Found a knife while I was on a hike today. It's still in fairly decent condition other then the handle, tarnish, and a bit of sharpening needed. I want to try to take it apart to clean and possibly sand and repaint the handle on it. It's a fixed blade knife. About a 5 inch blade with a small brass guard under it. I thought at first it was a taped handle that needed to just be retape, but upon close inspection realized it's small layers of wood built around the tang with what appears to be an iron bottom on it (not sure what type of metal just guessing) I was wondering which would be the better get for fixing up the handle. Should I figure out how to dismantle the handle, and rebuild it, or should I keep the handle together and just sand and do some cosmetic work on it. Will upload pic once I have better battery life.
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Found a knife, and want to fix it up.
- Thread starter KPardi
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2017
- Messages
- 982
A lot of it depends on your skills & tools.
But if the handle is tight and there is no sign of rot, then sand it up. Once cleaned & dry, you can fill in any gouges or divots with wood putty if you don't mind how it looks. Then seal or oil it if it isn't already. You can always wrap chord around it if you don't like how it looks or the handle is too narrow.
Tape or otherwise wrap up the blade before working on it though.
But if the handle is tight and there is no sign of rot, then sand it up. Once cleaned & dry, you can fill in any gouges or divots with wood putty if you don't mind how it looks. Then seal or oil it if it isn't already. You can always wrap chord around it if you don't like how it looks or the handle is too narrow.
Tape or otherwise wrap up the blade before working on it though.
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 12,639
The handle is likely stacked leather, not wood.
Once you have posted pictures, I can help you more.
Once you have posted pictures, I can help you more.
Sorry for taking a while got sidetracked yesterday. Here's a shot of the full knife and a close up of the handle. And Bill, you may be right on it being stacked leather. It doesn't sound the same as wood would when I tap my nail against it. The butt holds everything tight on the handle.
I apologize. I didn't realize it wouldn't link pics off my google drive. heres just links to the pics
https://www.facebook.com/kyle.pardi...8¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif
https://www.facebook.com/kyle.pardi...8¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 12,639
The handle is compressed leather. You can file it with a flat, single-cut mill bastard file-using a circular motion.
Only file in ONE direction-always the same. You can also sand it with fine paper-also circular and in the same direction.
Don't take it apart!
Only file in ONE direction-always the same. You can also sand it with fine paper-also circular and in the same direction.
Don't take it apart!
If that's my knife I will just sharpened it ............