My cousin’s girlfriend (they’re both trades workers) recently brought up that she’d like if I (a woodworker) could make her some handles for her work files, as they’re currently bare metal. At the time, I mentioned I’d probably use maple to make them, since maple tends to be more figured and visually appealing.
However, I picked up three pieces of hickory today for a figurative steal (I got them for $1 each). I know hickory is the gold standard for axe and hammer handles, but would they be a good choice for file handles? I imagine they would hold up better than maple since hickory is harder, and could potentially help with vibrations while using the tools, but if it’s basically a moot point with such a small handle, I’ll just got with what she’d find more aesthetically pleasing.
In hammers, hickory is the best.
A Vaughn ( spelling? ) California Framer, with hickory handle, is THE framing hammer, and I never want to hear about Estwing steel-shaft hammers again.
The shock-absorption in the hickory is wonderful.
( I’ve never worked as a framer, but I have worked a few years as the grunt-guy on construction sites, and have tried many different tools, trying to find the ones that work properly for years )
The only question is whether the springiness of hickory would make it prone to falling-off the file quicker than rock-maple would…
Mind you, humidity expansion/contraction would probably be a factor in that, so maybe sealing the stuff, soaking it in varnish or something?
Anyways, it’s an experiment I’d do, and if the hickory doesn’t work-out, then try rock maple, see?