Can I modify this handle

[notrox]

I was curious if I could modify the brass pin in this knife handle so that it sits flush? It's slightly domed on each side.

Thank you.

 

[Ratatoskr]

Yes, you can, provided the peened brass isn't the only mechanical connection between the scales and the tang. Depending on what equipment you've got, you can lay tape over it, poke a hole so the brass you want to reduce pokes through, and file it, or sand it down, in which case you'll probably mark up the micarta and have to smooth it out afterwards.

 

[notrox]

Yes, you can, provided the peened brass isn't the only mechanical connection between the scales and the tang. Depending on what equipment you've got, you can lay tape over it, poke a hole so the brass you want to reduce pokes through, and file it, or sand it down, in which case you'll probably mark up the micarta and have to smooth it out afterwards.

Thank you for the reply. What would you recommend for smoothing the micarta after filing/sanding down the pin? I have 220 - 2000 grit sand paper and simichrome polish.

 

[Ratatoskr]

Definitely wear a mask when you sand that stuff. I'm just a tinkerer, not a knife maker, fwiw. It looks very polished/buffed in your pics, I would say sand as high grit as you can go and then polish, but that is at best an amateur response.

 

[killgar]

Am I the only one who doesn't see any pics?

 

[19-3ben]

Am I the only one who doesn't see any pics?

I don’t see anything either.

 

[awesome14]

Instead of pics, I see random characters. Might want to check the bb code.

 

[Ourorboros]

Instead of pics, I see random characters. Might want to check the bb code.

Two impressively long strings.

 

[davek14]

I have a carbide rod that I have used to take down proud pins without masking the rest of the handle. The, about 1/4" round, rod, carefully applied, takes down the pin without impinging on the rest of the handle. Seems like it peens a bit as well as only slowly taking material off. An old style, smooth, knife steel would prolly do the same.

YMMV. Your Milage May Vary. And all other disclaimers apply. This works for me.

 

[catspa]

Some knifemakers pride themselves on doming their pins nicely. There are pin spinners and heading blocks sold for precisely that purpose.

Sometimes I’ve peened pins poorly myself. I’ve always attempted more and carefuller peening instead of filing them flat.

Parker

 

[killgar]

Are the heads of the pins the only things holding the handles on? If yes, then grinding the heads down could cause the handles to come loose, or greatly weaken their attachment. If the handles are also epoxied on then this should not be an issue.

If it is just pins and no epoxy, then you might be able to grind the pins down, remove the handles, and then epoxy them in place with the pis intact. One concern with this is that pins can become deformed/bent during the original peening, making it difficult to fit the handles back onto them, but then you could always replace the pins.

But not seeing the knife this is just speculation.