What Is A Good Wood For Tool Handles?

There are many factors to consider when determining the best wood for tool handles. The ideal wood will have an optimal combination of strength, stiffness, stability, shock resistance, texture, appearance, weather resistance, and cost. The strength and stiffness provide durability and reduce fatigue when using the tool. Stability means the wood holds its shape and does not warp or crack over time. Shock resistance allows the handle to absorb impacts rather than transmit jarring forces to the user’s hands. Texture and appearance influence grip and aesthetic appeal. Weather resistance determines how the wood ages when exposed to sun, moisture, and temperature changes. Cost factors into the practicality of using certain woods. The ideal wood balances all these characteristics to create a comfortable, durable, and attractive tool handle.

Strength

The wood for tool handles needs to have adequate strength to withstand the forces applied during use without breaking. According to the Wood Strength article, a wood’s strength correlates with its density, as measured by specific gravity. In general, dense hardwoods like hickory, ash, and oak have high strength. The Oklahoma State University Fact Sheet provides strength properties for various wood species. For example, hickory has a modulus of rupture over 15,000 psi, indicating excellent strength. The handle must be made from wood with sufficient compression, tension, bending, and shear strengths to withstand applied loads without breaking.

Stiffness

The stiffness of a material refers to its ability to resist deformation under an applied force. For tool handles, stiffness is an important property that prevents the handle from bending significantly when the tool is used. Stiffness is quantified by the modulus of elasticity (MOE), also known as Young’s modulus, which measures the ratio of stress (applied force) to strain (deformation) in a material.

Wood species with a higher MOE will make better tool handles, as they will undergo less deformation when gripped and used. According to the US Forest Product Laboratory, oak species generally have high MOE values between 1.3-1.6 x 106 psi, making them suitable choices for tool handles where stiffness is desired [1]. Hickory species have even higher average MOE values of 1.7-2.0 x 106 psi, making them especially stiff. In contrast, pine species have lower MOE values around 1.0 x 106 psi, so they tend to bend more easily.

Overall, wood species with higher modulus of elasticity values, like oak and hickory, are recommended for tool handles where stiffness and resistance to bending are important characteristics.

Stability

For tool handles, stability is an important consideration. Wood that changes shape or dimensions with fluctuations in moisture content can affect the performance and longevity of tool handles.

According to “Hardwood Dimensional Stability” by Boise https://flooringhardwood.com/hardwood-flooring-resources/hardwood-flooring-dimensional-stability/, wood is most dimensionally stable when its moisture content is above the fiber saturation point. Below this point, wood will shrink and swell as it loses or gains moisture. This shrinking and swelling can warp and crack tool handles over time.

Woods like maple and birch are considered more stable than woods like poplar and pine. Their denser cell structure helps resist warping and shape changes. Selecting naturally stable wood species is key for tool handles that will maintain their form and function over many years of use.

Shock Resistance

A critical characteristic for wood used for impact-prone tool handles is shock resistance, or the ability to absorb impacts without splitting or failing. According to Oklahoma State University Extension, impact bending tests reveal the maximum load wood can withstand during impact before breaking. Hardwoods like hickory, ash, and oak demonstrate high impact bending strength, making them suitable for tool handles where sudden impacts occur.

Some key factors that determine a wood’s shock resistance include density, stiffness, and grain orientation. Denser woods with higher specific gravity (like hickory) tend to better withstand and distribute impact shocks. Stiffer woods are also more resistant to impact deformations. Lastly, wood with straight grain parallel to the impact load shows superior shock resistance compared to cross-grain orientations.

Texture

The texture of wood refers to how the surface feels to the touch. Some woods like oak and ash have a coarse, open grain that feels rough, while others like maple and cherry have a tight, closed grain that is smooth to the touch.

For tool handles, a smooth finish is usually desirable, as it allows for a comfortable grip when holding the tool for extended periods. According to Duffield Timber, open grained woods like oak generally have a more coarse texture compared to closed grained woods like maple.

A tight, closed grain texture prevents splintering and makes for a nice smooth handle. Hard maple is an excellent choice for tool handles given its fine, even texture. Cherry, beech, and birch also have a smooth texture that is comfortable to grip.

Appearance

The visual appeal of a wood can be an important factor when selecting wood for tool handles. Visually attractive woods with interesting grain patterns or rich colors can enhance the overall design and aesthetic of the tool. Many woodworkers prefer to use woods like maple, walnut, oak, ash or cherry for tool handles due to their beauty.

According to Duffield Timber, walnut is appreciated for its “rich, chocolatey-brown coloration” and is considered one of the most beautiful and luxurious woods. Cherry is another stunning wood appreciated for its reddish-brown hue. Curly or fiddleback maple is beloved for its distinctive wavy grain pattern.

The visual appeal of the wood handle can make the tool more of a joy to use and own. Opting for woods with rich, warm hues or attractive figuring can result in a striking handle that showcases the natural beauty of wood.

Weather Resistance

An important property to consider for wood tool handles is the ability to withstand outdoor exposure and moisture over time without rotting or deteriorating. Some of the most weather resistant woods include western red cedar, cypress, redwood, and teak. These woods contain natural oils, resins, and extractives that make them naturally durable and resistant to rot, decay, and insects.

According to research, cypress and redwood in particular have exceptional weather resistance. Cypress contains cypressene oil that acts as a natural preservative, while redwood has tannic acid and phenols that make it resistant to insects, moisture, and rot. Both woods can last over 25 years outdoors without treatmeant. Western red cedar also has natural durability and oils that help repel water.

When selecting wood for tool handles that will face weather exposure, cypress, redwood, cedar, and teak are excellent choices that will hold up well over time without deteriorating. Their natural oils help resist moisture, rotting, and insect damage.

Cost

When selecting a wood for tool handles that need to be mass produced, cost is an important consideration. Generally, domestic hardwoods like oak, maple, hickory and ash will be the most affordable options for mass production (Bell Forest Products). Exotic woods can run 2-3 times the price of domestic hardwoods. For example, oak lumber runs $2-5 per board foot, while exotic woods like ebony can cost $6-12 per board foot (Hearne Hardwoods).

Opting for a domestic hardwood like white oak that costs around $3-5 per board foot can keep production costs lower when making many tool handles (The Woodyard). More expensive exotic woods may not be economical for mass production of tool handles. The affordable pricing and availability of domestic oaks, maples and hickories make them a cost-effective choice for companies needing to produce high volumes of tool handles while keeping costs in check.

Recommendations

When choosing wood for tool handles, it’s important to balance strength, stiffness, stability, shock resistance, texture, appearance, weather resistance, and cost. Based on these factors, some top woods for tool handles include:

Hickory – Hickory is one of the most popular and best all-around woods for tool handles. It has exceptional strength and shock resistance. Hickory rates very high on stiffness and stability as well. It also has an attractive grain pattern. The main downside is that hickory can be more expensive than other woods like ash or maple.[1]

Ash – Ash is another great choice that rivals hickory. It’s almost as strong and stiff, with good shock resistance. Ash handles have a distinctive grain pattern. Ash is also more affordable than hickory in many cases. The primary drawback is that ash is not quite as durable against weathering.[2]

Maple – Hard maple provides an excellent balance of strength, stiffness, stability, and shock absorption. It’s also smooth and comfortable to grip. While not as strong as hickory or ash, maple is less likely to split and very resilient. It can be a great choice for lighter duty tools. Maple is also relatively inexpensive.

Oak – Red or white oak has good strength and shock resistance. Oak rates lower on stiffness, but it’s very stable dimensionally. It can be a bit more porous than other woods though. Oak has an attractive grain and handles weather well.

Beech – Beech is an affordable and durable hardwood. It has decent strength and stiffness with good shock absorption. Beech handles are smooth and comfortable but relatively lightweight. The wood is also fairly moisture and rot resistant.