Finishing Handles

[Salmotrutta81]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and pretty new to knife making. I am making a full tang knife with walnut scales. I am in the process of finishing the scales with Tru oil and I love the look of it. I would appreciate advice on epoxyingthem to the knife steel. Is it best to leave the side of the scale that will be epoxied untreated? I would imagine so and I have not treated it with tru oil. The knife will have 3 rivets to attach the scales. I understand that the mechanical bond is crucial. I figured the epoxy will seal the wood but wanted input from people who know better. I plan to prepare surfaces to be gluedone by sanding at 120 grit and then cleaning with acetone. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[Ghostman3]

I believe the usual process is to first attach the scales to the knife. Then shape them and then finish sand/apply oil.

 

[kuraki]

I don't do any finishing to scales until they're on the knife on a permanent scale knife. But if you're going about it the way you are, no, don't apply any oil to the glue up surface. It will only adversely effect adhesion, and the epoxy will seal that surface anyway.

 

[Salmotrutta81]

Thanks for the input. I usually put the scales on first, then shape and finish. The knife I am working with hasome a matte type finish and I was afraid I would mess it up with sanding, finishing. Thanks for the advice. I have to say this is a dangerous hobby because I want to make more and more. I hope to learn how to forge the blades one day.

 

[kuraki]

Sure I get that. In those cases I use roll pins or something similar to do all the handle shaping and finish sanding, then I can pull it apart, finish the spine in the manner I'm going to, and glue everything up with corbys or rivets or whatever.