The Making of a Hickory Handle

[Chignecto Woodsman]

My FLAMA handle is made by Hartwell and it is perfectly horizontal. Given information in this thread, it suggests that someone wanted horizontal handles, and in great enough quantities for a large manufacturer to produce them.

It is also within the extra-light dimensions, suggesting that it was not necessarily of a lower grade (the photo suggests non-symmetry at the shoulders, but this could just be damage from the original owner). Although someone (aka Steve Tall) may be able to dig up what FLAMA stands for.

Hopefully this photo is sufficient to tell the grain (as straight as you can get, with no runout):

I can take other photos if requested.

 

[300Six]

My FLAMA handle is made by Hartwell and it is perfectly horizontal. Given information in this thread, it suggests that someone wanted horizontal handles, and in great enough quantities for a large manufacturer to produce them.

It is also within the extra-light dimensions, suggesting that it was not necessarily of a lower grade (the photo suggests non-symmetry at the shoulders, but this could just be damage from the original owner). Although someone (aka Steve Tall) may be able to dig up what FLAMA stands for.

Hopefully this photo is sufficient to tell the grain (as straight as you can get, with no runout):

I can take other photos if requested.

This handle is a perfect straight! You can do whatever you want without compromising durability or strength if you go straight. Then there is no chance of manufactured runout such as you get from using horizontal grain on curved hafts. Chances are there is a really nice 'spring' to a horizontal grain handle that you'll never get with a vertical. Trouble is the darn thing will break sooner rather than later if you insist on it having curves at the same time.

 

[Chignecto Woodsman]

Very true. Wasn't trying to bring back that debate, just thought I'd post it since it is interesting given the bastard-cut information here.

 

[quinton]

My FLAMA handle is made by Hartwell and it is perfectly horizontal. Given information in this thread, it suggests that someone wanted horizontal handles, and in great enough quantities for a large manufacturer to produce them.

It is also within the extra-light dimensions, suggesting that it was not necessarily of a lower grade (the photo suggests non-symmetry at the shoulders, but this could just be damage from the original owner). Although someone (aka Steve Tall) may be able to dig up what FLAMA stands for.

Hopefully this photo is sufficient to tell the grain (as straight as you can get, with no runout):

I can take other photos if requested.

That is what I have been trying to say all along.. a horizontal grain haft is a "premium" haft, and back in the days before that publication was written they were sought after by people who cherished the best that could be had.

Another thing, --grain runout is detrimental in a really curvy handle no matter its orientation. (Maybe more so in vertical grain) The old curved handles were essentially straight with a curved grip.