F.D.Ryan Traditional Australian Made Garden Tools
  • Welcome
  • Tools
    • Broadforks
    • Trowels
    • Spades
    • Hoes
    • Weeders
    • Hose Holders & Sprinklers
    • Small tools
    • Medium Tools
    • Long Tools
  • Plant Supports
    • Obelisks and Finials
    • Decorative Stakes
    • Plant Rings
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog

Timber Handles

19/7/2014

15 Comments

 
PictureJames turning small handles

Timber is a warm organic product, the perfect counter balance to the hardness of steel. 
At F.D. RYAN we believe a tool must not only hard working, but must look good and feel good. Choosing the right timber for your handles is critical.  



At present we are using three different timbers.

Spotted Gum is a native Eucalypt timber from the coastal forests of Northern NSW. It is a dense, tight grained timber with excellent bending and shock resisting properties. We use it on all of our tools that need the extra bending strength ,like our long spades and  daisy weeders. Never say it will never break, but it takes a lot of force to snap a Spotted Gum handle. We also use it on our fat small tool handles. 

Our broom handles are made from Tassi Oak, a mixture of three Eucalypt species from Tasmania, but mainly Mountain Ash. This is a lighter, straighter grained timber with excellent weight to strength ratio. We use it where we don't want the tool to be too heavy, like our sliding hoes ( flying dutchman and circle hoe.)  The timber is strong, but not as strong as Spotted Gum.

Our small tool handles are made from Rubber wood. This is a light, soft, fine grained timber which is easily turned. The waxy texture can be finely sanded to make a smooth, soft feeling handle, ideal for making lightweight tools that feel great in the hand.

All of our timber is sourced from sustainable forests, ensuring no old growth or rain forest sources are used.  

We finish our eucalypt handles with a decking stain to give a slightly redish tinge to the timber and help seal the grain, while we stain the rubberwood with linseed oil.

To preserve your handles, we recommend you store the tools out of the weather and occasionally ( once or twice per year) wipe down with linseed oil.

15 Comments
Crank handles link
31/8/2016 12:53:41 pm

I am glad you take pride in what you write. This makes you stand way out from many other writers that push poorly written content.

Reply
rodney
9/6/2017 01:14:09 pm

collected a series of mattocks from my deceased mother , restoring them , they are in need of a handle ? where are you and rough cost per unit , mattocks & picks Thank You

Reply
rodney
9/6/2017 03:07:47 pm

handle message above where are situated

Reply
James link
11/6/2017 08:56:20 am

Rutledge wood turning in Northern NSW makes great mattock handles from Spotted Gum

Reply
Mick Single
20/9/2018 04:22:30 pm

I lived in coffs harbour in the late 1980's and used to by all my handles of a rutledge, he even gave me a tour of his set up, just wondering if it is the same company or any association, we broke a shovel handle today and my brother and I were wondering if we could still get those top quality handles instead of the rubbish they try and sell us in town "Tamworth"
Cheers Mick

Reply
Mick Single
20/9/2018 04:34:00 pm

whoops sent that to the wrong person, but would still be interested in prices on handles for garden tools

Reply
James
22/9/2018 10:20:55 am

The son Mark is now running the business and still producing fine work. They sell under the RED DOG brand and should be available from good hardware store

Reply
Richard Bryan link
21/10/2019 01:49:07 pm

hi,im looking to supply gidgee for making tool handles,i have an unlimited abundance,its the 3rd toughest wood in the world,i wouldnt say it is a light timber,after having a motorbike accident 7 yrs ago im looking for a direction in life hoping you can help me out.

Reply
David link
19/2/2020 09:04:08 pm

hand make garden tools is good looking and handy. Wood made handle is perfectly grip and easy to work.

Reply
https://sawmilldirect.co.nz/ link
11/8/2020 01:44:49 am

The timber handles and more flooring designs I have ever seen and developing the great techniques with us,keep it up. I have found here essential timber designs and colours available.

Reply
Usama Niazi link
11/12/2020 04:52:36 pm

Nice article

Reply
chris Brock
20/10/2021 07:45:50 am

Hi there, i'm lookinh to replace my broadfork handles (from dryan tools) - do you think i can get rutledge wood turning to make them to size?
thanks

Reply
Peter Quinlan
25/8/2022 03:47:19 pm

Can you supply handles for Boat hooks say 2.2 to 2.4m long. Ideally a wood that is relatively light . Say 50mm diameter or close enough.
Peter 0409885729

Reply
rolet online link
26/8/2022 02:43:00 am

Useful information on topics that plenty are interested on for this wonderful post.Admiring the time and effort you put into your b!..

Reply
Content post link
10/2/2023 11:53:56 pm

All your hard work is much appreciated. Nobody can stop to admire you. Lots of appreciation.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    James is a young toolmaker from Warrandyte. Follow  James on his journey to design and make quality garden tools and artwork.

    Archives

    February 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Markets
    Steel

    RSS Feed

F. D. Ryan Toolmakers  HEIDELBERG WEST, VICTORIA Australia

Picture
Picture
$10 DELIVERY AUSTRALIA WIDE 
Proudly powered by Weebly