Solid Wood Products 



2587 



and sledge handle blanks, but the other grades vary some. Lehman (1958) listed 

 the following specifications as typical for striking tool handles: 



• Extra: Must be all white, heavy timber, free from all defects, perfect, full 

 size, and straight grain. 



• No. 1: Must be good weight timber, V^ red wood permitted the entire 

 length of the blank. All white blanks of good weight not sufficiently 

 heavy for extra grade. Two light hair streaks running full length, or their 

 equivalent in shorter streaks permitted. Must be full size, straight grained 

 and free from defects. 



• No. 2: Must be fair weight timber permitting red, white, or mixed red and 

 white wood (for axe handle blanks not more than 2/3 red permitted). 

 Light streaks permitted. All white blanks can have not more than three 

 small pin knots not to exceed '/s-inch in diameter. Reasonably straight 

 grain required. 



• No. 3: Includes blanks that will produce serviceable handles but are not 

 admissable to the higher grades because of defects. 



• Reject: Blanks containing open knots greater than Vs-inch in diameter, 

 worm holes or windshake, or ones that are brashy and not admissable to 

 any grade. 



Figure 22-12.— Sanding hickory tool handles. (Photo from Tennessee Valley Authority.) 



