QotW: Are your handles the ear type, the D, droopy D or other shape?

[Pres 1,627]

Once again, I am trying to come up with a QothW, as there are no new ones posted in the question pool! Sooo as not too long ago someone posted about backfilling handles, and I have also posted in the studio about doing extruded handles, I will post here about the shape of the handle curve. I am certain that most of you have a preference in how the final curve of the handle looks.  So here is the question: Are your handles the ear type, the D, droopy D or other shape?

I have been doing handles on mugs this last few days, all extruded now with the electric extruder. What a time/effort saver. At any rate, once I put the handle on at the top, and drop the bottom and join both with magic water I add a center ball, impressed as a thumb rest, at the top and two smaller ones on either side pressed in with a rounded wooden rib to finish the handle lines into the mug. Then I arch the handle to a slightly drooping "D" and back fill the bottom. These usually fit well for two and 3 finger use depending on the mug size.

So how do you do handles in regard to the final shape of the handle as it profiles on the mug. By the way, even my teapot handles have the droopy "D", but they droop a little more.

 

best,

Pres

[Denice 452]

I am not a big mug maker but when I do I end up with a extruded D shaped handle with enough room for two or three fingers.   I have monster hands so if I can get two other people will be able to get three.   I tend to make handles that blend into the rim and foot,  more of a contemporary look.   The handle is wide enough you have a secure feel when holding it not a rolly polly  cup.   If I made mugs for production I would probably use a different handle,  these require more fussing than other type of handles.      Denice

[dhPotter 288]

Finished putting handles on yesterday. I think my handles qualify under the "Ear" classification. My handles are slab made. Cut a dogbone shape then curve it in the shape of an ear. I never really looked at it like an ear, but the ear shape it is. Since the backfill thread, I have been backfilling top and bottom connections. Glaze was piling up at the connection points because I would always paint 2 coats then spray a bit. Now with the backfill it looks a lot better. I still brush on 2 coats prior to spraying, but the glaze doesn't gather in the deep V created from the attachment. Yes it takes more time to fiddle with backfilling, but it Looks Good.

[GEP 1,508]

I would describe mine as "droopy ear."

[Joy pots 30]

My handles are wide D.  I don’t backfill I use enough slip that it pools around the attached points.  I wipe off excess.  I occasionally put a thumb hold.

Joy

[yappystudent 262]

Actually I'm trying to make the heart-shaped type handle because it's the most comfortable for my fingers that I've tried so far. 

[LeeU 773]

I'd gladly submit some potential questions but I can never find the place to post them!! Was looking for it the other night (& the search feature yields nothing).  I know I've been told where to find it before but I didn't write it down. I wish it was right "out there" somewhere.   And now, I've forgotten my question  

Handles....nope.  I know how to pull & attach 'em pretty well, actually, but I hate making mugs so I just don't.  

[Joseph Fireborn 1,235]

Ear. The only way I like my handles. Although I want to try the kind where its an ear with a finger pulled up at the top. 

Like this, by Ayumi Horie:

Edited August 22, 2018 by Joseph Fireborn

[Gabby 237]

1 hour ago, LeeU said:

I'd gladly submit some potential questions but I can never find the place to post them!! Was looking for it the other night (& the search feature yields nothing).  I know I've been told where to find it before but I didn't write it down. I wish it was right "out there" somewhere.   And now, I've forgotten my question  

Handles....nope.  I know how to pull & attach 'em pretty well, actually, but I hate making mugs so I just don't.  

Look in this forum at the second thread. It is called QofW: Participants Questions...

[LeeU 773]

I DID...I swear it WAS NOT THERE last night!!!!!!!!! I looked there and in Aesthetics & even Studio (tho I knew it wasn't there.) Thanks---It's a little crazy-making but it's definately there now! 

ANYWAY....here are some handles from when I used to do mugs. They're more like a capital C , maybe, than the other types. I like my mugs on the hefty side, with the handles in balance. 

[Mark C. 3,106]

Mine are the F unctional ones-every one has a thumb spot on top as well

[Callie Beller Diesel 1,324]

My usual is an ear or a d, with the backwards c used on latte mugs. But those are only a 2 finger cup at best, because of the low profile. 

[Joy pots 30]

I had a good look after they came out of the kiln, I previously said they were a D but on inspection they’re really ears

joy

[Mark C. 3,106]

MY handles look like this

 

[Rae Reich 306]

I think @Mark C.'s is ears, as is mine, unless sometimes on bigger mugs that seem to be for big guys - then I do big C's.