hand forged "perfect handle" screwdriver

[Allen Jordan]

I forged this so-called "perfect handle" screwdriver for a tool swap on lumberjocks. I'm just starting to learn some blacksmithing to augment my woodworking, so it's not super clean but I'm proud of it.

The blade is O1 steel that started as 3/4" diameter drill rod. I heat treated it myself in the forge and my kitchen oven. The scales are dyed maple burl. Finished with BLO and renaissance wax.

http://i.imgur.com/1bCKpK1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/p6FQMIN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NCyU78s.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wnX0xsw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Wg3XPZC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1ZL3D4j.jpg

[Mike Cherry]

That's impressive sir! Sign me up for an O1 double bevel carving chisel 😁

[Brian Holcombe]

Cool! Very nice work. What is the history behind the name?

[Frederick Skelly]

That's some nice work Allen!

Tell us more about your forge.

Fred

[William Adams]

Both Lee Valley and Garrett Wade sell variations on it (LV also does chisels).

Apparently the design was named thus back when they were first designed: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screwdriver#/media/File%3AScrewdrivers_WPC.jpg

[Tony Zaffuto]

Very, very nice!

[george wilson]

A nice screw driver. Where did you get the cool initial stamps? Looks like some of the antique stamps I have collected over the years.

You will possibly notice that the true "perfect handle" tools have angular "walls" at each end of the wooden area and are forged deeper for the wooden inlets. This would be quite difficult for you to do with limited tools at home. You could file the deeper areas out,but that would take forever. A belt grinder would be better. No doubt they have formed dies to do this. But,this "inletting" helps keep the wood from slipping,and allows the user to hammer on the end of the screwdriver since the steel is thicker there where it "steps out". I hope this is clear. As it is my first post of the day.:)

[Kees Heiden]

Great! Well done!

[Mike Cherry]

That's some nice work Allen!

Tell us more about your forge.

Fred
I would also like to learn more about your forge.

[Stew Denton]

Really nice Allen.

Stew

[Rob Luter]

Nice. When I was a boy my Grandfather had a handful of those in his tool box. I remember liking the design even back then. That may have been when I developed my affinity for hand tools.

[Allen Jordan]

Thanks Fred. It's a Chile Habanero forge I bought... you can build them, but I left it to the professionals when it comes to firey things near my wood shop.

[Allen Jordan]

A nice screw driver. Where did you get the cool initial stamps? Looks like some of the antique stamps I have collected over the years.

You will possibly notice that the true "perfect handle" tools have angular "walls" at each end of the wooden area and are forged deeper for the wooden inlets. This would be quite difficult for you to do with limited tools at home. You could file the deeper areas out,but that would take forever. A belt grinder would be better. No doubt they have formed dies to do this. But,this "inletting" helps keep the wood from slipping,and allows the user to hammer on the end of the screwdriver since the steel is thicker there where it "steps out". I hope this is clear. As it is my first post of the day.:)

I used salt water electrolysis etching to get the logos on there. Unfortuantely my toner transfer came out poorly, so they aren't perfect (my old laser printer is dying).

I decided not to do the deeper lip to keep it simpler to make. There is still about 1/2" thick steel at the end if someone needs to hammer on it (god forbid).