Thread: Does anyone turn handles?

Hi all,

Since I am repairing a silver set and I got referred over The Golden Nib.

That got me thinking. I have some absolutely gorgeous wood from my knife making and some special woods. I was curious if anyone turned them?

Thanks,
Jim

Check out the thread about the Michigan get together. There was a fair amount of handle turning going on.

I'll check it out.

Here is a sample of some of the woods -



Looks plain you say? Each of these pieces is from the USS Constitution. Got them while on Reserve Duty.

Some more exotic -



Some mesquite burl, kuri (+50K old), ironwood burl, and cocobolo.



Some black walnut crotch, and 75 year old boise de arc. Trust me they have big wow factor when polished.



Some black ash burl, some real special curly maple and afzal lay.

This is some I have on stock. I have some nice suppliers for others.

Jim

Wow, I cannot comment on anyone turning handles but pieces from Ol' Ironsides herself. Out of all the woods those pieces have to be the most unique. Plenty of people can use exotic and beautiful wood, but how often can you hold a piece of history every time you use whatever it is you decide to use the wood for. An amazing find!

This guy, rudyvey, turns nice handles, but I don't know if he supplies his own wood or will use yours.

Straight Razor Place Forums - View Profile: rudyvey

Also,I think cannonfodder turns nice brushes

Straight Razor Place Forums - View Profile: cannonfodder

Maybe you can PM them and set something up.

i have turned one brush handle, i wouldnt say im good at it but i was happy with my results lol.

-dan-

p.s. that black ash burl looks really nice do you possible know where i can get some?

There are dozens of tuners on here. Search for what style they have made then throw a dart as any turner can turn any shape. Select for confidence as to what they have done. Special woods like the couple of pieces you have should only be put in the hands of an experienced turner. Don't be afraid to ask what they have done other than brush handles. I would look for a proper bodger though. I worked as a cabinet maker, then a bodger my self before I went into artistic turnings. (Now I'm a student. See what turning pays!) As a bodger I would have to take a piece and turn exactly to specifications otherwise it wouldn't fit. If you want a handle to your personal specs make that well known. Obviously I don't turn now other than for pleasure otherwise I would offer through a PM. But I hope I have given you a basis for understanding from a different perspective.
And yes spindle work is easy, but there are many "turners" out there, of those that exist I will only trust certain people to make certain items for me.
Sorry for the random thoughts, I am tired.

Thanks all,

The wood is from Wood Stabilizing Specialists, Int'l., LLC | Virtual Visit . Only thing is that it stabilized or resin inpregnated. This would make how it works VERY different. This particular piece is brown dyed as well.

Mike is a great guy and has very particuar tastes in wood. What he calls interesting is beyond what most people will ever see and what he calls fantastic is jaw dropping. Just let him know what you are looking for.

Jim

Originally Posted by Drac

Have you ever considered stabilized wood? It is pretty much water proof and hard as a rock. I use it as handle material for my knives. Not only does it allow me to use woods I couldn't normally use such as burls and spalteds but finishing is easy. I sand to 600 grit and than buff with green rouge. My friend who makes calls has used it a couple times and while it is different to turn because he can sand it while turning it is easy to sand to a smooth finish and than just a quick buff and you have a glass shine. Only big issue is that you should wear a vapor rated respirator since the acrylics can release a vapor.

I get my wood either wood stabilized, have it stabilized by a professional company or on the rare time the wood can't be stabilized I use carnuba wax but these woods are so hard and dense they don't even need it much.

Jim

I do use a lot of resin stabilized woods, in my pens as well as in my shaving brushes. In fact, I recommend to my customers the stabilized wood when they want a wooden brush. Some of my pens have seen daily use for over 8 years and they are still fine. A lot of woods can be bought already stabilized, others I send out to a service. However, some woods cannot be stabilized sue to either density (Snakewood) or oil content (rosewoods, like Cocobolo).