Attatching a knife Handle?

[Matthew.Passmore]

Hi, I am making a new handle for a knife(first try), I have seen lots of tutorials on how to make the handle but nothing on how to attatch it.

on outdoorcode I was looking at F1 blades and it said all I need are Threaded rivits??
what are these and how do i use them?

can anyone help or point me to a tutorial? would be a big help.

what ae the brass fixings in this knife?(Rapidboy's tut on BB)

Thanks.
:You_Rock_

 

[Longstrider]

The fixings on the kniife in the photo are called Hidden Bolts. They are fitted through the handle slab and the tang where they screw together, holding the slabs on, then the heads are ground down flat with the finished slab so all you see is a circular piece of brass without a slot in it.
Other ways of doing this job include the use of a Corby Bolt. This is a threaded rod with a cirular nut on each end that is then ground down the same way. In my opinion, Corbys are not as neat as you get a "fish-eye" effect where the end of the threaded shaft is visible once ground down.
I do not know what size holes the tang of your blade has in it for the fixings to pass through, and it will be this that decides what size fixings you will need.
I am yet to find anywhere in the UK that I can get Hidden Bolts at anything like sensible money (I guess this might be why so many guys use the Corbys) but I bought in quite a few from the USA a while ago. If you can use hidden bolts with an inner shaft diameter of 4.5mm (0.177 inch) and a head size of 6.35mm (0.25 inch) I could possibly be persuaded to pop a couple in the post for you....

Edit ; I stand corrected by one who is more awake than I. The Hidden Bolts are also known as Corby Bolts. Those that give the "fish-eye" effect are Loveless Bolts.
It is the Hidden type that I have a few of if you decide that's what you need.

 

[weaver]

Or the very frugal (cheap) method is to use brass or stainless steel round bar to make pins. Drill a hole the same size or 0.1mm smaller than the rod. Tap the rod through the hole leaving 1 mm protruding on each side. Use a ball peen hammer (Rounded face) to rivet the pin in place. Grind down level and smooth.

 

[British Red]

And that really is a "Frugal" knife

Although the box is nicer ...no really...I love the box

Red

Edit to say ...hint ....show the box!!!!!!

 

[Martyn]

Hi, I am making a new handle for a knife(first try), I have seen lots of tutorials on how to make the handle but nothing on how to attatch it.

on outdoorcode I was looking at F1 blades and it said all I need are Threaded rivits??
what are these and how do i use them?

can anyone help or point me to a tutorial? would be a big help.

what ae the brass fixings in this knife?(Rapidboy's tut on BB)

Thanks.
:You_Rock_

The ones on the right in this illustration....

They are called corby bolts and look like this...

You need a size-matched step drill to fit them (or two drills and a steady hand)...

After fitting and glueing, the heads are ground flat.

Alternatively, you could use loveless bolts...

They are fitted in the same way but dont look quite so neat as corby bolts.

Alternatively, you can simply glue in straight steel, brass or even mosaic pins. Pinning is probably the most common method and is definitely the easiest.

Mosaic pins are made by gluing smaller rods and tubes inside a larger diameter tube and the gaps filled with coloured resin using by sucking it through the tube...

They can be bought commercially and come in a variety of patterns and sizes...

They are simple to fit, you just drill a hole, put some glue on the pin, push it into the hole, wait for the glue to set and grind or file the pin flush with the handle.

Simple mosaic pins are not too difficult to make yourself. I made my own for this knife...

 

[weaver]

Beautiful work Martyn!!!!

Have to show a box for Mr. Red.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Excuse me butting in....
Martyn, are the step drills you mention available commercially or are they bespoke items made at home?

TIA

Ogri the trog

 

[Longstrider]

I'll trust that Martyn does not mind me answering for him here and tell you (Ogri) that the step drills are available commercially. I got mine from the same place in the States as I got the hidden (Corby ) bolts that I have. I tried and tried to find them here in the UK but could not source them here at all. If anyone else knows where they can be bought in the UK please tell us all eh?
I would imagine that for most of us, trying to make one of these at home, accurately, out of a normal HSS drill bit would be more trouble than would prove worthwhile.

 

[Matthew.Passmore]

Thanks Everyone, thats a big help.

 

[Dougster]

I'll trust that Martyn does not mind me answering for him here and tell you (Ogri) that the step drills are available commercially. I got mine from the same place in the States as I got the hidden (Corby ) bolts that I have. I tried and tried to find them here in the UK but could not source them here at all. If anyone else knows where they can be bought in the UK please tell us all eh?
I would imagine that for most of us, trying to make one of these at home, accurately, out of a normal HSS drill bit would be more trouble than would prove worthwhile.

Mick Wardell sells them on his site.

http://www.wardellsknifesupplies.com/

£20 each bit mind - so not for a one off me thinks.

Oh and Matthew - don't be overwhelmed by the work of these guys, I've done about five or so knives and none of them are anywhere near this standard. I've come to terms with the fact they never will.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I got my step drill from Texas Knife supplies for about $16, so with the current exchange rate £20 seems a bit steep.

 

[weaver]

Texas Knifemaker's supply is hard to beat on quality, variety and price.

http://www.texasknife.com/store/s-pages/TKS_MainframeStore.htm

I buy tool steel, drill bits, brass, micarta, and screws from them and never had a problem with quality or delivery.