Can't figure out how to handle this one

J

Jason Fry

Joined
Jun 5, 2008
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I've got a blade forged out that I'm having a hard time coming up with a good handle configuration for. It's a 9 inch OAL knife, forged from 1958 Ford leaf spring. There's a piece of the spring in the picture, identical in size to the piece this blade started as. The tang is tapered. Haven't decided on whether nor not to do filework yet. I mostly can't decide whether to do a pinned guard, to do bolsters, or to do some pin work. What do you fellers think? This one is slated for a knife show in Big Spring, TX, if that makes a difference.

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That's a pretty serious consensus. If I go with the guard, should I put a finger groove behind it? I've got brass, stainless, or nickel silver guard stock. I'm feeling dark wood for some reason, maybe with red liners?
 
I am going to play devil's advocate here and say the second one. Just throw a second pin in the handle behind the bolster somewhere along with the lanyard tube.

Just my opinion.
 
Well, hell, I'll be the odd man out and go with option 3.

The blade has very clean lines and looks like something you'd see offered to mountain men as a trade knife or the like.

Were it my blade, I'd think about curly maple or bone for the handle. Maybe even re-work the pommel area a tad to make it into a ball-grip knife.
 
I'm gonna be even ornerier and suggest that you do bolsters on both ends. It isn't that much harder than doing it on only 1 end, and the results are worth it. I agree with the last two fellers about the clean lines and mountain mannish classic profile. I say spruce it up a bit but stick with what you've got. If you do it right and take the time, this could easily be your best ever, IMO.
 
The brief initial consensus has been clouded by a multitude of good suggestions. I've admired Matt Bailey's work ever since I started making knives, and have yet to make a knife that's Bailey-esque. This one has the profile to pull it off. I've decided to go with desert ironwood bolsters and some light wood rear handles, with filework, black liners, and mosaic pins. I'll post it up when I'm finished, but it'll be a while.
 
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