First, second, and third failed attempt...

[fedaykincmndr]

Well I'm starting to get awfully jaded...

I was able to go to the Kentucky Scottish Weekend last weekend while visiting home and I picked up a damascus Sgian Dubh blade blank. I thought, well this should be easy just throw on a handle and I've got a really nice knife... MAN was I wrong :jerkit: . I've spent enough to nearly buy a custom just getting tools and such, not to mentinn the time and failures. Now, I'm starting to get REALLY jaded as I've destroyed two good pieces of antler and nearly an entire hickory ax handle just trying to put a handle on the damnable blank.

I'm posting now because I just wanted to see if I could do it myself and obviously I can't, so here's what I need; Can someone recommend a reasonable solution that does not involve me working on it as I'm at my wits end with it. A custom maker who perhaps for a reasonable price would just slap a handle on it. In fact, I don't even care what the handle's made of: wood, antler, or daggon plastic for all I care. Any help is GREATLY appreciated and I definately respect makers more than ever. I thought I knew how hard they worked, man o' MAN was I wrong.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

Well I'm starting to get awfully jaded...

I was able to go to the Kentucky Scottish Weekend last weekend while visiting home and I picked up a damascus Sgian Dubh blade blank. I thought, well this should be easy just throw on a handle and I've got a really nice knife... MAN was I wrong :jerkit: . I've spent enough to nearly buy a custom just getting tools and such, not to mentinn the time and failures. Now, I'm starting to get REALLY jaded as I've destroyed two good pieces of antler and nearly an entire hickory ax handle just trying to put a handle on the damnable blank.

I'm posting now because I just wanted to see if I could do it myself and obviously I can't, so here's what I need; Can someone recommend a reasonable solution that does not involve me working on it as I'm at my wits end with it. A custom maker who perhaps for a reasonable price would just slap a handle on it. In fact, I don't even care what the handle's made of: wood, antler, or daggon plastic for all I care. Any help is GREATLY appreciated and I definately respect makers more than ever. I thought I knew how hard they worked, man o' MAN was I wrong.

Thanks in advance.

Man, do I know how frustrated you feel. I've put together several kit style knives over the years (folders & fixed blades) and when I first started I nearly pulled what little hair I have left out! Through trial and error, online tutorials, and some great help from different forums I was finally able to put together some really nice knives.

If you think you might want to give it another try the folks at the kit knife forum at knifenetwork.com are friendly people and very helpful. (and patient with clueless newbies like me ) They can help you with assembly of the handle as well as finishing your handle material as well. http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=19

Here is an online tutorial for putting on full or hidden tang knife handle.
http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_tutorials.htm

If you decide you just don't want to fool with it anymore you might shoot an email to Chax Knives and tell him what you would like to have done. Chase Axinn does a lot of handle customizing on production knives and should be able do what you need at a reasonable price. (and they have a several options for handle material)
http://www.chaxknives.com/

Good luck

 

[gud4u]

The easiest and fastest method that I'm aware of to create a serviceable handle for a blank is to select a suitable cord and tie a simple 'whipping' knot.

1/8" nylon starter cord would be my suggestion for the cord-wrap. Starter cord is solid-core, thus it is minimally stretchable and compressable. The 1/8" diameter cord provides substantial handle bulk with a good non-slip texture - and it'll stay that way due to the properties of starter cord.

The whipping knot is quite simple. Google for instructions. Starter cord is available by-the-foot on bulk rolls at Tru-Value hardware stores. Wrap it tightly.

Hope this helps!

 

[fedaykincmndr]

Thanks for the suggestions and I wonder, would that Chax knives fella charge less if I sent the materials I wanted on it and all he'd have to do is attach it or a custom maker same scenario?