Hickory Tool Handles??

[Shakes.602]

Did I Hear, or did I Dream this : Most Outdoor Tool Handles, Shovel,Rake,Post-Hole Diggers, etc. Are Made from Hickory?? Has Anyone ever Made a Bow from a "Bought & Paid For" Garden Tool Handle??  :confused:  
  I came across a Really Cool Site  :rolleyes:  , that Offers 100% Hickory "Fantasy and Specialty Bows". I would like to have a Certain Bow from that site,  BUT  if I can  BUY  a Good Sized Hickory Tool Handle, I  KNOW  I could "Whittle"    , one out for Myself.
    ANY  and  ALL  Help is Greatly Appreciated!!  

[razorback]

Yes they are Hickory and i believe they are mentioned in the Boywers bible I as an option for making bows. No reason not to use them. may need to get 2 handles and join them at the bow handle. Get TBB I and read up on the subject.
Post lots of Pics and even a build-along would be nice.      

[4est trekker]

Razorback's correct.  It's in Volume I of the TBB on page 91 of the "Bow Design and Performance" chapter.  Here is a direct quote:

"If there are no trees in your town, and no hardwood lumberyards, puck up a rake, broom, or hoe handle at the hardware store.  The longer, thicker, and more straight-grained the better.  The larger diameter handles make up to 40 lb bow.  Hickory pick handles [like those picture] can be spliced together to make a first-class, high weight longbow or flatbow."  

Good luck, and post some pictures!

[Shakes.602]

I have all  4  of the Bibles!! I  KNEW  I didnt just Dream that up!!  HA!!    Thanks!!

[Jim now in Kentucky]

But, a lot of the pick, axe, shovel and rake handles are being made of fiberglass these days, or metal or other awful stuff.

Jim

[Mike Mecredy]

I've made some bows from wheel barrow handles.  I basically get a 60" long solid piece, 1 1/2" wide X 2" thick, and pay only $15 for it at ACE.  I've made lams, risers, backed board bows, all for a much less of buying a 1 1/2" X 18" riser block.  Then I have the rounded grip section left over to make rasp handles from!

[JEFF B]

hey brother whats this BS about getting old ya young whipper  snapper