Thread: tool handles

I think you can always count on an interest in old tools here, Martin, & especially old tools with a bit of bling to them.....

Cheers,

Martin

While such things are a no no today, we can't change history, in an Orwellian fashion, so please post some pix.

Regards
Paul

Another vote from me Martin. This is my favourite section and it has been a little quite of late. The more the merrier.

Hi, Sorry

Will have to load up pics tomorrow

Martin.

Another yes please from me.

And another yes please.

Hi all,
These are the Ivory tool handles which all screw together and un-screw.
My father purchased a Holtzapffel ornamentle-turning lathe in the late 50s. It
came with two mahogany cabinets of Holtzapffel wood turning chisels. He paid
£ 50.00 for the the whole lot including a lot of exotic hard woods. There was
even an elephants tusk. He sold the lathe but kept every thing else. He did not
realise how rare the lathe was and tried to find it a few months later but it was gone.

Martin.IMG_20211120_115215.jpgIMG_20211120_113248.jpgIMG_20211120_113838.jpgIMG_20211120_114414.jpgIMG_20211120_114553.jpgIMG_20211111_104120.jpg

I think the were to be used as handles for lathe chisels.

Thanks Martin. Do you know why the ends are removable?

Originally Posted by Mountain Ash

Thanks Martin. Do you know why the ends are removable?

Hi,

I do not know why the handles are removable but may be to
put turning tools in .

Originally Posted by old workshop

...... I do not know why the handles are removable but may be to
put turning tools in...

Just a guess without seeing the actual blades, but I suggest it was so they could be safely stored inside the handle when not in use?
Cheers,

I think you have old multitool handles, or sewing awl handles.

Hi

There are no tool blades, just
the handles so I have no idea what they
were to be used for. There seems to be
one that has been used which has a piece
of wood inside and some marks on the handle.
It also has a brass Ferrule.

Martin.

Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

I think you have old multitool handles, or sewing awl handles.

Spinner

I think you may be on the right track there. I was struggling with the concept of inserting a self respecting turning tool into those rather short handles. Also ivory handles are something a little more in keeping with craft and sewing work than woodworking. I have only seen one woodworking tool with an ivory handle, other than the caps/nuts on high end plough planes, and that was a back saw. Simplicity posted a pic a while back.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

.......I think you may be on the right track there. I was struggling with the concept of inserting a self respecting turning tool into those rather short handles. Also ivory handles are something a little more in keeping with craft and sewing work than woodworking. I have only seen one woodworking tool with an ivory handle, other than the caps/nuts on high end plough planes, and that was a back saw. Simplicity posted a pic a while back.

I wouldn't be too sure about that, Paul. There is clear precedent for ivory-handled Holtzapffel chisels (scan down the page a bit). I'd say if the ivory handles came with the lathe, there's a good chance they are intimately connected. Of course another possibility is that the previous owner was making a batch of multi-tools, but I rather suspect he was a well-off chap indulging in a bit of conspicuous consumption. I believe you had to be well-heeled to afford a Holtzapffel - they were not cheap!

Ivory has appeared on quite a few tools over the years as structural parts, not just decoration. The famous one from the Yorkshire Wolds being the oldest "modern" tool I know of.....

Cheers,