octangle double bit handle

B

bearhunter

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Sep 12, 2009
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what do you fellows think of the octangle handles from HHS? (hickory handle store) UPDATE...

i got mine and they are perfect;) the grain, everything... top notch...
 
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I have no personal experience with them, but after seeing some of their pictures, the grain patterns vary from the "correct" orientation, the "incorrect" orientation, and everything in between

If you do order from them, I'd ask them to hand select a handle with the right grain pattern for you
 
In An Ax to Grind author Bernie Weisgerber states, "I personally prefer a slim-taper octagonal handle. I get a good grip, or purchase, on the slim handle and it has a bit of flex to it, unlike thicker handles."
 
I have a couple on back order from j Hollywood. Going to hang a Jersey on one.......good enough for Bernie, good for me loo.
 
bearhunter said:
what do you fellows think of the octangle handles from HHS? (hickory handle store)
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I recently ordered 2 28" handles, 2 36" DB handles, & round wedges from Mark @ HHS, and have been pleased overall. The shipping was crazy fast, and the finish is really good. Only 1 of my 28" handles is off on the grain orientation, but its not off enough to put it to the side... I also ordered 2 32" racing handles from J Hollywood Edge Co, but haven't received them as of today. For price and service, you couldn't go wrong with HHS IMO. Shoot mark an email. He seems to really care about customer satisfaction. Just my .02
 
I love my octagon handles. Good grip, easy to align during your swing. Love em.

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Cruiser I gave to my sister:
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These are just regular, oval hardware store handles that have been spoke shaved down, but hopefully it helps.
 
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thanks for the input fellows...

memphis, those look really nice. i see that one of them is a TT... i should be getting my TT perfect kelly works DB soon and was thinking of putting an octangle handle on it...

that is a real nice looking crusier as well... im sure your sister was very pleased:)

i may have to try my luck at making an octangle one, but for now i think im going with HHS... ive got my hands full right now with 3 SB handles that need some shaving down... i was going to start on them this week, but my spokeshave hasent came in yet...
ive got plenty of woodworking tools, but no spokeshave... im sure it will make my life much easier as far as woodworking is concerned...
 
bearhunter said:
thanks for the input fellows...

memphis, those look really nice. i see that one of them is a TT... i should be getting my TT perfect kelly works DB soon and was thinking of putting an octangle handle on it...

that is a real nice looking crusier as well... im sure your sister was very pleased:)

i may have to try my luck at making an octangle one, but for now i think im going with HHS... ive got my hands full right now with 3 SB handles that need some shaving down... i was going to start on them this week, but my spokeshave hasent came in yet...
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Cool, Man. The full size are actually both TT Kelly Perfects. A 3.5lb and a 4lb. Like I said, I think the shape is great. I actually prefer it in use to an oval.
 
Those handles you have to get used to, but once you jump ship, you wont go back. Thin, good purchase, make it worth it.
 
Bought a 36" octagon double bit handle from J. Hollywood edge. Nice and straight. I also agree with Broady on HHS. Quality stuff. I've also ordered octagonal straight and curved single bits from BillyJbluegrass on ebay. Nice stuff from him as well.
 
cooperhill said:
Bought a 36" octagon double bit handle from J. Hollywood edge. Nice and straight. I also agree with Broady on HHS. Quality stuff. I've also ordered octagonal straight and curved single bits from BillyJbluegrass on ebay. Nice stuff from him as well.
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I have 2 36" hickory DB handles from HHS that I refuse to hang due to the grain and quality. I need to order 6 from j Hollywood and be done with it...
 
cooperhill said:
Bought a 36" octagon double bit handle from J. Hollywood edge. Nice and straight. I also agree with Broady on HHS. Quality stuff. I've also ordered octagonal straight and curved single bits from BillyJbluegrass on ebay. Nice stuff from him as well.
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i ordered a couple 32" straight octangle single bits today... i cant wait to get them...
one is going with my 3.5lb TT kelly perfect jersey...
the other is going with the TT flint edge i won today...
 
Steve Tall said:
I'm curious about them, too. Looks like all their handles are lacquered. Any experiences with them, good or bad?
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I buy them at a local feed store. I usually have to pick through to find like 1 in a dozen or more that are acceptable. Many are horribly bent. Maybe that has more to do with what the local story stocks than anything. I've never ordered direct.

ETA: bearhunter refuses to use house because the ones at his local feedstore are horrible. Isn't that about right, bearhunter?
 
yep, thats about right... they have dozens of handles from house for various different tools... most are crap... even the fellows that work there will tell you that they are crap...
they say its very hard to find good handles these days... alot of the local foresters buy their handles at this store, but they have to pick through them and get the best ones they can, and they are usually not very good... just as memphis said, they are bent, lots of heartwood, and bad grain...
i was in there a couple weeks ago, i found two that were descent out of dozens...
they also carry link. they are much better. i ended up buying a 36" link... problem is, the link handles get picked through quickly... i live out of town, so if i dont get there right after they get a new handle shipment in, im left picking through the leftovers... or the house handles, which arent any better:(
i generally have better luck at on of the two ace hardwares in town... they just dont carry as many, so i have to check there all the time as well... sometimes i get lucky...
oh, BTW, the aces here carry link...
i tell ya, if a handle company could get their s$#t togeather, they could make a fortune... i guess?
 
i like to shave an oval handle down now and then, especially on cruiser's
kinda tricky to do , but makes a nice slim handle
when i re-profile old double bits i usually cut a few inches off the end of the handle and
do the octagonal thing too

buzz
 
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