Per philo:
That explains it.


Since you've already made a new handle, you could use polyurethane
coating...but I'd probably just wrap the potential "splinter" area with
duct tape.

No - I mean *really* about a hundred years old. OK... maybe only
50-60.... but the link was just for the gross form/functionality.

This one is solid steel at the business end, old handle looked kind of
like the stock on that 170-year-old lever-action rifle that somebody
found recently in one of the Western national parks.

BTW, if you're over about 5'8" tall; a longer handle improves the
ergonomics a *lot*. I'm about 6'5" and the new handle is 6' long -
about 2' longer than the original.

That changes the pushing angle significantly and gives a 2' longer
stroke to every push. I'd estimate the effort to clear my driveway
this morning at less than half what it took a few days before with the
same amount of snow.
--
Pete Cresswell