P & C Hammer Handles

[TimmoTool]

Hi… I picked up a P & C 8624 Ball Peen Hammer at an Estate Sale. The handle is broken. I will clean up the head and replace the handle with a nice piece of hickory.

The Hammer dates to 1953 showing the P&C trademark inside the diamond with the small “r” outside the diamond. The cracked handle is the original handle with the same trademark.

Question: The blue coating on the bottom of the handle is something I am seeing on the P&C handles. WHAT IS IT? I don’t particularly like the appearance and will use linseed oil on entirely of new handle.

Also… with an unfinished handle… Do you finish the portion of the handle under the head that takes the wedge before installing?

Take a look at the shape of opening in head and existing wedge. Is this going to take a regular wedge?

 

[d42jeep]

I would drill out the wood of the broken handle surrounding the wedge so it can be reused. It will make the old handle easier to remove. I finish the handles after installation. I recently installed this used handle on a Plomb head. I’m with you on not bothering with the original Plombpire paint scheme.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Question: The blue coating on the bottom of the handle is something I am seeing on the P&C handles. WHAT IS IT? I don’t particularly like the appearance and will use linseed oil on entirely of new handle.

I believe it is paint. I prefer to leave my handles unfinished, and just wipe down with a mix of BLO, beeswax and turpentine. Ends up less slippery.

Also… with an unfinished handle… Do you finish the portion of the handle under the head that takes the wedge before installing?

I only do the visible portion.

Take a look at the shape of opening in head and existing wedge. Is this going to take a regular wedge?

A regular wedge should work, gut that one was probably easier to drive by a machine

 

[TimmoTool]

Thank You…

The “paint” on the bottom of handle is OEM Factory… It sure takes away from natural beauty of a Hickory Handle.

I wonder what P&C thought they were gaining?

 

[RTM]

Thank You…

The “paint” on the bottom of handle is OEM Factory… It sure takes away from natural beauty of a Hickory Handle.

I wonder what P&C thought they were gaining?

They and Proto / Plomb did the same thing, painting the end of the handle. Market differentiation I guess. I grab any two tone handle I see, back when people cared about quality?

 

[TimmoTool]

Yah… Despite the visual of the paint, it would be great to find some New Old Stock P & C handles.

Outside of such a stroke of luck, WHERE is the best place to get a quality Hickory Hammer handle?

 

[jabberwoki]

Try house handles . They make beautiful stuff right here in the good ol USA