First Frame Handle Fixed blade

Chuck Gedraitis Knives

Chuck Gedraitis Knives

Joined
Dec 10, 1998
Messages
4,860
This is my first frame handle fixed blade. The guard is Jerry Rados rosebud pattern damascus and the bolsters are Delbert Ealy butterfly pattern damascus. Mammoth ivory scales. The frame has been fileworked in a vine pattern and the screws heat colored gold. The whole knife is screw together construction. The blade has been differentially heat treated with a suptle temperline. There is also a hidden internal pin to keep the blade from ever pulling out.
Thanks for looking,
Chuck


Knife Info
Full Length 7-1/8 inches
Blade Length 3-1/4 inches
Blade Material Forged to shape 52100 steel
Handle Material Mammoth ivory
Bolsters/Guard Damasteel damascus

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That is one of the neatest looking knives I have seen. I like originality, and this knife has it in spades. I don't usually like a knife that has a handle that is a lot wider than the ricasso, but I sure like this one.
 
Thanks for the kind words Keith. This knife is extremely comfortable and is nicely balanced. I think that the guard makes the ricasso look smaller than it really is.
Chuck
 
A frame handle is where the knife is actually a hidden tang that has a metal frame around the tang giving the look of full tang. Here is an image of a Terry Primos knife with frame handle.

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Below is Terry's explanation for using this kind of construction.

A frame is made in the final shape of the desired handle for the knife. An area is cut or milled out to fit the tang. The handle material is attached to the frame, then the frame is affixed to the knife. In the picture you can see 5 spots that represent holes in the handle material.

The 4 outer holes are for pins to affix the handle material to the frame. A bonding agent is used as well, but it's primary purpose is to seal the joint. The pins are what creates a mechanical bond. The 5th hole (in the center) is for placing a pin to affix the handle to the tang. Again, a bonding agent is used, but the pin creates a mechanical bond.

As far as the reasoning behind using a frame handle, I can't think of a functional benefit. Perhaps other makers can chime in with that. Here's my reasoning:

I had a piece of ivory which was about 3" wide, 4 1/2" long, and 1/4" thick. I drew a center line down the length if the ivory, then drew and cut out two slabs in the shape of my desired handle. Some quick math let's you know that when the two pieces are put together I would end up with a handle that is approximately 1/2" thick -- not quite thick enough for this knife. So by creating a frame, and attaching the scales/slabs to that, I end up with a wider handle and a knife that looks like a full tang.

So, why not just make a full tang knife to begin with? There would be no way to get the guard an ferrule on. That's one of things I love so much about hidden tang knives. There is virtually no limit to what you can do design-wise regarding the guard and handle.
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Slick looking Knife,Great detail all the way around...I just Love a framed handle:D

Bruce

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The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!!!!
 
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