So boring... another first wa handle thread

[ian]

This is my pathetic attempt to copy one of @bryan03’s awesome burnt oak handles. It’s also my first woodworking project since I was a kid. The grain doesn’t pop as much as in a Raquin handle, you could fit Arkansas into the tang slot, and there are probably 1 million other reasons why it’s worse, but I’m reasonably happy with it.



Here is everything I used to make it! The handle is in the middle.

(Edit: I forgot to include the small drill I used for the initial holes for the tang slot, and a couple small needle files. Oh well, I’m not taking that picture again.)

Thanks to @Carl Kotte and @Dendrobatez for their advice, and to some other chatty KKFers as well.

 

[Carl Kotte]

You call that pathetic? I’ll show you pathetic!

Great job Ian!

 

[ma_sha1]

A wisemen once sad, 50% of the success is getting it started, great job!

 

[birdsfan]

I think that came out great! It is even more impressive considering the tools that you used! Practically hand crafted

 

[Tim Rowland]

Shoot man, it looks great especially considering the tools you had for the project. Make a few more and I bet they will be perfect.
The next time I make a batch of handle broaches I will send you one and it will help you out with the tang slot.

 

[M1k3]

Good job! Whenever I get around to doing mine, I hope it turns out just as good!

 

[Dendrobatez]

Looking great, the only other advice I can give is that you can never have enough clamps

 

[panda]

you forgot the monkey wrench

 

[ian]

The next time I make a batch of handle broaches I will send you one and it will help you out with the tang slot.

I will totally take you upon that. I didn’t even know what a broach was until @Dendrobatez mentioned it to me.

 

[inferno]

good tools for handles are: extra long drills 2,5-4mm, very thin chisel, needle rasp, needle files, small reciprocating saw blades. this is all you need really.

first you drill 2-3 holes to depth, then connect the holes up top to make a slot. then try doing the same down the hole.

 

[Carl Kotte]

With his first attempt @ian has already managed to surpass me. I’m so offended I don’t know what to say. The only thing I have that Ian doesn’t is a handle plant. Today I harvested some ripe fruit:

 

[ian]

Those are sweet! I am intimidated by your use of glue and different woods/metals. Super nice.

 

[Carl Kotte]

Those are sweet! I am intimidated by your use of glue and different woods/metals. Super nice.

Don’t flatter me! I’m navelludd

 

[Carl Kotte]

And I never use metals. With my primitive gear I’m afraid that would spell trouble.

 

[ian]

Don’t flatter me! I’m navelludd

When I woke up today, I never imagined that I would soon know the Swedish word for navel lint. I imagine there's some subtlety to your use of it that I'm missing though.

 

[ModRQC]

Both of you suck and you should therefore send me all those messed up handles. I'll happily get rid of these for you. A token of appreciation for two faithful KKF members.

 

[ModRQC]

... (fingers crossed) ...

 

[Carl Kotte]

When I woke up today, I never imagined that I would soon know the Swedish word for navel lint. I imagine there's some subtlety to your use of it that I'm missing though.

Not really! In fact I just had an apparent (in fact incorrect) memory that ’ludd’ could be used in American English too. But checking my sources, I realize I was wrong, again. And now I’m even more offended and ashamed.

 

[Carl Kotte]

... (fingers crossed) ...

GLWS!

 

[ModRQC]

Goddamit! Now I'll have to think of another scheme.

Good work guys, Carl I think you are quite getting there. Can't wait to have a Custom Kotte on one of my Wa.

 

[ModRQC]

Color, finish and texture looks awesome to me @ian

 

[birdsfan]

I can tell you first hand, Ian, that metal sucks. That last one i did with the brass plate has contributed to my hair loss

 

[Dendrobatez]

I can tell you first hand, Ian, that metal sucks. That last one i did with the brass plate has contributed to my hair loss

Yes, especially as spacers. I like doing brass ferrules but its still not fun to do

 

[gregfisk]

My handles aren’t wa style but I do use a lot of metal. The trick to getting everything to bond I’ve found is to drill holes in the pieces so the glue has something to hold onto.
All of your handles look great by the way.

 

[ian]

Btw, I finally got around to installing this handle (and making my first instagram post...)

 

[McMan]

Btw, I finally got around to installing this handle (and making my first instagram post...)

Looks nice! I like that the octo has a little verticality to it. Looks comfy.

 

[ian]

Looks nice! I like that the octo has a little verticality to it. Looks comfy.

Thx, I like the verticality and taper. It feel quite nice in use. Happy with every part of it except the Grand Canyon sized tang hole. I would have also liked a little more texture after the burn, but it's pretty good as is.

 

[Carl Kotte]

Thx, I like the verticality and taper. It feel quite nice in use. Happy with every part of it except the Grand Canyon sized tang hole. I would have also liked a little more texture after the burn, but it's pretty good as is.

Learn to love the hole!

 

[coxhaus]

So, does anybody use a lathe to turn handles? Sanding can be done but it would be so much faster to use a lathe. Turn like a 3-foot piece or a length so when you take into account for all the sawing you end up with a bunch of round handles. This is 1 wood working tool I don't have. My shop is full.

 

[gregfisk]

I built a small lathe but only use it to finish sand and polish my handles. IMO, unless you want your handles perfectly round the lathe doesn’t help that much. I use a 6x48” belt sander to grind my handles into shape. They are oval shaped with a good amount of taper so the lathe works well for sanding them smooth. Once you get into any other shape, I think you’re better off sanding on a belt. I take my square handle and start by grinding off the edges. Basically the same way you would make a wa handle. Then I just roll the handle while sanding it into the shape I want. I haven’t found a faster way to do it.