I won't pretend that this was a scientific test, but I feel better. The handle just dented the oak dowel.
Dan - I couldn't figure out how to make the video show up other than as this link? Is there a way for you to post the video clip without linking to the rest of my album?
It's a 1-1/4" oak dowel. I thought I had an axe handle laying around, but couldn't find it.
Didn't look like you were hitting it hard enough to me 
When I was testing one of my carbon fins to see what it will take for it to break while loaded/flexed I was hitting it about that hard. You should be able to use that handle as a ladder rung and bounce on it, nothing less will do 
I'm looking into the video thing. For now just post the direct link.
One more time, for Dan . . .
I have to say, you still weren't hitting it like you WANTED to break it off. And in reality the test will not be complete until it's evident how much force it DOES take to break it off. But despite the suspect effort and the accompanying theatrics
I could infer that the handle is indeed as strong as it needs to be.
As a matter of fact when I look at the pic of the handle now it appears even more attractive than before. You should definitely post this vid when you're offering your handle for sale :thumbsup5:
It occurred to me that it may not be a good idea to show the handle breaking off even if it took a great amount of force above and beyond anything it would be exposed to in real conditions. What people may take away from watching it is that it broke period, it's not a good impression to leave people with. The trick is to get it to take the most amount of abuse up to the point just before it breaks and show that
I managed to break something . . .
I'm not sure that I hit it completely square, but the blow ripped out the two rear screws, even though the top plate of the handle was set in a properly fitting recess. The handle is still undamaged, apart from some cosmetic scratches. To me, this is the best case failure. The handle frame and grip are stronger than the attachment to the wood.
Jeff, you're a really good sport.
I could see you were hitting with determination. I suspect that if the hit wasn't coming down on the side of the handle but rather straight from the top, the same direction as the stress from recoil would be, the handle would withstand even more. Well done. Why would anyone buy another handle.
Hey tinman, ill buy that "damaged" handle for 20 bucks.
An important point to note - on the old handles, the countersink holes were triangular... so on some handles, overtightening would wedge & crack the handle. Somewhere around the time of split between DW & Rick, DW had the handle mold changed. On the newer handles, the bottom of countersink is flat, using pan head screws. This mitigates much of this point of failure.
Not sure if Sheri was like me & just too lazy to switch the handles out for newer ones... but that's a fair possibility. I know DW has publicly offered to exchange any of the old handles for new handles for free.
Quoted myself to update status...
Talked to DW for a while last night & confirmed it was indeed one of the older handles. I can't speak for Sheri, but I know I'm guilty of not taking Daryl up on exchanging my old handles for new ones. Kept thinking... "well, it's worked well for this long, I'm sure it's fine". With the recessed handle pocket & flat countersink, DW said he hasn't had any failures on the new handles over the last year it's been in public use. It's a shame this had to happen & I'm just glad Sheri's okay now.
Here are the text/pictures from Daryl's Oct.2009 thread on this subject:
(http://spearboard.com/showpost.php?p=1068060&postcount=8)
Quote from Daryl WongAloha Mark,
Sorry about the handle. One of the design flaws with the older handles is the fact that the oval head screws if over tightened will cause the handle to crack at the screw holes. That is one of the first things I remedied when I parted ways with my former company among other things.
Send me an address and I will send a new one out to you.
If anyone else out there has issues with their handles, I will be happy to send a new one out if they have any cracks in them.
Aloha Daryl
Pictures from that post:
very good info Fuzz, thanks for sharing that.
Jeff, you are a master craftsman and a gentleman...i think the handle block and your fense post from the shark spike test should be featured in the Tinman Museum of greatness...they suffered so that we can be free from pain
Hey tinman, ill buy that "damaged" handle for 20 bucks.
I think I better hold on to it. That would feel a little like selling an air bag after an accident . . . "Good condition, only used once."
yeeeesh, she a tough chica, but damn..glad she's okay.
that pic of the broken handle is gruesome on its own!!
Thanks for the pics Don.
Strong or not I never liked that Aimrite / Wong handle from the first moment I held it. It's just not ergonomically correct. I also don't like midhandle guns, feels weird to have the gun butt so close to and pointing at the face.
I inspect all my equipment frequently for any sign of wear,I have a 55" Wong and love that gun,I have 2 5/8 bands on it and I always shoot with one hand but after checking one day and see a small hair crack on the handle screw holes, the first thing that run trough my mind was what happen to Sheri, some scary stuff, since that I shoot my guns with the other hand on the guns butt, also email Daryl and he send me a new handle, but I really want a Tin Mans handle.
I inspect all my equipment frequently for any sign of wear,I have a 55" Wong and love that gun,I have 2 5/8 bands on it and I always shoot with one hand but after checking one day and see a small hair crack on the handle screw holes, the first thing that run trough my mind was what happen to Sheri, some scary stuff, since that I shoot my guns with the other hand on the guns butt, also email Daryl and he send me a new handle, but I really want a Tin Mans handle.
at
Wow. That must pack a wallop. I have a Wong 55 hybrid and I use two 9/16 bands. (not sure the length) It knocks down some big fish and shoots really nice. No big recoil.
I'm sticking with Daryl's "factory design" (I've been in his factory :D) handle.
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