NZ Wood for Chisel Handle

I'm planning to make some handles for several mortice chisel blades, that came to me without handles. I'm not very familiar with what is needed: obviously fairly shockproof/non-splitting, turns OK, etc. Do any of you woodworkers have recommendations for a good wood(s) to consider for making the chisel handles out of please?

All my ancient chisels (great greay uncle's circa WWI) have a steel ring around the top of the wooden handles to stop splitting.

Yes, I'm planning to put a steel hoop around the top and another around the ferrule on the neck of the blade. I'm a bit puzzled by the kind of wood that I should be looking out for for the handle.

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Originally Posted by zimmer

All my ancient chisels (great greay uncle's circa WWI) have a steel ring around the top of the wooden handles to stop splitting.

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yes I would do the same zimmer steel or brass should be a must really - native well puriri first choice .kanuka . akeake should all be okay red beech possibly intruduced - hard to go past the aussie hardwoods i.e railway sleeper old power pole

Tanekaha is extremely tough . . ...

I've got a set with something similar to Rewarewa, they look great and have taken a hell of a beating.
Fitted with ferruls top and bottom.

From my futile attempts at splitting maire, I'd happily make some handles from it. In fact, I might turn one up for the hell of it.

NZ native woods: I’d try Marie if you can get some and shape it as it’s like steel. Next, I’d try matai; hard wearing and should be easy enough to find. Perhaps Puriri as used by early farmers for posts. Perhaps hickory, as a Nth American timber?

Puriri, like ironwood...

Also try demo yards for old wall stud material from old villas. Usually heart rimu, totara or the like. A Paslode framing gun struggles to drive a 3in nail into it.

Black mairie, used to be used for golf stick heads, it's not black though, pururi, and kanuka would be good choices.

Thanks chaps for the suggestions. All very helpful. I'm in Chch so the more southerly timbers are more likely for me to be able to source.

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Originally Posted by rupert

Thanks chaps for the suggestions. All very helpful. I'm in Chch so the more southerly timbers are more likely for me to be able to source.

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I know you are keen on a NZ Native but if you could get a genuine hickory handle for a shovel and make your handles out of that

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Originally Posted by rupert

I'm planning to make some handles for several mortice chisel blades, that came to me without handles. I'm not very familiar with what is needed: obviously fairly shockproof/non-splitting, turns OK, etc. Do any of you woodworkers have recommendations for a good wood(s) to consider for making the chisel handles out of please?

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Have a piece of ironbark if you want it

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Originally Posted by Tedz50

Have a piece of ironbark if you want it

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perfect

Most of the eucalyptus sp should be fine.
You could also use hickory from an old shovel handle or wagon spokes etc if some about. Oak would also work fine.


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I agree about kanuka , esp if you chose a bit with some knotting in it. Not easily split for sure.

V old rimu and totara are hard but would still split if given a pounding, totara especially. I've split enough for kindling wood to know.

Tried manuka?

Its heavy and hard and looks great polished and oiled. Ive used it to make knitting needles..... ( no - I dont knit...)

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Black mairie, used to be used for golf stick heads, it's not black though, pururi, and kanuka would be good choices.

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Not to be confused with 'Black Mariah' - Paddy wagon

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Originally Posted by rupert

Thanks chaps for the suggestions. All very helpful. I'm in Chch so the more southerly timbers are more likely for me to be able to source.

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As you are close, I can offer Ausi hardwood powerpole / crossarms - couple of sorts, Kanuka and old Oak

Blackthorn from hedges makes good strong handles but needs to be dried or it splits.

Here's a bit of hawthorne I made into a walking stick. I was chopping up some of the neighbour's old hawthorne trees, some up to ~350mm trunk. In a thicket, one had fallen over at some stage and one branch had put up some shoots up to about 35mm diam. I immediately recognised they would make good walking sticks as they're strong for their weight and the grain direction was ideal for a handle

Attachment 234822

Gave a couple away to folks who could use them

Hope your fine walking stick assists with your impediment....:P

I need several for my imoediments, especially thehead ones

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Originally Posted by rupert

Thanks chaps for the suggestions. All very helpful. I'm in Chch so the more southerly timbers are more likely for me to be able to source.

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my thinking -lancewood or manuka -ratr-though its rarer that rocking horse shit .for timber odds&sods try musgrovesat wigram -never know what you might turn up FBmarketplace another option.

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Originally Posted by zimmer

Hope your fine walking stick assists with your impediment....:P

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I'm not quite at the zimmer frame yet :P
Though I might be a tad crippled tomorrow- just sprayed 60 litres on thistles on steep slopes today. A lot of in and out of the SxS..

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Originally Posted by 6x47

I'm not quite at the zimmer frame yet :P
Though I might be a tad crippled tomorrow- just sprayed 60 litres on thistles on steep slopes today. A lot of in and out of the SxS..

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Did a whole lot in our largest paddock yesterday.They were beyond grubbing so used the tractor bucket and made a bloody mess. All that shit is growing like mad at present.

Now, back to wood for handles.

I have made chisel handles from Rimu when I was young and didn't know better and they did not last at all. Split pretty quickly without hitting them at all. I also made some tool handles from manuka and that has survived very well. Pururi is a good choice also. Personally I would go and buy a hickory shovel handle, cheap and already mostly shaped for you.

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Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

NZ native woods: I’d try Marie if you can get some and shape it as it’s like steel. Next, I’d try matai; hard wearing and should be easy enough to find. Perhaps Puriri as used by early farmers for posts. Perhaps hickory, as a Nth American timber?

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matai splits easily..marie is a bitch to turn...rewarewa is too but super tough.

Tedz50 and Moa Hunter very kindle gave me several different kinds of very tough wood to try out my woodworking skills on. I'll post a photo or two when I get the the handles made. thanks for all of the good advise. I really appreciate the knowledge and experience.