Thread: Gennou - Handle

Originally Posted by yojimbo

And Sheets -- I also responded with joy when I got the notice of this post. Sometimes it's like a desert out there.

Maybe we should take up cooking (or knife fighting); the thread about Japanese knives is always on the go. That's one tool you don't run your thumb over to see which edge is which (at least if you're half-ways decent at sharpening).

Hi Steve

We spent a month travelling, mostly in the States, and then 10 days in Ottawa, which included 3 days at Mont Tremblant. We had come from a week in Manhattan, where it snowed the first day. The temps in Manhattan never got lower than zero, but the wind chill was fierce. Ottawa was cold but dry. Indeed, I was treated to a BBQ in the snow on my first night, and I even ventured outdoors in a t-shirt (briefly!).

Paul, the secret to working with timber that tears out like that is to, one, read the grain and reverse the cut frequently, and two, use a rasp when you can't succeed with one.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by Sheets

In the words of my late Uncle (an Australian), "A man has to believe in something,... and I believe I'll have another drink".

Steve

. With a saying like that you probably didn't need to add "(an Australian)" .

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Paul, the secret to working with timber that tears out like that is to, one, read the grain and reverse the cut frequently, and two, use a rasp when you can't succeed with one.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek

I think the cutting would have taken me an inordinate amount of time. Certainly more than I was prepared to spend on a handle. I am not good with a rasp (but I can do heavy breathing if the situation requires). I have a rasp I bought as an emergency purchase for another job and still haven't used. Needless to say it is an inferior tool completely dissimilar to one of Fence Furniture's beloved Liogiers .

For the moment I am content to say I have transitioned partially to the dark side. I suppose that puts me in the twilight zone? My approach to woodworking is still fundamentally pragmatic tempered with an appreciation of the finer aspects. This does not mean that I am competent with the finer aspects .

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

. With a saying like that you probably didn't need to add "(an Australian)" .

Regards
Paul

Well he came to Canada in 1947, so I wanted to be sure his lineage was properly attributed (since I didn't mention he was very handsome). Its not that he didn't miss Australia, but he always said he felt smarter since coming here .

Steve

Bushmiller,

Derek is right regarding working spotted gum. I see from your photos however that there is some fiddleback pattern in the grain. This makes working spotted gum almost impossible without resorting to abrasives as you did.

If you have the opportunity next time, make sure you choose straight grain then sharpen up those spoke shaves. A tiny bit of rasp work helps to get out the facets from the spokeshave then onto sandpaper. An alternative to rasp and sandpaper is to use a cabinet scraper to clean up (My favourite method, very satisfying so see those small shaving come off). I finish off spotted gum handles with a good hard burnishing with another piece of hardwood. Makes them like silk.

Regards,
Gadge

Originally Posted by Gadge

Bushmiller,

Derek is right regarding working spotted gum. I see from your photos however that there is some fiddleback pattern in the grain. This makes working spotted gum almost impossible without resorting to abrasives as you did.

If you have the opportunity next time, make sure you choose straight grain then sharpen up those spoke shaves. A tiny bit of rasp work helps to get out the facets from the spokeshave then onto sandpaper. An alternative to rasp and sandpaper is to use a cabinet scraper to clean up (My favourite method, very satisfying so see those small shaving come off). I finish off spotted gum handles with a good hard burnishing with another piece of hardwood. Makes them like silk.

Regards,
Gadge

Gadge -- couldn't agree more. I was going to suggest a card scraper until you did. There's nothing better for wild grain.

And I'm piling on with the advice about rasps. I built a banjo shaping it with nothing but rasps. Makes quick work while still maintaining control. Well worth the effort of getting comfortable with them.

Yojimbo,

Thanks for the support. Card scrapers and rasps are great tools.

By the way, I liked your movie. You're a handy swordsman but could do with a good shave .

Regards,
Gadge

Originally Posted by Sheets

Maybe we should take up cooking (or knife fighting); the thread about Japanese knives is always on the go. That's one tool you don't run your thumb over to see which edge is which (at least if you're half-ways decent at sharpening).

I quit cooking when I had an eighteen-to-twenty-hour-a-day writing job. Seems, since then, I've lost the knack. So I guess it's the knife fights for me. Damn... just when I thought I could slouch quietly into middle age... it turns out I have to be Uma Thurman in the Kill Bill films. ::

Originally Posted by yojimbo

I quit cooking when I had an eighteen-to-twenty-hour-a-day writing job. Seems, since then, I've lost the knack.

Well, I guess that means take-out. Yaki-matake with wasabi?

So I guess it's the knife fights for me. Damn... just when I thought I could slouch quietly into middle age... it turns out I have to be Uma Thurman in the Kill Bill films. ::

If you're like that (I mean Uma Thurman in Kill Bill), you'd best stick to dating via Skype.....

BTW, I wonder how Zatoichi tells which way his blade comes out - don't smell blood, turn it the other way?

Originally Posted by Sheets

Well, I guess that means take-out. Yaki-matake with wasabi?



If you're like that (I mean Uma Thurman in Kill Bill), you'd best stick to dating via Skype.....

BTW, I wonder how Zatoichi tells which way his blade comes out - don't smell blood, turn it the other way?

I wish I could get good Japanese food here. I'm on a little splat of an island, remember? And the nearest Japanese restaurant is definitely above my pay grade.

And yes, I'd imagine that's exactly how 'Ichi would check his blade's direction.

Originally Posted by Gadge

Yojimbo,

Thanks for the support. Card scrapers and rasps are great tools.

By the way, I liked your movie. You're a handy swordsman but could do with a good shave .

Regards,
Gadge

I'm sorry, Gadge -- I swear I replied to this with a suitably witty (actually... now I think of it, I'm sure it was screamingly funny) reply... and I don't see it here. And, of course, can't remember what I said. But... I reiterate... it was uproarious.

Originally Posted by Gadge

If you have the opportunity next time, make sure you choose straight grain then sharpen up those spoke shaves. ..... An alternative to rasp and sandpaper is to use a cabinet scraper to clean up (My favourite method, very satisfying so see those small shaving come off).

or use a a spokeshave scraper after the spokesave.

I have a vague recollection of seeing Terry Gordon reverse the blade in one of his spokeshave prototypes to make it into a shave when I visited him in his workshop a few years ago, but I could be confusing it with some other planes he was also showing me at the time.

I have a Japanese spokeshave which is made along the same design lines and will experiment at some time to see how well it converts into a scraper.

I have enjoyed the spirit in which the discussion has been conducted in this thread, as well as the content.

Neil

Originally Posted by yojimbo

I wish I could get good Japanese food here. I'm on a little splat of an island, remember?

I could say almost the exact same thing, but it'd be rather embarrassing...

Must find that hammer head I bought myself a few months ago and look at making a handle for it. I've become somewhat inspired with this thread.

The time to actually make a hammer handle is another thing entirely however...

Stu.