5th knife problem. Wood issue.

[Runthemall]

I keep having the wood chip in this spot. This is the 2nd wood handled knife I've made and both times they've broke here. Very aggravating to be this far and have a foul up. How do I prevent this?

http://[URL=http://s1037.photobucket.com/user/RunThemAll/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/B13A79ED-85CB-495D-89E6-F91CC316F632.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[A C Richards]

How about putting bolsters on the front. It will help prevent the stress point for the wood.

 

[GunmanII]

Taper or round over the front of the handle scale... Check that you pin holes are straight, if it's canted a little it would bind up on the scale.

 

[noseoil]

Looks like it's a "structural" problem with the grain direction & design. The grain is parallel to the handle & the drop at the front is just tearing off. Is it happening during finishing & shaping? If so, it's a shaping issue with the tip being sheared off from forces "pulling" on this point. Only thing I can see would be to do the curve first, then come back & shape the front edge when grinding downward, so the tip won't peel off. Sanding by hand shouldn't cause this problem, or is it happening after it's shaped?

 

[Fish30114]

I must be the blind one, I don't see a chip if it's just to the right of your left thumb, then I would echo those who said to taper the scales down towards the blade--Good Luck!!

 

[woodwrkr221]

Certain varieties of wood are more prone to chipping out like that than others. Maybe you could re-profile a little bit in that area deepening the area where the index finger fits the handle then round over a bit more like some others suggested. That ought to remove the chipped area.