Handle Gripping Vise

Jonathans

Jonathans

Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
588
Besides my Wilton, post vise, and rotating blade vise, I am finding that I need a way to hold a nearly finished knife by its handle. Picture a big bowie handle, or a stag handle here.
What have you pros found to be the best way to do so, giving secure access to the blade and not damaging the handle?
 
I do have one question: You mentioned having access to the blade while holding the handle. Isn't your blade all done and finished before you start the handle?

To answer your question, I bought a contour vise from Jantz. It holds all manner of shapes and contours at several angles. Some of the best money I ever spent. It was one of the few things in life where I got it, opened it up and examined it and was so impressed with the quality and craftsmanship and the thought that went into it, that I felt like I truly underpaid for it.
 
When I have had to do what you are describing, I wrapped the handle in a piece of 1/4" thick dense foam pad and then clamped in a vise between two pieces of PCV pipe sawn in half.

Other times, I have used my handle clamping jig to hold the knife by the point and butt.
 
This is what I made
The rubber is used to make shoes (50 schore) and ground concave. But other rubber will do.
I clamp knives like this to sharpen them and move diafolds to sharpen

IMG_20160713_190740_zpsvd4q8r47.jpg
 
Last edited:
J. Doyle said:
I do have one question: You mentioned having access to the blade while holding the handle. Isn't your blade all done and finished before you start the handle?

To answer your question, I bought a contour vise from Jantz. It holds all manner of shapes and contours at several angles. Some of the best money I ever spent. It was one of the few things in life where I got it, opened it up and examined it and was so impressed with the quality and craftsmanship and the thought that went into it, that I felt like I truly underpaid for it.
Click to expand...

My inexperience often leads me to a recovery process. Hence the need to hold the blade by the handle!
 
Hengelo_77 said:
This is what I made
The rubber is used to make shoes (50 schore) and ground concave. But other rubber will do.
I clamp knives like this to sharpen them and move diafolds to sharpen

IMG_20160713_190740_zpsvd4q8r47.jpg
Click to expand...

That's cool Hengelo, I may try and produce one of those!!

Thanks for the post!
 
One more reason to build a knife that is easily disassembled and reassembled before everything is done.
Screws are your friend.
Alignment pins are your friend.
On my fixed assembly knives I even have the sheath made before the knife sees a drop of epoxy.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
One more reason to build a knife that is easily disassembled and reassembled before everything is done.
Screws are your friend.
Alignment pins are your friend.
On my fixed assembly knives I even have the sheath made before the knife sees a drop of epoxy.
Click to expand...

^^^ Right on. :thumbup:
 
Karl, you may have just given me reason to step up to a higher level in my knifemaking skills. I already use alignment pins so I should be able to figure out how to extend the tang and secure the pommel with a nut. Thanks.
Hengelo, I like the simplicity of your system.
John, I'm not sure what you are calling a contour vise.
 
Karl, I saw a pic of your Turkish twist, Walnut Bowie. You took take down to the ninth there! Gorgeous work and incredible fit and finish. Gives me something to aspire to.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Got a toilet in there, too?
Click to expand...

Haha, I use a lot of toiletpaper to clean blades while (wet) hand sanding.
You'll be amazed how often you'll use it when it is for grabs

Fish30114 said:
That's cool Hengelo, I may try and produce one of those!!

Thanks for the post!
Click to expand...
And Fish,
If I were more of an engeneer I'd build my jig with the moving plate attached to the screw going up and down (with a ball hinge or so)
 
J. Doyle said:
I do have one question: You mentioned having access to the blade while holding the handle. Isn't your blade all done and finished before you start the handle?

To answer your question, I bought a contour vise from Jantz. It holds all manner of shapes and contours at several angles. Some of the best money I ever spent. It was one of the few things in life where I got it, opened it up and examined it and was so impressed with the quality and craftsmanship and the thought that went into it, that I felt like I truly underpaid for it.
Click to expand...

John, I found the contour vise you were reffering to. I don't think Jantz carries it any longer. I also checked out your web page and saw that you also incorporate a take down setup with your knives as well. However, I cant for the life of me figure out how you tighten or remove the handle nut on some of them!
 
Jonathans said:
John, I found the contour vise you were reffering to. I don't think Jantz carries it any longer. I also checked out your web page and saw that you also incorporate a take down setup with your knives as well. However, I cant for the life of me figure out how you tighten or remove the handle nut on some of them!
Click to expand...

You might call them and check. I haven't had mine very long....only a few months. That'd be weird if they quit carrying them all of the sudden...but stranger things have happened.

Some of my knives have a button (usually damascus) that I epoxy in place that covers the finial bolt, after the knife is all done, epoxied up and good to go.

On the rest of them, there is an actual removable finial nut of some type.
 
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