Thread: Saw handles?

I'm on the US west coast but I've never made a handle for a Japanese saw. My first suggestion would be to ask Stan Covington at Covingtonandsons.com. He knows Japanese saws well and also knows US woods. He generally is very happy to answer questions like this.

My second suggestion is this blog post from Jon Billing, an American now living in Japan.

Making Handles for Japanese Handsaws - Big Sand Woodworking

He identified Japanese Cedar/sugi and Paulownia as the most common handles in Japan. Japan does have hardwoods but I don't know why they aren't typically used for saw handles. I don't know why harder and denser hardwoods that are used for Western saws wouldn't work, except that they might alter the balance of the saw. That might just be a preference rather than a requirement.That would be a good question for Stan.

My guess is that Port Orford cedar or Alaskan yellow cedar would be closest to the Japanese woods used for handles. Western red cedar might work but is a little splintery.

I once made a handle out of Camphor Laurel. I imagine this is readily available in the USA ...



Morticed both sides of a split section ...





Regards from Perth

Derek

Just about any fruit wood.

These are Apricot. (EDIT) actually the lower one is WA Sheoak
All3.jpg

saws.jpg

I've used AYP (American Yellow Poplar) which is actually related to Magnolia (Japanese Honoki) and not a Poplar. It should be easily sourced in the USA.

But really, any wood should be suitable (maybe not a softwood unless you use epoxy to hold the blade in).

Steve

I agree poplar might be a good substitute. Liquidambar sytraciflua. Not too hard or soft, not too dense or heavy, easy to work. Readily available in 1 inch/25mm thick stock at any big box store but maybe harder to find in thicker stock.

Thanks for the thoughts.

I ended up making two from poplar, & one from Luan mahogany. As a bonus, I made them a bit fatter for my larger hands.

IMG_3423.jpeg

Originally Posted by jwoodcraft

Thanks for the thoughts.

I ended up making two from poplar, & one from Luan mahogany. As a bonus, I made them a bit fatter for my larger hands.

IMG_3423.jpeg

Nice job!