Handles of Stopped Spindles

There are basically two shapes for handles of stopped spindles:
Cylindrical, and Other.

The cylinders have, in order from the end:
a transitional area,
a length of uniform diameter, and then
a second transitional area.
The location, and the proportion, of each element is characteristic of the maker.

The others have some degree of variation in the diameter over an appreciable distance.

There is a second characteristic, the length of the clear or unthreaded shaft; I distinguish short, medium, and long, compared to the length of the handle. Oddly enough, the non-cylindrical handles seem to go with long clear sections only. These are considered below:

cylindrical, long

Cylindrical Handles with long clear sections, and their Makers
Maker	Example
This Aldrich has a distinctive shoulder, almost a groove, at the transition to the flat end.
Berkey and Gay
Narragansett This is very similar to those by Bliss; a substitution may easily be overlooked.
Ohio Tool
Valley Clamp
This Webster and Butterfield is distinctively slimmer looking, with very gradual transitions from the cylindrical section. The extent of the flat end is greatly reduced in size.

Cylindrical, Medium Clear Section

Cylindrical Handles with medium clear sections, and their Makers
Maker	Example
Bliss companies; a typical example, departures from which may distinguish various makers.

Rayl's

Cylindrical, Short (or No) Clear Section

Cylindrical Handles with short clear sections, and their Makers
Maker	Example
Gothauer Clamp
Grand Rapids Hand Screw
Hood, and Hood and Rice This is distinguished by three lightly incised lines about midway along the handle.
Sargent

Other, Long Clear Section

Other Handles with long clear sections, and their Makers
Maker	Example
Aldrich and Hapgood
Buttrick
This Sandusky has a distinct, though gentle, barrel bulge, and a gentle transition to the flat end.
Stanley

last revised and validated