Re handling, how do I start?

[Tommyd345]

Hi all!

So I'm thinking I'm going to re handle my Gary mills Timberwolf. I handled it myself the first time, but that was 2 years ago before I knew anything about knives! So I'm wanting to take it off to make a new one with a palm swell and comfy to hold (at the moment it's not Grat after a while!).

Anyway I'm wondering how to go about taking the original handle off? Saw? File? Drexel? Microwave? Light sabre? I epoxied it pretty good, and I dont want to damage the tang.

Thanks in advance!

 

[greencloud]

Boil it to soften the epoxy and remove while still hot (boiling won't get hot enough to affect the temper). If you still need to pry them off use copper or brass so it doesn't scratch up the steel.

 

[Tommyd345]

There is also loveless bolts? (Forgot to mention doh!) how do we deal with those?

 

[SGL70]

I have never done it myself, but:
Bolts - I would take a drill to them.
Glue - I guess I would put the knife in an oven at lowish temperature 75 - 100C and try to knock/pry the scales off whilst hot/warm.

 

[sunndog]

Drexel?

sorry mate he got shot

 

[Tommyd345]

haha I meant dremel!

they are brass i belive so pretty soft, ill let you all know how it goes! :S

 

[greencloud]

Drill the bolt just a little for clearance then use the dremel cutting wheel to make a slot in the nut for a flathead screwdriver.

 

[pieinthesky]

If you cant get them off easily try drilling a couple of holes in the scales, down to the tang and screwing in some self tappers (grind the tips off first)

You can then tighten them against the tang. This might just pop the scales off cold or help them come off when you boil them.

 

[Tommyd345]

what's a self tapper?

 

[mrcharly]

what's a self tapper?

Is this a serious question?

 

[HillBill]

Put the handle in boiling water to soften the glue... put a small chisel down between the tang and scales and snap the scales off.... need to snap em when using bolts... this will leave just the bolts through the tang holes.... then just cut em off however works for you....saw, dremel etc. Job done.

 

[Tommyd345]

Thanks for the help! I'll let you all know how I get on!

 

[mick91]

As hillbill said boil it first. A Stanley blade knocked down may be better than a chisel IME, saves your chisel if nothing!

 

[rorymax]

Whats a self tapper ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-tapping_screw

Using a short length one (after the tip has been ground\filed off), you screw the self tapper down, it will act as a 'jack' against the tang and jack up the scales (hopefully), could work quite well, good idea.

 

[HillBill]

Nah, not strong enough, you need to snap upto maybe 12mm of wood, not difficult, no damage to chisel or tang, both are stronger and tougher than the scale ( unless its G10 )... the water and boiling helps soften the wood as well as the glue. Got to snap it, to get it away from the bolts, no other way unless you wanna run a bandsaw down the tang and through the bolts, but trust me, that's the hard way.

As hillbill said boil it first. A Stanley blade knocked down may be better than a chisel IME, saves your chisel if nothing!

 

[dewi]

Personally I'd throw the thing on a fire and let the handle burn off. May not be technical or pretty... but it gets the job done.

 

[HillBill]

And ruin the heat treatment, cause scale to form on the steel and likely burn the carbon out on the edge for a mm or two.

 

[rorymax]

 

[Shelley]

Hey good luck with your project, I have a Gary mills timber wolf that I put together myself as well, took a long time to get the handle just right...what are you planning on for the new handle?

 

[dewi]

And ruin the heat treatment, cause scale to form on the steel and likely burn the carbon out on the edge for a mm or two.

All easily rectified though with 5 minutes on a grinder and heat treating, no?

Edit: Grinder/belt sander... you know what I mean.