File handles deserve respect, too!

[Beerhippie]

The humble file handle--it's always there when you need it.

Here are a few I've accumulated over the years. These are all vintage, just some are of a more recent vintage:

Lutz File & Tool Co. long-ferrule:



Lutz seems to dominate the industry still. Best I can tell, they began in Cincinnati, OH in 1904. They seem to be a tool giant today having bought up Miller Falls, Gorilla Glue and others. Strangely, the one tool I can't find them having made is a file!

These are unmarked, but seem likely to be Lutz F&T short-ferrule:



Unbranded but nicely made wire-wrap ferrules:



A Skroo-Zon (now owned by Lutz F&T, but this one seems to pre-date that) and a General (not, apparently, owned by Lutz (but I could be wrong)):



Guess how the Skroo-Zon handle attaches to the tang?



The General is the only mechanical handle I own, with the file retained by a clamp tightened with the knurled ring at the base of the handle. The profile of the clamp jaws allow them to hold various shapes of file tang:



One more, just for variety:





Today, K&R Eng. Co is an aerospace corporation and File-Eze is a dental lubricant for root canals.

I like this handle for flat-filing and for sharpening heavy blades, where it keeps my hand out of line with the edge.

Let's see any cool old file handles you all have sitting around unloved!

 

[d42jeep]

Good idea for a thread. I pulled some out of storage for some photos.
In their storage drawers.
Here they are. The Lauber file handles
Skroo-zon
Shur-grip
Handles on some files
Handles on files too big to fit in the drawer
1-1/4” GMTK spec file handles 41-H-1116
1” GMTK spec file handles 41-H-1117
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

Nice variety there, Don! The cast-lead? tin? Laubers are interesting. I wonder how well that works. I guess, seeing as they aren't split yet, not badly.

Great. Another rabbit hole to chase down... fortunately, file handles are damned near free at most places I go--or were 'til I brought them up here

 

[d42jeep]

I think I remember seeing some Lauber style handles used by Snap-on. Snapmom will know if she sees this thread.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The humble file and tool handle

They were used for other shanks, such as Babbitt scrapers, scribes, etc.

The cast-lead? tin? Laubers are interesting.

Non-ferrous. (EDIT: Not magnetic.)

I guess, seeing as they aren't split yet, not badly.

They will split...., though I suspect it would take some brute force not typically associated with a use case for a tool and file handle this size.

I think I remember seeing some Lauber style handles used by Snap-on.

Your memory is not completely shot yet. For very early screwdrivers and 9/32-inch drive midget spinner handles, branded THE GRIPPER, instead. My revelation of The Lauber Co as their supplier starts here and ends here.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lutz was like the Borg, for sure, as you aptly described, also the most commonly found, in my experience, but they were the least interesting and effective in design, in my opinion. As far as I can tell, just a ferrule to prevent the wood from splitting. Then again, tool and file handles eventually became disposable items, cheaply replaced, and that kind of design became good enough.

The Disston "Stronghold" is my favorite. That coil spring around a split end was ingenious and very similar in principle to Peterson's famous and ubiquitous lumber crayon holder design, as we discussed here. It was not a Disston-assigned patent, so I suspect they licensed it or bought out their fellow Philadelphian, Mr. Schenck.





Excuse my pic from the Photofucket fiasco era, but some of my current examples (which can be seen in an older group shot attached below) are later production (and have no patent number) and this example is in a GMTK I assembled and sold a long time ago.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Cutaway view of how the Paker-Kalon Shur-Grip works...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...and a General (not, apparently, owned by Lutz (but I could be wrong)):

As far as I know, they escaped their voracious grasp. General also supplied Sears, Roebuck, & Co. in the late 40's early 50's.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Also used for ice picks and knife steels....

 

[twertsy]

Some quick research notes on Lutz:
Founded by George A. Lutz - Note: His obituary (4/11/1937 - passed at 59) says he founded his company at the age of 20 in 1899.
In April of 1903, I find him running Lutz File & Rasp Works of Cincinnati. The same article says he purchased Vulcan File Works of Dayton.
In May of 1903 I also find him as a partner in the Lutz-Kane File Co. of Cincinnati, dissolved in 10/1903
By 1904 his company is referred to as Lutz File Company up until approximately 1930, when references change to Lutz File & Tool Co.
Interestingly, I found multiple announcements in 1906 Lutz being acquired by the Western Tool & Mfg. Co. There are also tons of adverts for Western selling "Lutz Tool Handles." Not sure what to make of that?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Some quick research notes...

Dude! Of all the threads and topics that might entice you out of semi-retirement and reclusiveness, Lutz tool and file handles is not the one I would have guessed! Good to see you here, old friend.

(Off topic, the whole 'Circle-H for Husky made in Wisconsin' thing has popped up a few times, but I couldn't find your notes here or from the old TA about the acquisition and physical move to do any serious mythbusting. If you still have the evidence, dust it off and PM me, please.)

 

[Beerhippie]

Also used for ice picks and knife steels....

Among other things made by Lutz F&T.

 

[Beerhippie]

Some quick research notes on Lutz:
Founded by George A. Lutz - Note: His obituary (4/11/1937 - passed at 59) says he founded his company at the age of 20 in 1899.
In April of 1903, I find him running Lutz File & Rasp Works of Cincinnati. The same article says he purchased Vulcan File Works of Dayton.
In May of 1903 I also find him as a partner in the Lutz-Kane File Co. of Cincinnati, dissolved in 10/1903
By 1904 his company is referred to as Lutz File Company up until approximately 1930, when references change to Lutz File & Tool Co.
Interestingly, I found multiple announcements in 1906 Lutz being acquired by the Western Tool & Mfg. Co. There are also tons of adverts for Western selling "Lutz Tool Handles." Not sure what to make of that?

Hmm.. the one brief source I found indicated that Lutz F&T bought Western T&M.

Pulling and terminating ethernet cable today, so not much time to search.

 

[d42jeep]

A few files with miscellaneous handles at my summer home. I prefer the Shur-grip and General handles as users
Drawers side by side

-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

I'll be keeping my eyes out for the Shur-Grip and Distons now!

 

[Provincial]

Another Shur-Grip fan. They are hard on tangs, but stay attached.

 

[ararat]

Homemade. One kinda octagon that came with the file. Two failed chisel handles diverted to file duty.

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve made an effort to find unique handles for my WW2 sets. My GMTK has a pair of Heller handles with the horse logo.
My MVMTS has a very cool hand carved handle.

The Plomb based set has a similar looking batch of non Lutz handles.
-Don

 

[leg17]

Just checking in from the other side of the tracks.

 

[Beerhippie]

^ Very cool! I've never seem any like that.

 

[pb014]

Yes! Yes!

 

[crguy]

Just checking in from the other side of the tracks.

That style has some real character. hard to get excited about any of the wood ones.

 

[d42jeep]

I found another drawer of file handles in my Waterloo box. They were mostly Shur-grip and Skroo-zon with a couple unmarked examples.
Put all my spares of the thread cutting handles together in a brief organizing effort.
Shur-grip
Unbranded
Skroo-zon
General and Craftsman in use
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Nicholson factory handles
A batch of abused handles, some I’ll keep for re-use.
Cast iron handles I’ve found over the years
Just took this picture of the two together.
-Don

 

[ecotec]

Just checking in from the other side of the tracks.

I live on the “right side of the tracks” for finding tools. I live in a very industrial area of a very industrial state… and I never find these. I have one after years of looking.

I usually find Lutz, Skroo-Zon, and Grobet.

I have a pretty big box of file handles. I like to have one on the vast majority of my files. I also find NOS/lightly used half round ******* files to give to apprentices. I put handles not marked USA or ones marked Grobet ITALY on files that I give away.

You can see the one cast handle that I have found in my picture.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Just checking in from the other side of the tracks.

The cast iron ones are top tier. I have 4 of them and Ive found them all in the least likely of places. Even found one half buried in the dirt inside a shed and only recognized it from the pattern.

That File-Eze is definitely unique and looks like its original intent was for body work?

 

[Beerhippie]

The cast iron ones are top tier. I have 4 of them and Ive found them all in the least likely of places. Even found one half buried in the dirt inside a shed and only recognized it from the pattern.

That File-Eze is definitely unique and looks like its original intent was for body work?

I don't know. With the way it attaches to the tang, you can't use if for a large, flat surface. Most of the auto-body handles I've seen clamp to the edges of the file so nothing sticks out underneath.

My search-fu is not of the strongest anymore, but I was unable to find anything credible linked to the File-Eze name or the manufacturer.

 

[d42jeep]

It seems like handles that hold Vixen files deserve a mention in this thread.
Plomb
Craftsman Crown
Nicholson
A Vixen file.
-Don

 

[Leviton]

The humble file handle--it's always there when you need it.

One more, just for variety:





Today, K&R Eng. Co is an aerospace corporation and File-Eze is a dental lubricant for root canals.

I like this handle for flat-filing and for sharpening heavy blades, where it keeps my hand out of line with the edge.

Dang you @Beerhippie ! Now that I've seen that, I have to find one of those.
I spent just a few minutes searching online, and, like you, I came up with nothing useful.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Now that I've seen that, I have to find one of those.

It's very stylish. Parabolic. The Gateway Arch of file handles.

 

[MisterEd]

Seems like a good place to repost this handle; Function and Form.

 

[ray h]

Seems like a good place to repost this handle; Function and Form.

Ed I really like those file handles. When shaping stocks with 10" files and rasps they balance the tool very well. Other than these I like the Lutz for everything else.

 

[Beerhippie]

I found a cast-iron handle! I didn't even know these existed until they showed up here and now I have (most of) one!



Anyone have a good picture of the clamping bit mine's missing? I'm hoping I can fab something functional.

 

[Beerhippie]

Damn. Looking closer, the front end of the handle that retains the clamp is broken off. I think this just became a pull for an overhead light switch.

 

[nadogail]

I make my own from short lengths of Repurposed Closet Pole.

 

[Leviton]

It's very stylish. Parabolic. The Gateway Arch of file handles.

Lugz, every time I scroll past your picture, it bugs me. (It's like walking past a jigsaw puzzle with only a few pieces left to finish.)

- There. Now I feel better.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, every time I scroll past your picture, it bugs me. (It's like walking past a jigsaw puzzle with only a few pieces left to finish.)

HAHA! Well done!

 

[slowtwitch73]

Just picked up this little Millers Falls file handle at the re store. Never seen one before...

 

[fishwatcher]

I have a several Nicholson USA made files without handles. I assume these are decent to good quality? One is a True Value file.

I’ll keep an eye out for “vintage” handles on various marketplaces, but I don’t have a lot of hope that I’ll find any in my area. Nicholson and Lutz brand handles sell for between $5-9 each on Amazon and at the local hardware stores.

What about those you can buy on Amazon, 10 for $14 or less? Will they just be terrible? Or not last very long? Where else can I buy good handles at the lowest price? Harry Epstein.com sells them for a couple of bucks each, but shipping is $15.

Thanks!

 

[RTM]

Where else can I buy good handles at the lowest price?

Try house handle.

Welcome to House Handle Company

Buy lots of other handles while you are there, helps with the shipping.