Thread: Handle for Disston

Hello Grahame,
I have made a couple, and these out of American Oak - only because I had some scraps the right thickness.
There would be plenty of other timbers that could be used. I don't think the timber has to be particularly strong, so you could choose any close grained timber that takes your eye really.
Good luck with the handle making.
SG

Apple was the commonly used wood for Disston.
Cheers,
Jim

As SG said american oak would do and also european oak or beech. If you are not so concerned with it being authentic then go with whatever wood you like the look of. Line the grain up as per the original. If you photo copy or scan the handle full size then you can stick it to the new wood and cut out the new profile. This avoids any errors when tracing out the new handle from the old one. I have found cherry makes a good handle and is available at good timber suppliers but a lot of other woods will do too. Jarrah makes a good looking handle too. If you post a pic of the old handle then some of us could make a call on it being saved or not. You would be surprised at what sometimes can be saved.
Regards
John

I made a handle for my Diston Tenon saw out of Rock Maple after I broke the original by dropping it on the concrete floor handle first.
Mac

Hi Grahame - wot the others said. Apple was the preferred wood pre-WW2, but Beech was used after. Apple is superb, if you can get your hands on a suitable bit, because it takes a lovely polish from use.

But there are any number of other woods that would make a good handle - Qld Maple, Myrtle Beech, Silky Oak. Bush Cherry (Exocarpos) is a good Apple substitute if you can get it - not a commercial species & protected in some states.
Cheers,