BK16 WIP, including some homemade burlap micarta

You mean to tell me that that's all I needed to do, to have my own micarta grips? I could've made some at any time with some burlap and resin?
 
Charlie_K said:
You mean to tell me that that's all I needed to do, to have my own micarta grips? I could've made some at any time with some burlap and resin?
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Yyyup. Burlap, cloth, construction paper...even green wool sox (I'm looking at you LG&M). if you are just going to make one set, it's not much cheaper than buying scales. and, you will make a mess. but, it's a fun DIY thing every now and again. it's been a while since i've made a set. i got the 16 and it seemed like the right time.
 
Welllp, please stand by for technical difficulties. my bandsaw blade broke, and i just went to replace it. unfortunately, my upper blade guide assembly screws are rusted solid. i am going to try some penetrating oil on it, but i am not hopeful. i will look to see if i can find a fresh one somewhere.

just a head's up, since i know you guys are eagerly awaiting updates. :rolleyes:
 
Tick tock...just kidding, hope you get your equipment up and running. Here's a pick of my DIY carta on a DIY knife. It was about 7 layers of old kahkis and bondo fiberglass resin. Notice how the cheap resin changes the color to an olive green. Looks and feels great to me.

 
nice job cEdge.

well, it's only a month later, but i got a craigslist special on a new-to-me bandsaw. as it turns out, it works only ok. the guides are not great, and there is a lot of blade twist that can occur, so i have to get creative with my cuts. oh well, it's a bit rough, but will just require more sanding.

didn't like the job my stripper did either (so to speak). i even soaked it twice. oh well. this will be a user anyway, so i don't care if it is perfect.

let's begin....
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not sure if i've said the materials: homemade olive burlap "mycarta", coyote brown G10 liners and carbon fiber pins. i wasn't thinking clearly. i like green handle with the coyote liners and nat canvas pins. but, it didn't occur to me that all i had was 1/4" pins. i don't really like the look of black pins on the green burlap. but again...oh well. it's what i have.

i didn't take many pics, so let me just describe the process a bit, for those unfamiliar and interested.
1) trace handle on handle scales. cut.
2) add contact cement to scales and knife, clamp, and let set for just a few minutes. (i have not been careful in the past and have ended up with not-so-straight holes, which is a big problem. so, i find the contact cement helps hold things together just well enough)
3) drill holes
4) finish blade end of handle (i.e. cut and sand). this is hard to do once, everything is glued up.
5) make sure pins go through both scales and knife :D **see #2 above (this is a joke, but only sort of. this is a good chance to make sure that everything lines up and that you like what you see)
6) glue scales to knife. i use G/Flex.
7) let set for 24 hrs
8) finish handle (really just sanding, filing, etc)

the couple pics below are step 5.
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and this is step 6.
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And, now we wait.
 
Knew a guy who going to make out of brown paper bags or towels lol. He said it would take too much paper to make. I offered him an old pair of blue jeans. But he got busted at work for making file knives with shop tools. While making 16 an hr. More than I ever made over the table. And was selling the knives on the side too. Very lucky he still has a job.
 
DunkEm said:
Where did you get carbon fiber pins?
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I honestly don't recall. I've had them for awhile. but, there was a place that sold 'em. i got about a 4' length.

EDIT: just looked through my old email receipts and found it. i am not sure the rules on posting it, so i will PM you.
 
ok, here she is. a bit rough and she's dirty, but figured i'd still add some pics.
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i have to tell ya....i'm not super-psyched. i have a low-tech/low-budget setup. i just use a drill press with sanding discs on it. i had it just about perfect. fit my hand great. but, i put on a new 120 disc to finish 'er up and bit in too much. and, i spent the rest of the time correcting. it's easy to do. before you know it, ya got a skinny handle.

still turned out alright, but i know already i will be doing another. ;)

i'll clean it up tomorrow (maybe) and try to take some pics in better light.

EDIT: adding the money shot....
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You wouldn't know from the pictures that it isn't just right! They look pretty good from here. :D
 
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