Handles, cushion grip or Shot filled

[Bob Rotche]

I have both Bosch and Thompson handles and like them both very much. Right now I'm preferring the Bosch as the Thompson is feeling a bit too heavy. Am planning on removing the shot and seeing if that helps.

[Scott Hackler]

I have OneWay, Bosch, McNaughton, Thompson and wooden.

OneWay = very comfortable grip but a tad heavy, but it works well for me to hand hollow.
Bosch = fairly comfortable and weight is decent, the rubber material has the slightest sticky feel to it
McNaughton = strange ribbing on handle which I don't care for the feel, weight is similar to OnWay
Thompson = LOVE the flat sides so that when laying it on the bed ways it doesn't roll. Was heavy until I dumped the shot out! A bit cold to the touch, but I have been meaning to buy a neoprene bicycle grip and see if I can slip it over the end (haven't yet)
Wood = light weight, cheap if you make your own and warm to the touch. I like the shape of my Sorby handles.

I have also demo'd Johannes Michelson's tri-lobed handles and like the feel of them but his are designed to have the steel glued in place.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

I like wood the best also. I don't like to swap out handles as much as possible. Wood is light and nimble, I think. I do have a heavy McNaughton handle which I keep my 5/8" gouge in. I like the hefty handle only when roughing. Other times I prefer the lightness and feel of wood.

[Wally Dickerman]

It's wood handles for me. I like the feel, and the shape is the way I want it. Swapping handles is a nuisance that I can do without. I've added lead shot to the butt of my HD scrapers and enough to get the balance I want in my larger gouges.

I have a couple of glaser gouges with metal handles. I don't care for feel of metal so seldom use them. I guess some of it is what you're used to.

[Richard Jones]

Mostly wood on spindle gouges, skews, etc. Pipe on big gouges, scrapers, covered with radiator hose. Also use some aluminum as well. Have pipe threaders, so no problem there. I tried shot in the pipe handles, but found it very overrated.......

[robert baccus]

I am getting picky in my old age--it is allowed. I prefer longish heavy handles for the balance it gives. Like kyle I also like the feel of wood and for the last decade or so I find good buys on Bubinga, ebony, bow-arc, redheart ect. My fave is lignum vitae or rosewoods. Also I have quit using ferrels by leaving the front of the tool rounded and full. These woods with an epoxied in shaft are easily as strong as a small dia. nose of ash with a ferrel. The feel without the square end and ferrel and sharp edges is very pleasing especially with only a sanded/buffed carnuba finish. Look up the strengths of these tropicals if you wish. A tool has to prove its performance before it is awarded its dress handle.