My first Pipe-Hawk

Success!! today with a fresh cut 18 " hickory billet. My 4th attempt and this one is straight as a arrow and right down the middle. Perfect. Changes made include: I went to an 18 " X 1/4th" in bit (lots stiffer than 12" X 1/8th I was using) , I worked with wet fresh cut hickory, I followed the many excellent posts advice from Possum and Finnagan cleaning flutes, etc and I used a level to help trace the progress after cutting the face perfectly perpendicular to the billet long axis. And the big thing was that I was lucky. I've left the bark on to control/slow drying some ?, and painted the ends to help prevent checking. Any tips on the drying, curing process? and how to work a 3.5 in billet into a much smaller handle. I recognize that I have a chance to subtily impact blade striking angle some while I shape the handle, any suggestions?
 
Glad it turned out for you! that is always an incredible feling to keep chugging away and then it finally works.

The only handles I have ever made where round ones on the lathe. I am too much left brained to be a carver. The lathe still alows me to do alot of contouring and shaping. I know a couple people that use a draw knife and some rasps to make thiers.

As for the curing keep it outside so it will not get too warm and the humidity is higher. Store it standing up and make sure the ends are sealed extremely well. I was lucky to get some real nice Pacific Yew for free and I thought I had the ends sealed well with polyurethane and it still split real bad. Some of it will still be usable but the splitting wasted alot.

Good luck and show us pics when it's done.
 
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