After-market Karda?

Just check out Sarge's Po-Boy Pukko project thread that was recently updated, and also the Questions for a knifemaking noob thread. Both are recent. That'll tell you how to do the handle, and also how to do the File Steel.

For drilling handle holes I use a simple jig. Here it is.

Clamp a scrap of wood onto your drill press or mill table. Drill into it (maybe 1/2" ) with a bit close to the size of the shank of a nail you have in the shop. Cut the head off of the nail and insert it into the hole point up. Now the drill bit is centered over the tip of the nail!!!!!!! You can check this easily by lowering the bit (Don't touch the nail, just get close enough to sight it.) Mark the center of both ends of your handle material. place one mark on the point of the nail. Drill into the other mark. The hole will be centered. Then you can pull out the bit, lean the handle laterally and drill again. The jig keeps the shaft of the bit headed for the tip of the nail. This gives you a V shaped slot for the tang. Clean up the hole with a file. Voila!
 
very nice tutorial, Matt. Great pics, and a great knife!
 
Great read longrifle. What a knife too. Lots of mentors on this site for sure.
 
Brilliant guys! Thanks so much for all the info. I was thinking it the handle was made in one peice >_< Shows how new to all this I am.

Thanks once again for all the help and info.
 

The karda handles are made in one piece--
holes either drilled or, traditionally,
burned in with the heated tang, or heated rod.

otoh
Could make any handle in two pieces,
even over a hidden tang,
probably some knifemakers that like to do it that way

<:eek:> THEY call me 'Dean' <>
dean-sp-sm.jpg

<:)> JMO-M2C-fWiW-iIRC-YMMV-fYI-TiA-YW-GL ***Caution: Not all ideas originating in this brain are entirely based on empirical data.
<:D> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
Ah right :) Well I'll have a think and see what I can come up with :)

It's pretty easy to get some nice 'knife making' supplies from the same place I found the blades so should be able to get some decent looking wood.

Thanks all.
 
For a karda I usually drill three or four holes about the same size as the tang very close together and then chip them out with a thin bladed pocket or carving knife.
I save some of the sanding dust off the wood to mix with the epoxy to seal the tang end of the handle, makes it almost the same color and covers any discrepancies nicely.
The kardas for my full size Foxy Folly are an old German Hunting Knife and an old Boy Scout Knife I cut the pommels off of and then took some artistic license with the blades.
A karda can be made from most anything. One in my 18" AK is made from a half of a pruning shear.;) :D :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top