Ever carved your own handles?

O

offroadcmpr

Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
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I was looking through the customized handles thread and decided that it would be fun to make my own. I will probably wait until I eventually get out camping so that I can carve them up while sitting around a camp fire. :) I would probably carve it up there, and then come back and drill the holes.

Has anyone tried this before? Any types of wood that work best? I live in UT but I am not sure what kinds of wood work best around here. I would like to just find something lying around instead of going out and buying something. Also, would I need new screws? I wonder that because there is not a lot of grivory material in between the metal blade and the screw. Would I have to make it a bit thicker to add strength? Especially if I went with a softer more commonly found wood?

This would probably more of a just for fun project, not sure if I would permanently keep it on, but you never know.
 
I don't have a knife I could do it to; but I've often thought it would make a good project. Good luck to you, keep us posted.
 
seems almost like worth just jumping into and seeing how it works out. worst case: fun.
 
I have been hand carving a handle for my hatchet but nothing for my knives. Good luck and as usual, give us the pics.
 
A great idea.I carved a spoon for my mom out of a branch from her pear tree, it made a special gift. I think a knife handle would have the same kind of sentiment, if the wood comes from a memorable source. I look forward to following your progress.:thumbup:
 
Hey, I just finished carving mine last week and you need a hard wood if you want to withstand abuse. You need something like oak or if you decide on a softer or exotic wood like walnut burl or aboyna burl you need to make sure it is "stabilized." This means that it had been cure with resin and is very hard and durable. If you can dent it with your finigernail, it's too soft. Next draw out your shape and start taking off little pieces. Finished, they will be thinner than you think you will need them, but remember there will be .188 to .25 of steel in between them and you can always add spacers. Just take your time, I rushed in a few places and it caused problems I had to fix later. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the ideas. I may start with just cheap soft pine or something to practice getting the shape down. I have not done any real whittling since I got my wood carving merit badge 10 years ago so I probably need the practice!

Do you think it is easiest to carve the thing whole and then split it down the middle to create the two halves? Or to just try to carve two separate halves?
 
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