Hi Bill
lets see if anyone else is interested. Most people can lay their hands on a decent old handle, or even make one ... (nice).
I abominate modern squared-off handles, and nobody seems to make nice shaped ones any more.I was just idly musing on the idea of taking a cast of one's favourite handle, and copying it in dense plastic - impervious to rain, woodworm, falls from high roofs, being stepped on etc. sounds a bit naff but could be practical.
Getting the steel blade presents the biggest challenge - who do you suggest I could try