Bocote wood handles

F

FYTrig

Joined
Dec 2, 2010
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A guy like Stacy is great for taking a chance on informing us newbies how to do things without illusion.
With that behind me now I have a question: What grit and shape files would you recommend for A hardwood handle like Bocote? I have sawed and chiselled to within a half inch on this handle for my Bowie. It has a bolster and a pommel already installed in the blank so I need a file or something to take off wood without chipping and help me fit it to a precise curve between the two pieces of steel bolster and pommel. I can sand to perfection but before I do I have a bit of wood to take off first. Would really like to know what are some files handle makers in the forum are using to accomplish this fast and effectively.
 
I like a half round coarse file. You can probably get one at home depot or lowes. Get one as large as you can find. I do a lot of hand filing on my handles, and this is my go to file.
Vw
 
Half round rasp and lots of sandpaper. Get a few hardwood dowels and you can wrap the paper around them to get into the tight spaces.
 
KARL Anderson would tell ou to go to Brownells and get a cabinet makers file number 74? I believe it was. He did a demo at the Branson HAMMER-IN AND SHOW and only used a file to shape his handle. It went fast. His method made sure that you did not heat up the handle wood which could cause cracks in the future.
 
We touch a file to every one of our handles after basic shaping on a 4X36 sander, normally just a coarse half round or flat...
 
A C Richards said:
Half round rasp and lots of sandpaper. Get a few hardwood dowels and you can wrap the paper around them to get into the tight spaces.
Click to expand...

I found a few different sized oak dowels wrapped with sandpaper makes quick work of most handles. It also knocks down raised pins nicely. When I use a file on handles it's a half round as stated by others.
 
All good advise.

A pattern maker's/cabinet maker's rasp in a #5 cut will do about 90% of all handle work. From there it is sandpaper backed with sticks/blocks to finish.

The brands sold by most woodworking companies are going to be OK. A 12"/300mm is about the best length for general use.
 
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