I think this is one of your best videos. Less talk and all action. Your explanatory notes helped with the less talk part and the music was great. Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan. I'm not for no talk, just less. Thanks.
Sometimes you are a bit preachy, sometimes I find your series go on a bit too much but my god you know how to make a handle making video. Love how relaxing, interesting and accessible you make this seem. You have turned it into a pleasure.
You know I when back and watched the back to basics series and it was just as good now as it was then; It's hard to believe how the channel has grown since then. Great video.
You have a real talent when it comes to making these handles. I am always amazed when I watch you widdle away at a blank and turn it into such a beautiful and purposeful creation. God has blessed you in more ways than you know!
I'm so glad you posted this, I'm a stonemason and I just bought a new 3lb hammer head from Trow & Holden I didn't care for the handles they sell I prefer about an 8 1/2" long handle and want to make my own, this video has given me the inspiration and motivation to do so......just gotta find some hickory stock. Thank you
I liked this video a lot. It was a good change of pace. I love the usual stuff on the channel, but every once in a while, the move back to something quiet and simple is refreshing. Thanks for the content!
Glad you reminded us of the proper species of wood too use on a wooden handled lever tool Cody, thanks. I heard some people use Ash, for even much longer, more stressed swinging type tools. Ash is great for a perfectly straight handle, But no other hardwood splits more easily. It's splitting properties are very similar to cedar. Great job. Thanks for sharing Cody
Ash has been used in Europe for thousands of years for tool handles. Only in recent years we've been getting American hickory. The hickory is stronger but some traditional tool makers still prefer Ash, I'm not sure if European ash and American ash are the same.
Yes, we know this. It was a reference to an inside joke. We have white ash and black ash here in the adirondack mountains. I own a sawmill and actually sell white ash, or swamp ash. Most black ash goes to making large and small baskets and backpacks and such, very flexible when beaten to a pulp. Yet super strong and long lasting.
+HOSSMCGILLICUTTI Thanks Hoss, (fraxinus excelsior) common ash is found across Europe, from the Artic circle to Turkey. It's the most common tree in the British Isles but is currently under threat from disease. its great for furniture, tool and sports handles. It also makes the perfect firewood, it burns hot for a long time and you can burn it green. I still don't know the difference between our ash and yours as we only have the one here as a native tree.
Very smooth and relaxing. Thank you. Just what I needed for my lunch video. I enjoy all your videos but this and your getting back to basics(? The video where you square and joint a log using the traditional tools) are my favorites. Thank you.
I love your videos! there is something really poetic about it, the music of the intro, the way you work with only hand tools, like a really traditional way. I really appreciate this about all your videos. Thx for sharing!
I'm so glad I watched this one. Thank you. I was looking on how to hand form a hammer handle, and I have the exact same tool, and also a vintage Stanley X3C spoke shaver. I have never used either, as they were inherited from my Dad when he died recently. I think I'll use my little 25cm bandsaw to get the initial shape.
Beautifully shot and edited. The audio quality is awesome as well, I enjoy the relaxing sounds of the woodshop. I had a wooden spokeshave just like yours, with the worn down concave area in front of the blade. It was usable in this condition, but took some mighty thick shavings if I wasn't careful with it. I cut a notch into the beech wood to remove the section of the wood that was worn out and inlayed a new piece of hardwood to repair the area, it cut much better after that!
Excellent video! Currently restoring a True Temper roofing hatchet and this is exactly the style of coke bottle handle I had in mind. I'll be using birch, as hickory is pretty hard to get in my area (and too expensive to order! haha).
Of all the videos you've done, Cody, this one is among my favourites. It reminds me very much of the Neeman Tools videos, which I adore. Simplicity is sometimes the greatest beauty. Thank you for sharing.
I really like the silent video...simple and classy. Btw just finished the book "Modern Homesteading. I really enjoyed getting to know all of you through it. I especially enjoyed walking with you through the story of your spiritual journey. Special kudos to Mrs.Wranglerstar on the book.
Very nice, I half expected it to be aluminum from the billet in the title. I guess that was probably mil spec aerospace grade billet hickory though ;) That was a really nice format for a nice quick video while I have my morning coffee.
Thanks for the video, Cody. The sound of a spokeshave or a drawknife is very calming to me for some reason. What is the name of that song? Can't seem to find it anywhere.
I wish I knew what became of my spoke shave, gave it away I think, now I really wish I had it back. Never knew how versatile a tool it is. Now that I've gotten the bug to resurrect old axes and hammers it would be good to have one again.Gabby
Nice job, Cody. By the way, did you ever finish banding your anvil stand? That was an interesting project. I hope this hammer is a sign that there are more blacksmithing videos on the horizon! -Cheers!
Great video, the simplest ones are always the most inspiring. Is there any need to use the same wood species for the wedge or can it be any harder wood? i.e could you use a contrasting walnut?
(IE poplar) meaning a wood a bit softer than the handled wood. This will allow the grain from the handle material bite into the wedge for a higher friction hold. Now of course the only difference would probably be that a hardwood wedge may bounce more upon installation. And that a softwood wedge fills the voids between the handle and wedge better. Its really more personal preference than anything.
also a little handle hack. if you use a contrasted piece of wood for the wedge like walnut or poplar (Poplar works fine if you use a good quality wood) not the crappy ones you usually use in handles. the contrast between the two woods will help if you need to remove the wedge for some reason, because you can see the different color shavings.
I enjoy these videos when it's just plan content. No begging for tools with small hints , likes, subscribers, money, book buying, store buying, shirt buying. The youtube of old when it was like hangout with a friend or neighbor without having to pay them, or them trying to convince you that their "job" is you hangout with them. Great video.
+Jeroen Pauwels Or check out the work of Peter White in the Philippines...no music, no narration but absolutely fantastic to watch(Rural life in the Philippines)
+Wranglerstar Well sir, Jimmy Diresta is another craftsman such as yourself. He crafts thing more as a buisiness and as art though. There is an argument online about who does things the better way, Wranglerstar or Diresta. PErsonally I see the merits in both ways, especially since you are doing things for different reasons. I would suggest you go and look at direstas videos sir. I think you may actually enjoy them and have the time to watch since they are typically short vids. I have a great amount of respect for you both and have seen every one of both. Just keep on being yourself, we love you for your style and who you are, as we do everyone we subscibe to.
I love these videos sir. just you workin on a project with one of your favorite songs playin. thats how I work. just makes for a nice video to watch. thank you.
Nice looking hammer i wouldn't have thought the head was heavy enough to seat itself properly the way you hung it but it looks great. The silent videos remind me a bit of jimmy diresta
I think you handled that well... Great job! without your videos I would go crazy over here in Abu Dhabi, I can never get back to the family and homestead fast enough. Thanks again!