1st knife handle material

[TIM FROST]

I Am In The Process Of Making A Hunting/skinning Knife Out Of 0-1 Tool Steel. I Have Placed An Order From Texas Knifemaking Supply And Have The Following Handle Material On The Way. Inlace Acrylester,dymonwood,linen/canvas Base Micarta. Can Someone Give Some Advice On Which Of These Would Be A Good Choice For A Beginner??? Also On What Grit Of Sandpaper To Use On My Kmg To Shape And Finnish The Handle. I Also Am Going To Have To Make A Choice To Flat Grind Of Hollow Grind The Blade Portion. I Have An 8inch Contact Wheel,flat Work Platen And The Small Wheel Attatchment With 5/8 Wheel.
P.s. This Sight Has Been Great For Me, Thanks To All You I Have Learned More In The Last Week Than I Have In The Last Year!!!!!!!!!
-t.frost

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

OK Tim,I'd recommend the dymondwood to start with.The micarta is second,save the inlace for when you have a bit of experience.Flat grind your blade to start with (use the platen).Shape the handle on the 8" wheel and use the small wheel for finger notches.Start with 80 grit to rough out the handle -leave plenty of extra -then go to 120 to shape it up a bit.Next 220 then 400 should have you pretty much done.If you want a finer finish go on with finer grits by hand.No need to buff the dymondwood.Buff the micarta with matchless white and go easy or it will burn.The inlace takes a beautiful polish with pink or white rouge,but it takes a gentle hand to avoid burning/melting the acrylic.Remember to shape,sand,and buff the front edge at the ricasso before you assemble the handle to the blade.It is difficult (or impossible) to shape that area without messing up the blade once it is assembled.All the other grinding and shaping can be done once the knife is assembled.Tape the blade up good to prevent scratches (and cuts).
Stacy

 

[Bailey Knives]

I would start with either the micarta or the dymonwood. I have tried inlace a while back, and it is very easy to crack. I went through my entire stock of it on one knife.