Let's Get A Handle On This.

IMO, there is nothing wrong with a well-designed plastic handle as far as function is concerned. But, in most cases, plastic handles just aren’t as sexy as wood. (That smoother you posted being an obvious exception.)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and never wanted anything plastic. I guess I am just a true wood lover. Plastic if ok if it is what you personally like but it is not for me.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

If it’s truly a tool we’re talking about—not an object that draws attention to itself—I would think that in general it’s function that trumps whatever material is in question.

If we’re being busy talking about what kind of material is in a handle, we’re not doing much about elevating the tool to its highest and best use: altering wood.

Guilty as charged. My thread about chisel handles recently. Yep, that was me. I’m looking in the mirror, yes I am.

I need to get a lower wattage bulb in this room. Much lower.

Kindly,

Lee

-- "...in his brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd with observation, the which he vents in mangled forms." --Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

Wood for me if I have a choice, but it has to be shaped nicely too. Don’t give me a blocky saw handle…

...and expect me to like it, because I’ll be reaching for the rasp…

Having said that though, I do use Irwin chisels with plastic handles and it doesn’t bother me in use. I’d rather have a set of LN chisels though.

-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.

i prefer wood. tools, rifle stocks, and house siding. It needs to be wood on my stuff.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)

^I actually don’t like the look of the polymer. Even on a Holtey. Nothing beats a well worn rosewood. Personal preference, like everything.
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Edit: and tin roofs, Don:)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Some wood handles are just ugly

and when i find one I don’t like, well they be history

Even some handplanes have some ugly stuff

But, we can also fix that problem

-- A Planer? I'M the planer, this is what I use

Andy
I’m with you all the way on that one, you know I am. You’ll probably not believe me when I say it was that blog entry above that I had just been re-reading before I wrote this! (Lovely lambs tongue BTW)
What prompted me was (I think) that plastics were “The” material when we were younger? But it seems to have gone full circle now cos I would prefer wood- like the man said- Nothing beats a well worn rosewood”
Lee
You are perfectly correct. I prefer to believe that Form follows Function” after that it is personal choice and aesthetics I suppose.

-- Gossamer shavings just floating around the back yard….-Bandit