside specific species for those that ask. 4-5 years ago Cartys Tree Removal was contracted with land clearing for a new 400 series highway and managed to load multiple flatbed semi-trailers with straight trunk mature Bitternut Hickory. Whether this went off to a sticker for flooring or elsewhere I don't know but it certainly could have seeded a small and labour-intensive handle-making business for quite awhile. Walters Axe of Hull Quebec was manufacturing 1000 axes per day during the 1950s and 60s and for reliability and quality sourced it's hickory from the southern US.
 
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