Handle Questions

Joined
Jan 22, 2002
Messages
658
I was thinking about starting to make some knives. I've got a pretty good idea about what steels and styles I want to start with. What really has been messing with my mind is the handles. I have some ideas, but I thought I'd ask the makers how they started developing their ideas on proper size and fit. It seemed like wood would probably be a good material to start with because of its price and easy workability (is that a word?). What sayeth the masters?
 
Truck I am no master but I just work out what the knife is going to be used for . I like wood. I like australian desert wood because it has a fine grain and is hard and dense. Some soft wood shrinks. I have used pakka wood a few years ago on fishing knives that were going to be exposed to water. Becuase I am still learning myself I have not tried a lot of fancy materials. Price is always a consideration.

I use local wood for the fire that overseas makers pay good money for.
Boils down to use what is suitable and what you like the look of.
 
I am no expert or Master either.But what I did and suggest is tat you find a style or look of a handle you want then grind everything away that doesn't look like the handle you want:D No honestly..Shape the handle you want then keep grinding away material until it fits comfertably in your hand,in any position you think the knife could get used in,if something doesn't feel correct to you it probably won't to someone else either.Once you can master the fit in your own hand then try a friends hand and your at the same time and see how the fit in there hand differes from your own and then try it with a couple of people and pay attention to where they say it doesn't feel good and soon you will learn what you need to make.Handle fit is as important to me as the blade geometry and temper.If you can make a knife that can fit anyone (or should I say make each knife fit the person that will use it) you will get allot more business.All the pretty in the world on a knife is worthless if it doesn't feel good when using it.
Bruce
 
I would try micarta for handles for a working knife. It is easy to work and the price is ususally cheaper that stabalized wood. Micarta is very stable and nearly unbreakable. The linen based Micarta has a nice pattern to it when sanded.

Mike
 
Originally posted by beknives
I am no expert or Master either.But what I did and suggest is tat you find a style or look of a handle you want then grind everything away that doesn't look like the handle you want.



What Bruce said:D You may have noticed that all the best knifemakers's (no, not a real word) handles look really cool (check Bruces site for handle eye candy) that's because form follows function! BUT, to a certain extent, function follows form. There's no real science to it (prepare to be shot down in flames;) ) just do it till it looks & feels right:)
 
Thank you all!!!
Bruce,
Thanks for a great second opinion. I was thinking of just using wood, screwing them on, and removing from there. If I screw up, just take them off and start over. I'm not planning on starting a new business, this is mainly so I can have something decent to use in my adventures, but who knows. Strangely enough, I have a daughter who likes knives and she has pretty much cleaned me out LOL. Since we're planning on heating with wood next winter I should have plenty of testing materials also. Thank you all again!
 
Truck,Just make sure that you let that would dry inside for a long time (at least six months) or you will have way to much shrinkage and then be flustrated even worse..Wood is best to either have commercially dried in a kiln (if there is anyone around you that does that) or let set up for a year or longer if it was cut green.
Good Luck and lets see some cool knives now.
Bruce
 
Thanks, I was referring to chopping and cutting tests LOL. There's a pretty decent wood shop a few miles down the road that would let me poke around their drop pile for chump change. I was amazed at the selection of different types of wood that they carry. Thanks again!
 
My mistake:D
But really,You can get some really cool looking pieces from that wood pile.I still have pieces of wood drying around the shop to use someday for a handle ;) :cool:
Have fun making the kindling for the next fire you start.
Bruce
 
Bruce,
By any chance have you ever used yew? I've seen some beautiful furniture made out of the stuff. It's got some interesting color but I was wondering if it would be tough enough?
 
I have used Osage but not Yew..If you want to use it but are afraid it is to soft then just gave it stabilized and you will be good to go,That is the cool thing about stabilizing,we can now use woods once thought to soft for a good handle.
Bruce
 
I was wondering about that also, thanks for the confirmation. It's amazing how quickly new ideas, and technology, come in and change things. Now I guess I should chase down that liquid metal thread:)
 
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