BS 3823:1990

Committees responsible
Foreword
Specification
Section one. General
1 Scope
2 Definitions
3 General
Section two. Grading
4 Ash non-striking tool handles
5 Ash striking tool handles up to and including 425 mm
   in length
6 Ash striking tool handles greater than 425 mm in
   length
7 Hickory striking tool handles up to and including
   1050 mm in length
8 Marking
9 Moisture content
Appendices
A Determination of slope of grain
b Recommendations for storing wood handles
Tables
1 Sloping grain deviations for handles of 450 mm to
   1050 mm in length
2 Sloping grain deviations for handles above 1050 mm in
   length
3 Permissible blemishes in ash non-striking tool
   handles
4 Permissible blemishes in ash striking tool handles up
   to and including 425 mm
5 Permissible blemishes in hickory striking tool
   handles up to and including 1050 mm
Figures
1 Illustration of wavy grain: half size
2 Illustration of curly grain: full size
3 Swivel-handled scribe for determination of slope of
   grain in wood
4 Use of scribe
5 Measurement of slope of grain

Criteria for the grading of the quality of timber.

This British Standard specifies criteria for use in grading handles intended for fitting to general purpose hand tools including agricultural and striking tools.

The scope covers only unbleached handles manufactured from natural ash (Fraxinus excelsior and Fraxinus americana) and from any of the four true species of hickory as follows:

• shagbark hickory (Carya ovata);
• shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa);
• pignut hickory (Carya glabra);
• mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa).

The standard specifies the requirements for freedom from defects and the permissible blemishes which are tolerable in respect of the various grades of handles.

A method for determining the grain slope and recommendations for storing wood handles are given in the appendices.

NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are given on the inside back cover.