shaft
Loading your saved state.
shaft / handle
The long, stem-like part of a tool (e.g., hammer, axe), a weapon (e.g., rifle, spear), or a plant.
Der Schaft des Speers war aus leichtem, aber stabilem Holz gefertigt.
The shaft of the spear was made of light but sturdy wood.
Although 'Schaft' (shaft) has different meanings, it always describes the long, straight, and often middle part of an object. This basic idea connects the tool handle, the boot part, and the bone section.
Der Schaft des Golfschlägers ist sehr leicht.
The shaft of the golf club is very light.
To say what a 'Schaft' (shaft) belongs to, you usually use the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from). The genitive ('der Schaft des Hammers' — the handle of the hammer) is more common in written language.
Der Schaft der Axt war aus robustem Eschenholz.
The shaft of the axe was made of sturdy ash wood.
In connection with boots, 'Schaft' (shaft) is often combined with adjectives that describe height or width. Typical examples are 'hoher/niedriger Schaft' (high/low shaft) and 'enger/weiter Schaft' (narrow/wide shaft).
Für den Winter suche ich Stiefel mit einem hohen Schaft.
For winter, I'm looking for boots with a high shaft.
The use of 'Schaft' (shaft) for the middle part of a bone is limited to medical and anatomical terminology. You will find this term mainly in doctors' reports.
Das Röntgenbild zeigte eine Fraktur am Schaft des Oberschenkelknochens.
The X-ray showed a fracture in the shaft of the femur.
handle / grip
'der Griff' and 'der Schaft' can both be parts of a tool or an object. 'Der Griff' is the part that you hold or operate with your hand. 'Der Schaft' is more the long, handle-like part, for example on a hammer or an axe. The words can be confused because you hold some tools by a long part. More precisely, though: the 'Griff' is made for the hand, while the 'Schaft' mainly describes the long shape or shaft.
Beim alten Hammer ist der Schaft aus Holz und schon etwas locker.
On the old hammer, the shaft is made of wood and already a bit loose.
Der Griff der Tasche ist gerissen, deshalb kann ich sie kaum tragen.
The handle of the bag is torn, so I can hardly carry it.