Fattening up a cord wrapped handle

[jdm61]

I want to try paracord wrap, but I don't want the handle to be so flat. Do any of you put any "scales" under the wrap and if so, what do you use? IIRC, James Helm said that he put leather under some of his.

 

[fishface5]

Or a pair of menuki

 

[Kentucky]

I’ve put leather slabs on the flats then wrapped over that. Turned out nice

 

[jdm61]

How thick? I am thinking about going with my "black and blue" motif like I do with blackwood or ball Micarta with blue G10 liners. I was thinking royal blue underlay with black over top.

I’ve put leather slabs on the flats then wrapped over that. Turned out nice

 

[007Airman]

Use cord under the section you want fat and you can mix colors for effect.

 

[Storm Crow]

I used to use leather, but have switched over to neoprene with an adhesive backing. Neoprene, paracord with the core intact wrapped round-and-round, then paracord with the core stripped criss-crossed on top, then impregnated with West System marine epoxy.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I have holes at each end of the tang. I run one or two loops of the paracord between them, and then do the wrap knotting over the loops. This gives more width to the center of the wrap and makes it more comfortable in the hand. I always pull the core from the cord before wrapping, BT.

You can glue wood or leather strips to the tang, too. It is best to sand the strips after gluing to give them some roundness.

 

[LCoop]

I once saw a maker who "somehow" had a special wrap or sort of like a knot in the center of the tang that actually made the end result oval shaped with the peak of the oval in the center of the tang. Not sure how it did it or even remember his name. It was pretty cool though.

 

[jdm61]

What thickness of neoprene and where do you get it? I have the West part covered already. Knew doubt that stuff from the boating world. Also, do you remove the core of the cord that you use for your Turn]ks head knits or leave it intact?

I used to use leather, but have switched over to neoprene with an adhesive backing. Neoprene, paracord with the core intact wrapped round-and-round, then paracord with the core stripped criss-crossed on top, then impregnated with West System marine epoxy.

 

[Kentucky]

How thick? I am thinking about going with my "black and blue" motif like I do with blackwood or ball Micarta with blue G10 liners. I was thinking royal blue underlay with black over top.

I did about a 1/4” on each side

 

[Kentucky]

Here’s one before the wrap.. yes it’s a brutish piece but it’s exactly what the guy asked for. Forged from 3/8” thick 5160

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I once saw a maker who "somehow" had a special wrap or sort of like a knot in the center of the tang that actually made the end result oval shaped with the peak of the oval in the center of the tang. Not sure how it did it or even remember his name. It was pretty cool though.

You are probably remembering the "JT Wrap". It was a moderately complex wrap, but his directions made it pretty easy to learn. A search should turn it up, or ask JT if he still has that tutorial.

 

[Storm Crow]

What thickness of neoprene and where do you get it? I have the West part covered already. Knew doubt that stuff from the boating world. Also, do you remove the core of the cord that you use for your Turn]ks head knits or leave it intact?

I use between 1/8" and 1/4", depending on the wrap. 3/16" seems like a good all around. There are several sources, but McMaster Carr would be a good place if you want to get a little to try out. The Turk's head knots have the core intact.