- Joined
- Feb 4, 1999
- Messages
- 5,786
I have finished two kit knives using "bolsters". The first was black paper Micarta bolsters with cocobolo scales, but after a few days the scales started to separate from the tang. I screwed up measuring and I also don't have a drill press, so the individual elements didn't go to the exact places I thought they would and there was quite a gap between one scale and bolster. I did some creative clamping to get the fit a little tighter, and I think it was a high stress joint that the epoxy simply coupln't resist. It'll have to be redone...
Anyway, the second one went a lot better. This one was a smaller knife and has cocobolo for bolsters (they actaully extend about 1/3 of the tang) and a dark koa for the scales. This time I cut the bolsters and sanded the ends flat, then drilled and epoxied them to the tang. When they were dry I fit the koa to the scales and bolsters, clamped, drilled, and glued. I used a larger bit, too, than the pin stock so that the scales could float a bit to adjust the fit after gluing and before clamping for the epoxy to cure. That worked a LOT better, and the knife turned out AWESOME! All I need to do now is learn silver inlay and I could make a really nice little knife for my fiancee....
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
Anyway, the second one went a lot better. This one was a smaller knife and has cocobolo for bolsters (they actaully extend about 1/3 of the tang) and a dark koa for the scales. This time I cut the bolsters and sanded the ends flat, then drilled and epoxied them to the tang. When they were dry I fit the koa to the scales and bolsters, clamped, drilled, and glued. I used a larger bit, too, than the pin stock so that the scales could float a bit to adjust the fit after gluing and before clamping for the epoxy to cure. That worked a LOT better, and the knife turned out AWESOME! All I need to do now is learn silver inlay and I could make a really nice little knife for my fiancee....
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html