New handles for old tools

Pipe down with those double entendres, thank you...

I've got a vintage Staffordshire billhook and a sickle which both need new handles. Can anyone recommend someone who does this?

 

I found this site: Other | Richard Carter but not sure if they fit them, think they only provide the new handles. Good luck, in the meantime I'll keep googling for you!

 

Thanks Petals. Like you, I found places selling handles, but not that'd fit them. Both tools have the ends of the tang peened over, so it's not just a straight "welly it in and job done" situation.

 

Ive been looking at putting a new handle on an old billhook too - Im thinking I can straighten the tang with careful use of the blowtorch & hammer then heat it up again & wack a new handle on then bend it back ; how difficult can it be :-)

 

I posted a pic of the billhook in the other thread - here it is again.

 

@Graham B does it matter if you can buy second hand ones and adjust them yourself?

 

Replacement handles you can buy also.

Bulldog Replacement Tool Handles

Billhooks for sale in UK | 60 second-hand Billhooks​

 

@Gail_68 If I knew I could fit it myself without buggering up a nice bit of vintage cutlery, then sure. If it was a simple push-fit, then no worries. I'm not sure what to do with something with a button at the end though.

 

@Graham B
I think you will have to straighten out the tangs to fit the new handle. Then after the handle has been fitted peen over.

 

Graham what about the advice Nigel as given you

 

Thanks @NigelJ. I'm not a metalwork expert though, so I suspect the buggering-it-up odds are not in my favour! My worry is breaking the tang so I can't do anything with it - I've done that once with a metal file just by dropping it wrong on the driveway - so I think messing about with this without knowing what I'm doing is likely to result in me killing my tools. I'd rather give someone a few quid and know I'll get things back in working order.

 

@Graham B
Perhaps find a local black smith and get him to straighten out after you have removed the old handle.

 

I agree with @NigelJ - replacing a tool-handle was traditionally a blacksmith's job, and in the countryside at least I bet there are a few at least who would still do this for you. Another option might be to ask someone who specialises in servicing lawnmowers, sharpening knives, etc. if you have such a person locally.

 

Very few, even in the countryside "it's buy new"

I will have a go at puting handles in my tools as i'm heavy handed, i break'm i repair'm

Old crafts are dieing out but there are some people that will put in new handles but the hardist thing is finding someone, you never know it could be your neighbour

 

Jiffy this Auction site sells many Billhook tools as they're still around.

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