Delayed case of handlemania

[Evergreen]

Hi All

The handle on my back saw (a gift from the LOML years ago) had lousy ergonomics and was very ugly. I wanted a chunky grip that brought my hand lower behind the blade. So when everyone seemed to be replacing their saw handles a couple of months ago, I became enthusiastic. Then I got distracted on to other domestic priorities, the way you do. I’ve just finished my improved handle and as you can see, it’s far from perfect. But I’ve used up a treasured offcut (mahogany?) that was just 8” x 4 ¼ “ and I’ve now got a comfy grip that fills my hand. Seems to help control considerably too.

Many thanks to Alf and Mike W for their invaluable advice so generously shared in various places on this forum.

Regards.

 

[Paul Chapman]

That looks really nice, Evergreen =D>

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Philly]

Good job!
Philly

 

[Good Surname or what ?]

Very nice.

Tuit added to list.

 

[Anonymous]

First rate job that Evergreen Good for you 8)
Is this your first go at handle carving? I found it extremely rewarding when I had a go
How did you shape the form up with files/rasps etc or did you use a router or what method?
Are you going to keep the old handle as a memento :wink:
cheers Jonathan

 

[Colin C]

HI Evergreen

Well done on the handle and as Jonathan has said it does put a smile on your face when you use it.

 

[Evergreen]

Hi Jonathan

That's the first handle I've made right through to completion. I had two practice goes at getting the saw kerf right on some odd bits of iroko. I used Alf's tip of clamping another saw down and then rubbing the handle block against it. I then cut the handle shape out with a coping saw and did most of the finer shaping with a chisel, used bevel down rather like a mini spokeshave. I finished off with an ancient half round file and sand paper. Took me ages but it was very satisfying.

Regards.

 

[Anonymous]

I used a largish riffler rasp for most of mine, in fact that project permanently changed my view of rasps and files in woodworking. Same as with scraper's I had dismissed them as "not proper tools". But how wrong I was. I use a big old cabinet rasp nearly every day now!! Its great for dealing with wild grain.

How did you line up the hole's for drilling the wood? I cut my kerf (mercifully it went right first time-which is extremely unusual for me!) then sandwiched it around the blade with some clamps and drilled after that. Oh and what finish did you use, its a nice colour? (nosy so and so me I know!!)

 

[Evergreen]

Hi Jonathan

I took a cardboard template of the screw holes from the blade and marked their exact centres on the new handle block, veeeery carefully. Then I drilled right through with the smallest drill bit I had (as advised by Mike Wenzloff), then used a Forstner bit to create a recess for the medallion and the screw heads on both sides. Finally, I drilled right through for the full diameter of the screws themselves.

I used an American gun stock finish called Birchwood Casey's Tru-oil. My reasoning was that a saw handle, like a gun stock, has lots of exposed end grain and has to take hard knocks. The Tru-oil is a bit gloopy but it fills the grain a treat and gives me the impression that it'll be as tough as old boots. The colour of the wood is absolutely natural and my rubbish photography doesn't do it justice - in real life, it's beautiful.

The whole exercise made me respect the work of custom tool makers like Mike W even more.

Regards.

 

[Alf]

=D> Now you're on this Slope you'll want to look into rasps and sharper files and really enjoy yourself... :wink:

Cheers, Alf

 

[MikeW]

Slopes indeed...look at how far I've slid...

Nice job! That shape of handle is one of my favorites. Nice choice of wood, too.

Way to go!

Take care, Mike

 

[woodbloke]

A very stylish looking handle - certainly beats the look and probably the feel of the original. I suspect that the saw is much easier to use now as well - Rob