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Chapter 22 



Figure 22-11. — Hickory bolts in yard of a handle factory. (Photo from Lehman 1958. 



Table 22-7 — Typical grades and specifications for hickory handle bolts (Herrick 1958) 



Statistics Description 



Species accepted Shagbark, niockernut, and pignut; bitternut hickory 



not accepted 



Minimum top diameter inside bark 7 or 8 inches; varies with company 



Length 38, 40, or 42 inches; varies with company 



Grade No. 1 (or A) Strictly clear bolts with at least 3 inches (or 3'/2, or 4 



inches depending upon the company) of white wood 



(sapwood) on the small end of the block 

 Grade No. 2 (or B) Generally clear bolts with less than the depth of white 



wood required of Grade No. 1 

 Grade 3 (or C) Red blocks with less than 2 inches of white wood, or 



reasonably clear blocks but permitting small defects 



such as slight pecks and streaks. Light weight may 



place bolts in this grade. 



TYPES OF HANDLES 



Striking tools. — Striking tool handles include those for axes, adzes, picks, 

 mattocks, mauls, sledges, hammers, and hatchets; all are made almost exclu- 

 sively of hickory. Blanks for striking tool handles are generally graded Extra, 

 No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3. The Extra and No. 1 grades are the same for axe, pick, 



