The Vintage handle information thread

[gben]

Here is a shot in the top of the box at the bottom of the early 70s handles:

 

[gben]

Here is the lineup at my local hardware store of new Seymour hickory handles. Looks like they have a lot of dark heartwood in them?

 

[Agent_H]

Here is a shot in the top of the box at the bottom of the early 70s handles:

That is a great looking box of handles there!

 

[Steve Tall]

...it would be interesting to hear about the grain alignment and runout on this old batch of handles (from another post by gben), for comparison to the typical axe handles found in hardware stores today.

Here is a shot in the top of the box at the bottom of the early 70s handles:
...

Thanks!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Here is the lineup at my local hardware store of new Seymour hickory handles. Looks like they have a lot of dark heartwood in them?

Looks like those are their grade 19, which is medium quality with fire finish.

 

[300Six]

Here is the lineup at my local hardware store of new Seymour hickory handles. Looks like they have a lot of dark heartwood in them?

From what I can see from the picture, the curved haft on the left should never have been allowed to leave the factory. Looks to be a wonderful example of 'manufactured runout' due to making a curved handle from a horizontal-grained blank. If my assessment of the end grain on that one is correct (hey I could be wrong if in fact it has unerringly straight, but diagonal, grain) it wouldn't survive beyond the first couple of overstrikes or a hard pry to get it loose from being stuck.
Any chance, gben, of your going back to inspect that one a little better, and maybe get a picture?

 

[gben]

I consolidated previous information I have put up and added some new information on handle brands on the first page of this thread.

 

[gben]

A 75-year-old man gave me this handle today which he said he was planning to pitch in the trash. Not really old, but pre-bar-code and probably pre-Seymour, and it has decent grain orientation. By coincidence the same model number of the newer bar-coded handle a few replies above this one...

 

[garry3]

Nice one. I like the flame hardened look, probably just nostalgia.

It sure seems to me that todays handles are manufactured with there eyes to short. Just not enough length to the eyes. Mainly with the double bits. Of coarse we see all sorts of axe eyes , especially in the old vintage stuff. Just been a little irritating lately. I can fill the top with wedge but the gap at the bottom I just fill with wax. The way that handle that gben just posted is manufactured you can see the extra flair at the shoulder insuring that does not happen.

I do not no why its so frigging hard to get things right today. Its like the manufactures forgot how to do things right or nobody cares enough.

I am done ranting.

 

[Square_peg]

I do not no why its so frigging hard to get things right today. Its like the manufactures forgot how to do things right or nobody cares enough.

It's both.

It's been so long since the buying public has had any idea what they wanted that the manufacturers have forgotten, too.

Cryin' shame. ;...(

 

[gsmorris]

anyone hear of Turner, Woolworth and Day Handles? looks like i have one attached to a Kelly Axe & Tool Works / TRUE TEMPER head

 

[gsmorris]

why have all the pictures disappeared? or is it just me who can't see them?

 

[phantomknives]

why have all the pictures disappeared? or is it just me who can't see them?

photobucket done did a paywall and screwed up most of this website past about a year and a half ago

 

[gsmorris]

photobucket done did a paywall and screwed up most of this website past about a year and a half ago

i wondered why things seem slow and once seemed so vital. Ahhh the promise of the internet! LOL thank you for letting me know

 

[garry3]

anyone hear of Turner, Woolworth and Day Handles? looks like i have one attached to a Kelly Axe & Tool Works / TRUE TEMPER head

http://hickoryhandle.blogspot.com/
Turner-Day & Woolworth Handle Co. was sold to O.P. Link, which was acquired by Seymour in 2004.The buildings were demolished in early 2008 per Google Maps.

 

[A17]

I just had an A-ha! moment. I got an old craftsman axe on a handle that I thought said flame but as it turns out it is a Flama grade Hartwell handle.