Why Is Boxwood Used For Tool Handles?
Boxwood has been the preferred wood for tool handles for hundreds of years. Its unique properties like strength, rot resistance, stability, and workability make it an ideal material for crafting durable and attractive tool handles that can withstand generations of use.
The dense, tight grain of boxwood allows it to be shaped into ergonomic handles that won’t loosen or crack over time. Boxwood’s smooth texture also provides a comfortable grip. While many modern materials have been used for tool handles, few match the beauty, durability, and timeless quality of richly-grained boxwood.
Density and Strength
Boxwood is an extremely dense wood with a specific gravity of 0.96 – 1.04, making it one of the heaviest and hardest domestic woods (1). The high density of boxwood gives it tremendous strength properties, with a crushing strength of over 10,000 psi, allowing it to withstand high impacts without damage (2). Boxwood’s density also provides substantial weight, making it an ideal wood for tool handles, mallets, and other applications where heft is desirable.
In summary, boxwood’s remarkable density imparts great strength, hardness, and weight capacity that suit it well for heavy-use tools and striking implements.
Stability
Boxwood is highly valued for its stability and resistance to splitting or cracking, making it an ideal wood for tool handles and other objects that need to withstand stress. According to The Wood Database, boxwood has excellent dimensional stability with very little movement in performance. This stability comes from boxwood’s dense grain structure which helps it resist shrinkage and swelling.
As Heronswood Garden notes, boxwood’s fine texture allows it to be trimmed and shaped without splintering or cracking. Even small diameter branches and roots remain sturdy and dense. This gives boxwood an advantage over other woods that may warp, twist, or crack when shaped. Boxwood’s stability also makes it suitable for intricate carving and turning work.
Workability
One of the key reasons boxwood is an ideal wood for tool handles is that it is easy to work with and shape into handles (The Wood Database – Boxwood). While boxwood can be difficult to work with in flat dimensions, it is superbly suited for turning and carving applications like tool handles where intricate shaping is required. The wood turns well on lathes and machines cleanly without tear-out. It also carves nicely by hand without splintering. These properties make boxwood an excellent choice for crafting and contouring tool handles that fit comfortably in the hand.
The fine, even texture of boxwood also contributes to its ease of working. The wood can be smoothly sanded and polished to create comfortable, ergonomic tool handles. Additionally, boxwood takes finishes very well. The end result is tool handles that not only look attractive but also feel great to grip and use.
Appearance
Boxwood is valued for its attractive blonde to light brown color that adds visual interest and warmth to tool handles and other wood products. The heartwood tends to be a tan or light brown, while the narrow sapwood is a pale yellow. Freshly cut and sanded boxwood has a rich golden color that darkens and mellows over time with exposure to light. According to the University of Florida, boxwood has a “smooth, straight grain” that gives it an appealing uniform look.[1] The fine, even texture and blonde coloring make boxwood stand out from darker-colored dense woods like ebony that are also used for tool handles.
[1] https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP080
Texture
One of the key properties that makes boxwood ideal for tool handles is its fine, even texture that feels good in the hand (1). The wood has a smooth, tight grain that gives it a uniform appearance and tactile feel. When sanded and finished, boxwood develops a silky, velvety texture that is both visually appealing and comfortable to grip (2). Unlike woods with more open pores or irregular grain patterns, boxwood’s tight grain doesn’t splinter or catch on the skin. This uniform smoothness allows for a secure, ergonomic grip.
The smoothness and silkiness of boxwood translates to good wear over time. As a dense wood, it resists dents and maintains its refined texture despite heavy use and handling. While other woods may degrade and become rough or porous with use, boxwood retains its fine, consistent grain. This reliability makes it suitable for high-quality tools meant for continuous daily use.
Sources:
(1) https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/boxwood-texture
(2) https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=boxwood%20texture
Rot Resistance
Boxwood has excellent natural rot resistance due to its dense cell structure and natural oils. The heartwood of boxwood is rated as very resistant to decay and can last over 25 years in exposed exterior applications according to the Wood Database (Hardwood).
This makes it an ideal wood for tool handles and other outdoor uses where rotting is a concern. The oils in boxwood contain antioxidants that help protect the wood. Boxwood’s tight grain and density also make it more difficult for fungi and moisture to penetrate compared to more porous woods. Overall, boxwood is one of the most rot-resistant domestic hardwood species commonly available.
Affordability
Boxwood is relatively affordable compared to other dense hardwoods like oak or maple. According to The Home Depot, boxwood bushes cost $20-50 depending on the size, which is cheaper than other hardwood plants. The affordability of boxwood makes it a budget-friendly choice for tool handles and other applications where strength is needed but cost is a concern.
Availability
Boxwood is widely available at most garden centers and home improvement stores due to its popularity as an ornamental shrub for hedges and topiaries. The sources below show that major retailers like Home Depot and Lowes stock many varieties of boxwood:
Boxwood – Bushes – Outdoor Plants
In addition to being commonly available at nurseries and stores, boxwood can also be easily purchased online and shipped. The wide availability of boxwood makes it a convenient choice for tool handles and other woodworking projects.
Conclusion
In summary, boxwood has several key properties that make it an ideal wood for tool handles. Its high density lends it great strength and durability. Boxwood is also quite stable, meaning it resists warping and cracking. This is essential for maintaining the integrity of tool handles over time.
Boxwood machines well and is easy to work into the shapes required for tool handles like axes, hammers, and shovels. It has an attractive light color and smooth texture that many woodworkers prefer aesthetically. Additionally, boxwood naturally resists rot and decay thanks to its high oil content.
While not the cheapest wood available, boxwood is reasonably affordable and accessible for most applications. It can be sustainably harvested and sourced from managed supplies. When all of these factors are considered together, it becomes clear why boxwood has been the choice wood for tool handles for hundreds of years.
