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I started posting this on another thread where someone was asking about the handle on the DHS 301 v the Fang Bo 2. But I got a bit carried away, so thought I should start a separate thread. This is very simple, but could get very complicated.
Just for interest:
Most of my blades have flared handles. I have 2 x H301s, 1 x FB2 and 1 x PG5.
The FB2 has a handle (measured from the bottom) of 35mmx23mm.
The 301s are very similar in width (maybe 34 -35), but about 25 -26mm in depth.
The PG5 is 34x25.
I prefer the depth to be greater than the 23mm FB2, but I suspect that they may vary across examples. The actual playing parts seem to be identical between the 2 H301s, which is quite impressive as I bought them from different sources at different times. The FB2 and the PG5 seem to have identical plies as well; although they have limba rather than the koto faces on the H301s, the thicknesses of all corresponding plies are very similar. Please allow a .5mm error factor, as I am just using a simple retractable measure. I fitted grip tape on the FB2 to improve the feel (personal preference), so it is hard to measure with anything more accurate.
Of course, can't stop at one, so measured the HL3, which is my favourite handle, at 35x27.
BTY Primorac 34x24.
Stiga AC Master 34x26,
Stiga Maplewood NCT VII 30x25. This last feels fine to me, so the width is, to me, much less important.
The Stiga Legend on my antique is 35x25, but much more square, and I like that too.
Cluttering up the whole thing is variation in taper towards the wings, in both planes. Most of the handles curve in, but the NCT VII has straighter sides, which may account for its ok feel, although the finish especially around the lens is bad, necessitating tape. Obviously the feel in the hand of the blades may be influenced by weight, and relative balance as well. Most of my DHS blades have similar naked weights, 90g +/- 1g. The weight with rubbers varies by about 5g. But to me, it appears that the handle size and shape is at least as important.
I may need to try all of these with a digital vernier caliper, so that I can accurately measure the handles where the thumb and forefinger sit, which may have a lot of correspondence with my preferences. And then I do have some ST handles and at least one AN...
Just for interest:
Most of my blades have flared handles. I have 2 x H301s, 1 x FB2 and 1 x PG5.
The FB2 has a handle (measured from the bottom) of 35mmx23mm.
The 301s are very similar in width (maybe 34 -35), but about 25 -26mm in depth.
The PG5 is 34x25.
I prefer the depth to be greater than the 23mm FB2, but I suspect that they may vary across examples. The actual playing parts seem to be identical between the 2 H301s, which is quite impressive as I bought them from different sources at different times. The FB2 and the PG5 seem to have identical plies as well; although they have limba rather than the koto faces on the H301s, the thicknesses of all corresponding plies are very similar. Please allow a .5mm error factor, as I am just using a simple retractable measure. I fitted grip tape on the FB2 to improve the feel (personal preference), so it is hard to measure with anything more accurate.
Of course, can't stop at one, so measured the HL3, which is my favourite handle, at 35x27.
BTY Primorac 34x24.
Stiga AC Master 34x26,
Stiga Maplewood NCT VII 30x25. This last feels fine to me, so the width is, to me, much less important.
The Stiga Legend on my antique is 35x25, but much more square, and I like that too.
Cluttering up the whole thing is variation in taper towards the wings, in both planes. Most of the handles curve in, but the NCT VII has straighter sides, which may account for its ok feel, although the finish especially around the lens is bad, necessitating tape. Obviously the feel in the hand of the blades may be influenced by weight, and relative balance as well. Most of my DHS blades have similar naked weights, 90g +/- 1g. The weight with rubbers varies by about 5g. But to me, it appears that the handle size and shape is at least as important.
I may need to try all of these with a digital vernier caliper, so that I can accurately measure the handles where the thumb and forefinger sit, which may have a lot of correspondence with my preferences. And then I do have some ST handles and at least one AN...
