Going to try and handle my first blade blank, Advice PLEASE! :)

[Turnip]

Evening folks!

I've decided to have a go at putting a handle on a blade blank, (new year, new experiences etc! ) I was wandering if you could point me in the direction of some useful threads/info. I have searched and found a couple but I'm sure some of you guys and girls with more experience would know the more "Muppet Proof" instructions to follow!
Also just generally any useful advice or tips with regard to what might make my first attempt easier. (such as tools I might have over looked, handle materials that are probably easier to work with for a beginner etc as I like to have an idea in my head before I start!

Thank you in advance! and sorry if this kind of thread has been done to death!

Cheers
Jon

 

[Niels]

Are we talking stick tang or full tang here? There's a world of difference between putting the handles on the two.

 

[Turnip]

Are we talking stick tang or full tang here? There's a world of difference between putting the handles on the two.

Ah, I knew I would forget something! my excuse is its been a long day!
Full tang, woodie clone. I have some corian slabs I could use as scales, but not sure!

 

[Niels]

I've only done stick tangs so far. But I might give them a try in the future, and if I do, I figure this would be a good place to start reading:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/content.php?115-Spyderco-Mule-A-Full-Tang-Tutorial

Do post pictures when it's done please. I love woodies

 

[Turnip]

cheers for the link mate! looks good! something to read through properly later I reckon!

 

[mholland]

Interesting thread, going to keep my eye on it. I'm in a similar position. Been watching the forum for a while now but decided in the new year that i'm going to really get into bushcraft, attend a ray mears course in the summer, and hopefully craft my own knife (well, like you scales on a blank to start) by the end of the year

 

[welchyd1]

Try making your own micarta scales its great fun and messy. Theres loads of vids on YouTube on how to do it. I tried it and was pleased with the results. I used old hi vis vests.

 

[Nice65]

I have learned so far;

Measure twice, cut once.
Keep checking and don't hurry.
Get a bench or pillar drill to keep holes round. Glue shows up very clearly around a wonky pin.
Don't sand too quick, the pins get very hot and blacken the glue or wood.Orange G10 is really bad for doing this.
If hand sanding cut your paper into 1" strips and strengthen the back with tape, you can use a shoe shine motion to round the handle while keeping symmetry.
Key the metal, degrease wood and metal with acetone.
Use a long set epoxy, it allows for slight errors and hardens better.
Shape and smooth the ricasso end before glueing (bit where handle meets blade). You can't do it afterwards without scratching the steel.

There's loads more, but here's a quick quiz. Which of the list didn't I do while putting this handle on?

 

[demographic]

Try making your own micarta scales its great fun and messy. Theres loads of vids on YouTube on how to do it. I tried it and was pleased with the results. I used old hi vis vests.

What resin did you use?

 

[Hibrion]

The enzo trapper kit is excellent value and you will end up with a good knife when you are finished. I started by getting one of their O1 kits in curly birch: https://www.brisa.fi/portal/index.php?option=com_oscommerce&osMod=index&cPath=119_103_133

Stuff you might need to buy includes: a file, some clamps, sandpaper, danish oil, two part slow cure epoxy, and maybe some beeswax to finish. They come with a very good quality sheath too.

The real benefit of the kit is that you don't need access to a pillar drill for drilling the holes, but you still get a feel for making your own knife.

 

[Turnip]

Try making your own micarta scales its great fun and messy. Theres loads of vids on YouTube on how to do it. I tried it and was pleased with the results. I used old hi vis vests.

I bet you never have to look to hard to find that do you mate!
as Demographic asked, what resin did you use to make the micarta?

 

[Turnip]

The enzo trapper kit is excellent value and you will end up with a good knife when you are finished. I started by getting one of their O1 kits in curly birch: https://www.brisa.fi/portal/index.php?option=com_oscommerce&osMod=index&cPath=119_103_133

Stuff you might need to buy includes: a file, some clamps, sandpaper, danish oil, two part slow cure epoxy, and maybe some beeswax to finish. They come with a very good quality sheath too.

The real benefit of the kit is that you don't need access to a pillar drill for drilling the holes, but you still get a feel for making your own knife.

Cheers mate, I've already ordered a blank from somewhere else, I want to have a go at doing as much of it as possible from scratch I'm just not quite up to making my own blade yet! I'm quite lucky in that I have pillar drills etc I can use at work and most of the tools I think I will need, but will have to check what clamps there is!

 

[Hibrion]

That makes things realitvely easy so. You will be able to pick up pins, clamps and epoxy at B&Q or a similar hardware store.

 

[Turnip]

I have learned so far;

Measure twice, cut once.
Keep checking and don't hurry.
Get a bench or pillar drill to keep holes round. Glue shows up very clearly around a wonky pin.
Don't sand too quick, the pins get very hot and blacken the glue or wood.Orange G10 is really bad for doing this.
If hand sanding cut your paper into 1" strips and strengthen the back with tape, you can use a shoe shine motion to round the handle while keeping symmetry.
Key the metal, degrease wood and metal with acetone.
Use a long set epoxy, it allows for slight errors and hardens better.
Shape and smooth the ricasso end before glueing (bit where handle meets blade). You can't do it afterwards without scratching the steel.

There's loads more, but here's a quick quiz. Which of the list didn't I do while putting this handle on?

I can't see anything wrong with that mate, Looks a fine knife to me!
what grit paper would you recommend please mate? I have a linisher for the rough shaping but had completely forgotten about getting sandpaper to do the rest! doh! :11doh:

 

[welchyd1]

What resin did you use?

I can't remember exactly but it was in a yellow bottle and I bought it from halfords.

 

[welchyd1]

I bet you never have to look to hard to find that do you mate!
as Demographic asked, what resin did you use to make the micarta?

No thats exactly what I wanted though after dropping a wooden handled knife never to be seen again.

 

[Nice65]

I can't see anything wrong with that mate, Looks a fine knife to me!
what grit paper would you recommend please mate? I have a linisher for the rough shaping but had completely forgotten about getting sandpaper to do the rest! doh! :11doh:

There's definitely something wrong. I had almost finished the final sanding when I noticed.

There's a seller on BB called Johnt1102 who specialises in abrasives. I buy mixed grits from 60 to 1200.

 

[Niels]

My sandpaper grits go up to 2000 but then again I'm a shiny objects fanatic.

 

[Hibrion]

Micro mesh gives a great finish. I bought a set from a guy on British Blades that went from 1500 to 12000 grit.

 

[thebushcrafter99]

There's definitely something wrong. I had almost finished the final sanding when I noticed.

There's a seller on BB called Johnt1102 who specialises in abrasives. I buy mixed grits from 60 to 1200.

have you burnt the wood slightly or is it something to do with the front of the handle or am i just blind? also what wood is that im guessing cocobolo or am i wrong again?