The Frankenhandle.

**planemaker** · 26th March 2014, 05:05 PM

Hi all. Ever come across a backsaw handle that must have been designed for Frankensteins hand. The grips way too long; and the finger hole would easily accommodate 5 fingers. But other features of the handle you like. Such as the shape of the upper and lower horns.

What to do with it.!

Why not keep the parts of the handle you like and replace the rest to make up a new saw handle template.

I also changed the handle style from a closed to an open type, as well reduce the size of the finger hole to a conventional 3 finger grip.

Seven pieces were glued together to form this shape.

The front curve of the birds beak look rather long at 1st glance, but it's shaping allows the end of the forefinger to comfortably rest over it.

It was then slit down the middle to form 2 halves.

This is the underside of the half I will use as a template. The show side still retains all the profiles I will later need to shape the new handle.

Stewie;

**Simplicity** · 26th March 2014, 05:50 PM

Stewie
I'm trying to think off something witty to say but words are falling me at the moment.
But I will sit down pour a Jin and Tonic.
And see we're this takes you.
(It seems like us two the only ones down here in the back corner of the forum lol)

**planemaker** · 26th March 2014, 08:30 PM

Its quite a different approach to rely on for a handle design, but it has an advantages of a 2 dimensional drawing. This way you can get an appreciation of how it will feel in the hand before proceeding to the next stage.

**Simplicity** · 27th March 2014, 03:09 PM

I can defiantly see the advantages with your approach there stewie
Saves wasting a good piece of timber

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**planemaker** · 27th March 2014, 05:17 PM

I decided to make a couple of more changes to the handle shape before committing it as a template to use. As you will see part of the changes included modifying the curve shape in front of the beak to a double cove.

The handle template marked out ready to cut out on the scroll saw.

Stewie;

**Sawdust Maker** · 27th March 2014, 08:05 PM

interesting

I think it would look better with a couple of other contrasting timbers in it!

great conceptual idea - with the added benefit that you can check the feel and shape in the real world without wasting a nice bit of wood

Interestingly I noticed that you added a bit to the length of the handle, you must have broad mits. I think I need to make my handles a little bit fatter because I have long fingers

Edit
arh I see you reckon it was too long - I'll just wander back into my cave ...

**Simplicity** · 27th March 2014, 08:36 PM

Not sure on the double cove at the front
I thought the first one looked good the lines were simple but pleasing in away they mirrored the
Back of the handle

**planemaker** · 27th March 2014, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Simplicity

Not sure on the double cove at the front
I thought the first one looked good the lines were simple but pleasing in away they mirrored the
Back of the handle

Hi Matt. The double cove should be okay as long as I reduce the amount of chamfering on the actual handle. Time will tell.

Stewie;

**Simplicity** · 27th March 2014, 09:38 PM

And the brass back
Now what are we going to do there !
Looking forward to seeing another great saw stewie

**planemaker** · 27th March 2014, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by Simplicity

And the brass back
Now what are we going to do there !
Looking forward to seeing another great saw stewie

Not this time round Matt. Original steel back and blade.

**Simplicity** · 28th March 2014, 08:32 PM

Ok and ETA

**Bushmiller** · 31st March 2014, 02:34 PM

Nice work Stewie. Will this be the start of a small production line?

Regards
Paul

**planemaker** · 31st March 2014, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Nice work Stewie. Will this be the start of a small production line?

Regards
Paul

Might be Paul.

**planemaker** · 2nd April 2014, 03:09 PM

Progress on the new handle has been slow. She-Wolf tracked me down last for some major reno work of the bathroom. Got a bit of a break today. As you can see I am making some progress. I ended up reducing the size of the handle cheek plus some other minor changes. The profile along the top edge of the spine mortise I copied from the original template. I haven't used this type of profile before and it turned out rather nice. Kudos to the skills and of the original saw maker. The new handle wood is Burdekin Plum. I was going to use the original blade & steel back, but I will put them aside for another day & fit a new blade & back to this handle.

Stewie;

**Simplicity** · 2nd April 2014, 07:47 PM

Looks very good there Stewie
Is tradition slow crumbling
I like the profile along the top edge of the spine

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