Alternate ways to attach synethetic handles? (bolts/screws that can be removed?)

O

obsessis

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Jul 2, 2009
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I am trying to figure out the best way to attach synthetic handles (micarta, g10) to knives. I would like to use something that screws or bolts together that can be taken apart and re-attached later on. I know they make corby bolts but those are screwed together and then ground down, right? That wouldn't allow me to take the knife apart later.

Do you guys know of any alternate materials to use to attach them?
 
You can use threaded sleeves with button head or flat head screws. I liked the look and did it on this knife, but I epoxied as well, so the screws are for retention and looks only. It is not a take-down:

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I know Tracy sells the sleeves under handle hardware and has the screws as well. If you could press fit the sleeves into place within the tang, the screws could be used to take the handle scale on/off. However, you won't see many knives that are set up to remove handle scales as it encourages moisture under the scales and corrosion. Most makers seal the handle by using epoxy between the scales and tang unless it is a purpose built knife.

--nathan
 
I cut a 1/8" pivot pin in half and inserted it into the tang. You can press fit it in depending on how big you made the hole, glue it in or leave it loose.
 
I use spacers and screws. No epoxy so I can make a different set when I get bored. Shoot me a PM if you want more details.

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There is an inherent problem with trying to make handle scales which can quickly be detached, which is that they may do so during use. Personally, I would never try something like this because of that particular problem.

However, how I would suggest doing this would be to use hidden tang fasteners (the chicago screw style ones). Then, to cover the fasteners, I would fabricate a piece of pin stock to cover it with a tooth coming off the bottom and mill a notch into the side of the hole in the scale and a notch on the bottom of the scale partway around the hole to fit the width of the tooth. In this way you could screw the scales on, push the cover down the notch and twist it to lock. Then a plug made from the same material as the handle scales could be hammered into the notch in the side of the hole to make it look like a permanent handle treatment.

There are still two problems with this however. 1 is that you will still in some part be able to see that there is a notch in the side of the hole, especially since there needs to be either a bit of the plug sticking up or a little bit of the notch uncovered to pry out the plug when changing scales. The second, which is more of an issue to me is that what really holds handle scales to a knife is not the fasteners used but rather the glue, which just isn't easily removable.

In any case, I wish you best of luck in your endeavor and maybe you'll find a good and creative solution that will solve all of my problems with the idea.
 
I like the idea of the sleeve and screws. I wouldn't mind epoxying the handles together to get it to work....I know i specified that they should be able to be removed but that was more to get the idea across of something like a standard bolt.

Anti-torsion - I can't PM you. can you enable PM's or send me an email?

is there anything else people use to attach handles that involves screws/bolts?
 
Devcon is the best epoxy for the job! I've used it many many times with no complaints or any problems.
Check out knifekits.com for your screw pins.
 
I get my epoxy from JGreer, which is great because I do a lot of composite work and you can get it in large amounts (as in up to 10gal at a time). I wouldn't, however, use it if I wanted to be able to get the scales off again because there'd be able to separate the tang and the scales after it cured. I might use something like elmers glue just to keep the corners from chipping, but any real glue I would think would make the entire idea of changeable scales pointless.
 
I have planned on doing the same thing but not yet executed, I was planning to use RV Cement which is just a semi-hardening cauking. It is used to seal doors and windows. It remains flexable and provides a good seal against moisture. Its easy to remove and replace if you take the handles off and available for customers to reapply.
 
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