Candidate for rehandle?

L

LeatherMan64

Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
460
This doesn't get much pocket time, as it's only got one of the original handle slabs. I'm thinking of rehandling it with a bit of really dark, tight grained rosewood that I've got lying around here somewhere. I just need a bit of help with the how-to. Do I need to completely disassemble it? If so, what's the best way to remove the pivot and spring pins? also, is it possible to reuse them, or should I get some new pin stock? Thanks in advance for the help.
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Shame about the other cover as the shield side looks great :thumbup:
 
It is possible to replace the covers without taking the knife apart, but I am not a big fan of just gluing the material to the liners. I prefer to pin them also, which in most cases do require dis-assembly. I have seen on video of a guy pinning the scales with the knife in one piece.

I love the bone. If it was me, I would try to match a piece. There are some places online that have a great selection of jigging and colors available. It is possible to mimic the worn jigging look, if you are careful.

The pins are pretty much junk once you remove them. You need longer material to properly peen them on assembly. Some hardware stores carry the brass stock, but I'm not sure about the nickel silver. Jantz Supply is one place online I can think of that would have all that pin stock in many sizes.

Don't know if this helps at all. I'd love to see what you do with this.

Glenn
 
Whatever you do to the other side, leave this side alone! Please, for the love of bone! ;)
 
I'd re-handle only the side that is missing handle, trying to match jigged bone to it. A real old pocket worn bone like yours is a beauty.
Mike
 
Is it possible to de-saturate dyed-bone handles? Except for a few spots, the remaining scale is almost translucent, much lighter than any of the pre-jigged slabs I can find online. Or, should I buy white bone, jig it to match the wear and tear on the mark side, and dye it myself? Does coffee work? Hmm, the more I think about this the more I think it should go to someone who is far better equipped to work on it than I am.
 
Unfortunately, it's tough to replicate the natural processes that happen to that bone from use, hand oils, etc. I've heard of coffee being used on bone, but not necessarily in what context. I think you may do better by trying to match something that is already offered. The dye process should be more stable.

Did you try a site like Culpepper's for the bone? They have one of the best selections in jigging and color around, IMO.
 
I didn't try Culpepper's, no. Searching for it now, all I can seem to find is bars, steakhouses and such :P The search goes on.


ETA: Got it! The "bamboo corncob bone looks like the closest thing to what's on the knife now. Should I distress is before putting it on?
 
That's entirely up to you. BTW, that corncob has pretty big "cobs", much bigger than the jigging pattern on the knife. I don't think that will match up well. If that were me, I would take a new piece with a similar pattern and "take off" a portion of the top of the jigging. If you do it right, you should be able to give it that pocket work look.
 
Alright, thanks very much for your input. If I do end up undertaking this job myself, I'll post some update pics.
 
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