On original wood -- if not imported woods (like ROSEWOOD, etc for hardness & smooth finish) probably some tough & local wood like hickory or chestnut. Something that would turn to a smooth finish without too much difficulty but still be hard & tough enough to not fall apart on first use. The next MVWC Newsletter has a piece about COLDWELL lawn mowers made at Newburgh, NY. They got all their handles from Piqua, Ohio. You'll have to wait for the newsletter to see who supplied the "cutters."