Wa Handle dimensions?

[tryppyr]

As you may know, I'm working on putting Wa handles on the kitchen knives I'm making. Having never seen one (except in photos), I have no idea how long or thick they are, and whether they generally taper from back to front. My inclination is to taper them (maybe losing 20% of the size from back to front), but I also want these to be as authentic as possible. Can someone recommend the dimensions that would be appropriate for an 8" slicer?

Thanks,

- Greg

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Wa? What's a Wa?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Anywhere from 1" high by 3/4" wide to a bit larger. I just measured one I have here and itb is 27X21mm.

 

[tryppyr]

Wa? What's a Wa?

It's a straight octagonal handle, often made with stacked pieces of contrasting material.

Anywhere from 1" high by 3/4" wide to a bit larger. I just measured one I have here and itb is 27X21mm.

Does length matter? I'm currently aiming for about 6 inches.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Thanks for the explanation Greg.

 

[carbonsteel928]

Greg, I've made a few dozen and it all depends on the knife. But the general dimensions that Stacy gave you are a good guide line. Check out http://www.skeller.info/handles/gallery/index.php and www.kitchenknifeforums.com . Shoot me a PM with the knife dimensions and I'll give you more specific measurements.

 

[JMJones]

My last wa was:

140mm Octagonal tapering from 31mmx23mm to 25mmx19mm

 

[ernestrome]

As you may know, I'm working on putting Wa handles on the kitchen knives I'm making. Having never seen one (except in photos), I have no idea how long or thick they are, and whether they generally taper from back to front. My inclination is to taper them (maybe losing 20% of the size from back to front), but I also want these to be as authentic as possible. Can someone recommend the dimensions that would be appropriate for an 8" slicer?

Thanks,

- Greg

Handles are like gloves, the size is determined by how big the hands are!

OTOH (no pun intended) mine end up approx the size of other suggestions here.

 

[tryppyr]

Excellent. Thanks for the help.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

One of the great things about a wa handle is it isn't particularly dependent on the users hand size. The slightly tapered and simple shape fits almost everyone the same. Length choice varies, but even that is pretty mush always in a close range.

I have found that the 4:3 ratio handle works best. The use of 1" by 3/4" ( approx. 25X20mm) around mid handle seems pretty near universally comfortable to grip. 5-6" long ( 125-150mm) seems to fit almost every hand.