Recommendations for standard grades for hickory striking tool handles 

 are given on page 9, Hickory Task Force Report No. 6, and are reproduced 

 again in the Appendix. 



Hickory Striking Tool Handles 



The grading of handles is based upon visual inspection of each handle 

 and on the judgment of the grader. It is not expected that the grader will 

 determine the weight per cubic foot or number of rings per inch for each 

 handle. In case of questions, however, one or both of these characteristics 

 may be measured for conformance with the requirements given each grade. 



Handles are manufactured from all commercial species of hickory. 

 Weights are based upon a moisture content not exceeding 12 percent. 



Blemishes . --These include small streaks- -threadlike discolorations 

 extending not more than one- third the length of the handle; medium streaks- - 

 discolorations extending more than one- third the length of the handle, but 

 not over l/32 inch in width; mismanufacture which does not impair the ser- 

 viceability; and light stain- -slight difference in color which will not seriously 

 impair the appearance of the handle. 



Defects. --These include knots; birdpecks; splits; holes; decay; stain; 

 crossgrain-- deviation of the fiber out of parallel with the axis of the handle 

 in excess of 1 in 20; abrupt dip grain- -deviation of the fiber out of parallel 

 with the axis of the handle in excess of one- eighth the minimum diameter of 

 the handle at the point where the dip grain occurs; slight dip grain- -deviation 

 of the fiber out of parallel with the axis of the handle point where the dip 

 grain occurs; heavy stain- -discoloration of the wood occurring in specks, 

 spots, streaks, or patches of varying intensities of color (generally bluish- 

 black); and large streaks- -discolorations more than 1/32 inch in width. 



Hickory for Skis 



Some producers in the Tennessee Valley have quoted specifications for 

 ski blanks. Although varying in certain details, these specifications generally 

 call for clear, straight- grained white hickory of the highest grade. The No. 2 

 grade is also clear but may be red on one side; No. 3 is clear but can be all 

 red. The size (green) is typically li inches by 4j inches by 7 to 8 feet, with 

 2 or 3 inches of extra length allowed for trimming. 



Wood to be used in laminated skis is described in specifications of the 

 U. S. Department of Defense (1_0). For top and bottom sections the wood 

 shall be true hickory (bigleaf shagbark, mockernut, pignut, or shellbark), 

 weighing not less than 48 pounds per cubic foot at 12 percent moisture con- 

 tent. It must be clear and free of decay, splits, check, honeycomb, shakes, 

 knots, holes and bark pockets, crossbreaks, case hardening, compression 

 wood, brashness, doze, or any other defects affecting serviceability. Mineral 

 streaks not more than one- eighth inch wide and not more than 12 inches long 

 will be permitted. Slope of grain shall not exceed 1 in 15 on any face. 



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