An axe, drawknife (hopefully one with hangles) and mebbe some sandpaper.  Oh yeah, and a drill to excavate the tang hole.  A bench would be nice but not necessary if you have a couple handscrews.

Regards,

LOL LOL..

Should have used the draw knife with the original handles to make the new handles!

So, what is the problem?
You could have found a smaller log, or bigger bandsaw, and used only the bandsaw and the lathe, assuming you wanted a reasonably ornate handle shape. The bandsaw can do all the sawing required for lathe sized billets, the lathe does the turning and the hole boring.
Either you have got too many tools and machines or you don't use them enough..... (;) (;)

Or, how about using casting sand to make a mold of the original handles, and then cast new ones out of bronze (so they match that LN plane)? ;-)

I feel your pain.  I hate going into a project underpowered. Think CNC.

NM,
That was the most interesting message I have seen on Knots for a long time. Here on Knots, I like to be surprised - to see people try the "nonstandard" and see what pops. Such attempts are the only way to break the bounds of normalcy and be truly creative.

I can relate to your post because it is an approach which is similar to ones I have taken. When I make bowls or other treenware, for example, I start with a recently felled log, and use a chainsaw to make a cylinder of wood, then use a splitter to cut it in two, or into a number of pieces. Then I often use a Swedish carving axe and a drawknife, then a bandsaw, then an angle grinder with a small chainsaw blade and then replace the chainsaw blade with a grindind/carving dish.

From that I move gouges for further carving, or to power sanding for final shaping, depending on whether I want to have a scalloped or a smooth finish.

Some people start with a set of tools and that is the approach they always take. The Neanderthals are a prime example. I guess it is a game, like soccer, where someone says "OK, you can't use your hands". But this results in an attitude which is "I am a hammer. The world looks like nails to me."

I like to let my vision of the final piece determine what tools are the most appropriate. I also like to vary the tools I use, so I learn to use others, and so that I remain fresh, and not become bound to a set of "standard ways".

Everybody on Knots knows about Maloof and Krenov and the usual band of famous woodworkers. But few know of greats like Willie Sundqvist, who wrote about and taught Swedish woodworking techniques. He is the one who developed the design for the Swedish carving axe that I use. Willie and his son, Jogge, can give you some insights on woodworking that you may find fascinating. Certainly, it is more refreshing to see their take on things than to reread the standard Knots pap on shoulder planes, backbevels, BU bench planes and "which bandsaw should I buy?"

It is possible that your post was done humorously, and isn't what you actually did. To me, it doesn't make any difference, whether real or humorous, your post was a nice wake-up call to the rest of us who may get stuck in ruts. It serves as an invitation to try another rut for a while.

Have fun. Keep posting. You could become the KBP "Knots Best Poster".

Mel

Let's see: your first power tool is just about common to all lumber....After that, a froe and mallet to rive the wood, chuck it on a lathe, bore a small hole through the blank, turn the handle, get a blacksmith to forge you a blank tang, then burn in your handle holes, peen over your tangs onto a washer.  A heck of a lot of fun!

I pick up old ball-bats at yard sales.  They are great for such small turning jobs as making handles.  Usually they can be had for no more than a buck,  and are made of the finest well seasoned , and straight-grained ash.

Tom

Whenever I need new handles for my tools I just whip out some duct tape and start wrapping away. Super fast and cheap. Custom fit handles too