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Commercially made tool handle

Sam Fleisher

Sam Fleisher

Joined
Dec 29, 2022
Messages
1,251
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Location
USA
I really like Thompson handles mainly because they don't roll when I set them down.

That being said I just placed my last order for some to fill out my needs. Last because I'm tired of not being able to contact Doug by either email or phone with questions. Not even room for voicemail. And I don't feel like chasing him around the country to symposiums.

In the past I've seen a triangular shaped handle but I can't remember the name and it might not even be in production anymore. Is there any being made (not round) out there I haven't found yet?

Yes I know I could make my own but I don't want to. I'd like to just make something without having to make something first if that makes any sense.
 
Sam Fleisher said:
I really like Thompson handles mainly because they don't roll when I set them down.

That being said I just placed my last order for some to fill out my needs. Last because I'm tired of not being able to contact Doug by either email or phone with questions. Not even room for voicemail. And I don't feel like chasing him around the country to symposiums.

In the past I've seen a triangular shaped handle but I can't remember the name and it might not even be in production anymore. Is there any being made (not round) out there I haven't found yet?

Yes I know I could make my own but I don't want to. I'd like to just make something without having to make something first if that makes any sense.
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I’m curious what you need to contact him for, as every order I’ve made from him has been fulfilled smoothly - although it’s been 3-4 years so maybe something’s changed. I was going to order some things from him soon so just wondered if there are issues.
Tom
 
Thomas Wilson said:
I’m curious what you need to contact him for, as every order I’ve made from him has been fulfilled smoothly - although it’s been 3-4 years so maybe something’s changed. I was going to order some things from him soon so just wondered if there are issues.
Tom
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I had a question about a handle. And grinding of a scraper which he had done in the past on a previous purchase .
 
Sam Fleisher said:
I really like Thompson handles mainly because they don't roll when I set them down.

That being said I just placed my last order for some to fill out my needs. Last because I'm tired of not being able to contact Doug by either email or phone with questions. Not even room for voicemail. And I don't feel like chasing him around the country to symposiums.

In the past I've seen a triangular shaped handle but I can't remember the name and it might not even be in production anymore. Is there any being made (not round) out there I haven't found yet?

Yes I know I could make my own but I don't want to. I'd like to just make something without having to make something first if that makes any sense.
Click to expand...
I think these are the triangular handles you're talking about. Hannes Michelsen made them, but he is no longer in business.

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Bill Blasic said:
Doug always answers his phone, he pays no attention to email.
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You must have a special number or I guess I'm on a $^%#$ list or something because he hasn't answered me for a long time and the voicemail is full. No attention to email? It comes back undeliverable. Heck of a way to do business.
 
Are they round? I have a bad habit of sitting tools on the ways and they'll roll.
 
Alan Weinberg said:
Kevin Jesequel makes and sells a great handle for just $50. Don’t know if he ships. He’s often on this site. I was there this past weekend and bought 2–also some of his tools.
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Thanks, Alan. I make handles specifically for my hollowing tools because I could not find any with the length and weight I wanted FOR A 3/8” tool. An 18” solid aluminum bar with PVC braided tubing over the top gave me what I was looking for. I haven’t tried using them for my other tools. I’ve not had issues with my tools rolling off the ways in my handles or any others.
 
Mark Jundanian said:
Do you know if anyone is taking over his product line, particularly the Vector?
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No, not that I'm aware. In November 2024, he was at the Virginia Symposium when I was also a demonstrator. He was already marking some of his stuff down in the Trade Show by 30%. He told me he was doing great, feeling healthy.

I reached out to him in early 2025 because I use his bowl gouges and handles and needed to make a bulk order of steel. My 'spidey sense' was telling me that it was probably the last time I would order from him. Turns out my instinct was right. Near the end of 2025, his website was listing close out sales of whatever was left in his inventory. And his tool website is now gone. He probably would have been willing to sell the rights to his Vector system, being the consummate businessperson. But whether the buyer would be willing to pay the price, we'll never know.
 
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