L. Johnson wrote:This shovel is quite old, and the handle is all wood with the split end filled with a cross bar of wood. I'd love to learn how to replicate that.
Try this as a place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWKFGD0SV4s
To make the handle, I would start with a long grained hard wood and shape to a round. leaving the top 400 mm (16") larger than 32 mm (1 1/4"), say 50 mm (2").
With the grain edge to the sides (look at the end of the grain and have the most full circles (rings to the front and back) so that you can get maximum strength.
Split (cut) the handle down front to back say 300 mm (1'). Bind the handle at the base of the 300mm to prevent it splitting further.
Steam the timber for an hour or so or soak for a week. Gradually open the split per the video and fashion the handle component to suit your hand. Drill a 1/2"hole and fashion handle ends to insert into the holes.
Spring handle into split shaft and release the retaining wedge. A bit like springing the watchband clip back into the watch bezel. Leave to dry for a week or two. Install the handle into the shovel. Sand and oil then get into the digging
Good luck with it all. Hope this helps. Looking forward to a picture.