Everyone Struggles with Handles

I've been at this stuff for 10 years and have learned a thing or two. Can I make a decent handle that looks good and feels good? Usually. Have I ever made a perfect handle? Probably not but I keep learning and refining . I was taught to make a handle, shape it let it set up then attach it. I have tried putting a plug of clay on the pot, then pulling and I can do that but what works for me is a hybrid of the two. I pull handles, put them flat on a 1x6 and let them (or force them) to get dry enough to handle without marking them up. I score my mug, apply a little slip and while that settles in I cut the top end of my handle at a shallow angle and trim a half circle on the lower end. I hold the handle almost upright and blend the upper attachment area together. Then because the handle is still flexible, I make my loop and attach the bottom of the handle. A little clean up and refining the loop and it's done. P.S. I can pre cut the length easily because that 1x6 is 5 1/2 inches wide. I use that as a gauge and all my handle straps end up the same length. The best tip I can give is "attach the handle at the angle you want it to end up at and don't change it once it is stuck on the pot"

My handles have not always pleased me, some days they still don't.  I dug some oldies out of the back of the cupboard to review and discuss. The pictures are quickly snapped but should serve the purpose. Also I don't understand the optics of it but handles almost always look larger in a picture than in person. Go ahead and chime in in the comments section. I'm a big boy, I can take it.


Basic D handle This droops a little and could be a little beefier

The body could be shaped better. The handle is set too high but the size and shape aren't bad

pulled on the mug. upper end needs to be a little heavier.
 I think this method is easiest if you come off the mug at 90 degrees
 but that doesn't always look good.

Nice negative space and placement , but it is a little thin for a mug this size

Handle too heavy and there is a slight kink in the curve

Large soup mug Handle droops a little but works very well
the weight of the full mug has leverage that is counteracted by fingers under the loop.
In this style, the finger(s) inside the handle keep it from tipping and
the fingers outside the handle support most of the weight.

another big soup mug
Happy with this one

Good negative space, fingers are not forced against the hot mug

current handle I'm trying the lower placement and like it so far

Good negative space

Very large mug, beefier handle, even curves and
almost symmetrical teardrop shaped negative space
Pleased with this one



big 30 oz mug
I would like a little steeper rise where it attaches

Pretty happy with this one