Re: Picked up some sexy, cheap European beech
Skip in Falls Church
>Hi Patrick,
I hope you really enjoy making a saw handle - I found it a lot of fun. And being able to form the handle to fit your hand is a real plus in my book. IMO, no one can make a handle that's truly comfortable for your hand except you. :)
I am only guessing about why apple was commonly used - maybe someone else can say for sure. I'd *guess* that it was common enough with people thinning or replacing apple trees in their orchards, being hard and fine grained, it was appropriate for the use and that it would be hard to get clear apple in any reasonable lengths to make it appropriate for anything else.
As to grain direction on a saw handle - you don't want vertical grain across the short part of the handle - especially in open handle designs because it would make for a weaker handle. (At least that's the way I understand it.)
Where can you get apple wood? Well, someone gave me some. :) I've seen some places in this area say they carry apple - but I've never asked for any at those places. You might try eBay - there's appropriately sized apple there some times. I'd expect the natural supply of apple wood to be a bit scarce down there - it seems the Gulf Coast is a bit too warm to grow most types of apples. (As a native of the area - that's what I've heard, any way.) However, you might find a place of two that stocks it. Perhaps using the Luber Locator on Wood Central would get you someone.
If you can, post pictures!
Skip