Is it heresy...

[pbe gummi bear]

These are my favorite handles- @zavod44 can you cnc these out of Koa for me? 

[austin87]

I had the dark plastic handles on my kettle when I picked it up, but you can't tell me these light wood @zavod44 handles don't look awesome on the dark green kettle



I'll need some wood, maybe dark, to go on the black 18.5" OTG I just picked up.

I do think wood makes for easier handling of the lid than plastic when doing high heat cooks. But if you are happy, then all the more power to you. And more wood handles for me 

[zavod44]

These are my favorite handles- @zavod44 can you cnc these out of Koa for me? 

If you do the data work I'll try to cut them

[addicted-to-smoke]

^^ That curved plastic style ... I don't mind it too much on my WSM but truly dislike it on kettle lids, because with kettle lids I'm lifting and turning the lid at an angle to hang it or to roll it back into a lid bale. And the curve, while conforming to the hand better, limits the leverage there, so you have to turn or rotate your hand more. With a straight, flat handle it's easier to accomplish the task.

[Craig]

To each their own. The kettles will perform just as well and the food will taste every bit as good on a plastic handle kettle. There was a time when I thought my mid 60s 18.5 needed to have a modern OTS leg kit because I wanted it to have an "upgraded look" this was when I was starting out.

It has long since been put back to original legs, pan and metal wheels.

Of the plastics, I DO have a sneaking admiration for the newer dark grey ones but after I slapped a set of walnut stained Zavod transitionals on my crimson OTG, the issue was settled.

[MacEggs]

I rescued an 18" OTG last year and it came with the above white handles. 
Had to replace them with some custom mahogany zavs.  I believe it looks a million times better with wood … IMHO. 

[MacEggs]

@Craig , did you use double-rivet handles for the bowl straps on the above kettle?

[Craig]

@MacEggs  Those are modern single screw @zavod44 made in the style and profile of the double rivet handles. They are just like the early '81-'82 era single screw handles. My personal favorite style!

On the current dark/charcoal grey handles, I guess its a matter of personal taste but I do like them paired with a dark blue/periwinkle kettle or a lime SJ/Performer. It gives the blue kettles a very "modern" look & feel . Maybe its because the last of the blue kettles came with them? I don't know. Having said that, classic wood is always my first choice.

[tb80]

I'm reviving an older thread to admit that I am starting to come around to the wooden handles.  After I picked up a Red MT with wooden handles, the wooden handles really started to grow on me.  I still like the look of the newer plastic ones, but I the wooden handles are growing on me.

[OoPEZoO]

They each have their place.  I really like those newer plastic handles with the built in hooks for my 22.5" WSM.  It makes a great place to hang my iGrill when I don't have a table set up next to it.  There is no replacement for the looks of a good old (or new) wooden handle though.

[LightningBoldtz]

on the older style kettle handles with the two knobs I use wood handles



However in the many of the newer models the handles are flat without the knobs so the wood handles can spin.



So in these cases I use plastic.
I fancy the ones with the tool holders.

[Metal Mike]

I admire the classic look of he woods & but the side hook feature of the new dark plastics had me sawing notches on my light plastics...

I plan to get woods & tap a small screw/hook behind (out of view) to add this feature...

[MacEggs]

I plan to get woods & tap a small screw/hook behind (out of view) to add this feature...

@Metal Mike , similar to what I did here?  Works great, BTW.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/handles-was-not-aware-of-this/msg102732/#msg102732

[LightningBoldtz]

I plan to get woods & tap a small screw/hook behind (out of view) to add this feature...

@Metal Mike , similar to what I did here?  Works great, BTW.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/handles-was-not-aware-of-this/msg102732/#msg102732

That is a solid solution.

[Metal Mike]

@MacEggs Brilliant work, I was more referencing a tool hanging mod but that is a grate tutorial to stabilize spinners.
I have yet to concept the mod, but don't want to saw @ anymore plastic handles (I almost scratched my Blue's bowl..)