Skew Handle

My lovely wife gave me an Alan Lacer skew chisel for Christmas. I asked for the unhandled version since I enjoy making the handles myself. I had asked for the large 1 3/8” skew, but it’s really a monster of a tool. The shaft is 1/2” x 3/4”. I’ve made lots of handles for turning tools, but they have all been for gouges or hollowing tools with cylinderical shafts. All I had to do was drill a hole and secure the shaft to the handle with epoxy. This was a bit different. I thought about several methods to mortise the handle but my pal Corey Anderson, woodturning guru and current president of the Central Connecticut Woodturners, knew the “best way.” I bet all of you LJ’s know what he told me. I took lots of pics and I’ll explain the method in a blog.

The handle is quarter sawn white oak with a 1” brass ferule. It’s about 16” long and about 1 1/4” at its thickest diameter. It’s currently unfinished, but will get several coats of Waterlox Original.

Cheers,

-- Glen