Better Tool Handles For Better Work

As many of you know, the last couple years have brought some physical problems to the fore that stop me from doing my best work. The soreness, chronic pain and loss of mobility have been a big challenge, but I am determined to keep going in a new way. One of the best tactics for me is to re-think the shape and size of my tool handles.
I have noticed that when I use a tool with a small handle, my hands have to squeeze down to a smaller shape, which causes extra pain and fatigue. Even if I only have to use that tool for a moment, it adds up over time. I am working on some blog posts for a woodworking magazine on the subject, so I thought I would share a little of my work here.

This knife was given to me by Dan Petrzelka, a luthier and designer, many years ago. It is a marking knife, with a single bevel, which I use to layout cuts in wood. (It is more accurate to use a knife than a pencil, fyi.) It similar to the type of knives sold as “violin maker’s knives,” which can be single or double bevel. I don’t know what type of steel it is, but it has always kept a good edge. In fact, I have never ground a new bevel on it, I have just honed it as is. It came with this wax cotton wrapped handle, which was fine, but I am ready to make a larger handle that is easier for me to grab. For inspiration, I looked to some NW coast native knives that I have with a tapered handle.