GG

MLW and I spent time at a craft show in Baltimore yesterday - one of those 400
booth events with pukey ducks all around.

There was a fellow selling charis, benches, stools and tables with axe handles
for legs, so I stopped. Had to ask where he got all the axe handles and he said
he used to buy them from a guy who made them, then he went out of business.  So
he bought 2 of the duplicating lathes the guy used  and now makes his own.  He
showed me a picture and sure enough, on one side is the sample hanlde, and on
the other side is the new one.  Since many of his products used just 1/2 or 3/4
of a handle. he can make just that amount.  The lathe in the picture was line
shaft driven, but had been altered for one of those giant old motors.

He also had a line of walking canes that are wood blades with old saw handles on
them that were at the top for you to hold onto.  Fearing the worst, I asked
where he got the handles, and he said off of blades that were used up or
severely rusted (Phew).  He told me he had a handle off a Disston that he
thought was Wenge.  When I asked how he knew that, he said a friend who was a
cabinetmaker looked and agreed with his thoughts.

I have never seen a Wenge saw handle on an old saw - have you?  My thoughts were
that it was either a replacement someone made, or it’s Brazilian Rosewood that
is very dark on a something like a Victory saw (D-43??)