BS 3823:1990

This standard BS 3823:1990 Grading of ash and hickory wood handles for hand tools is classified in these ICS categories:

• 79.080 Semi-manufactures 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.

Criteria for the grading of the quality of timber.