Show Me Your Awl Handles

[Steve Friedman]

Several years ago I bought two awl kits (one scratch, one birdcage) from Bob Z. at Czeck Edge, but never made handles for them because I was having such a hard time drilling a straight hole. This past weekend a friend gave me his old bench top drill press, so I no longer have an excuse.

But, I'm wondering about the shape of the handles. Most of the handles I see look turned, but unless someone is secretly planning to give me a lathe, mine will need to be shaped with spokeshaves and rasps. I thought about possibly getting one of those kits that let you turn on a drill press, but it just reminds me of the Crazy Canadian guy using the wheel of his van as a lathe.

Any ideas?

By the way, if you're reading this and never heard of the Crazy Canadian guy, here's the video for your amusement:

Crazy Canadian

As always, thanks in advance

Steve

[GNP]

Red Green.

[RonB1957]

Just my 2 cents.
For the bird cage you may want a fairly short and stubby handle rounded to fit the palm of your hand. Better to twist with.
For the Awl either a longer slender handle to be used like a pencil or a thicker handle to be held more in the hand. That's just a preference of mine. Best of luck.

[Timberwolf]

Quote:

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Any ideas?

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Yep...how about a "tapered octagon"??? It wont roll off the bench and land point down on the concrete!!!

And you dont need a lathe.....

[Steve Friedman]

RonB1957 said:

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Just my 2 cents.
For the bird cage you may want a fairly short and stubby handle rounded to fit the palm of your hand. Better to twist with.
For the Awl either a longer slender handle to be used like a pencil or a thicker handle to be held more in the hand. That's just a preference of mine. Best of luck.

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Thanks Ron. I saw that the birdcage ones are shorter, but have never used one.

Steve

[Steve Friedman]

Timberwolf said:

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Yep...how about a "tapered octagon"??? It wont roll off the bench and land point down on the concrete!!!

And you dont need a lathe.....

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Thanks Jack. Tapered octagon sounds like a good way to start. I do need a lathe, but really need a bandsaw more.

Steve

[Timberwolf]

A bandsaw is ONE machine I will never be without!!!!!

[Rob Young]

He died in 2014 and not from "crazy"...

http://raisecancerawarness.weebly.com/my-story.html

[Bibliophile 13]

My birdcage awl handle is octagonal--shaped without a lathe. It's very simple but comfortable. The facets make it easy to twist around. I'll try to take a couple of pictures later tonight and post them.

[Stwood_]

Look through here.

http://s8.photobucket.com/user/stwood/li...amp;page=1

Some I made using ShopNotes awls