handle replacement?

P

paddyboy30

Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
5
I was thinking of picking up an Ontario Black Wind Katana as a starter sword. It's under $60 dollar price looks great! I've heard some bad things about the handle, though, and suggestions that any purchaser should replace the handles. Is there someplace where handle kits can be purchased? I've got good tools, but I'm not sure if I'm up to making custom handles from scratch. Thanks!
 
anything that cheap isnt worth buying and sounds like a wall hanger, save a little longer and you could buy a solid and sturdy Paul Chen (hanwei) Practical Plus Katana :) starting in the mid $200 range...or the Practical katana which is good if you dont mind it not being fully tradition in how the fittings are attached (eg. the use of epoxies) and they are in the mid $100 range if you get a good find on eBay.
 
I appreciate the advice, but I'm not looking for what sword to buy. I'm looking for how to put a better handle on. I'm getting a good price on one that normaly costs a little more than $100 dollars, but want to have something different from the cord handle. If anyone knows how to do this, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks!
 
I have a friend who owns one, excellent sword for the money and cuts through soaked and dried newspaper with 1" mahogany dowel centered inside the roll with no problems except scratching of the coating placed over the carbon steel blade...Under $60..that's a good grab!! :eek: I would just slab it with a wood...makes me want to get one and tweak it
 
I agree that the best option is most likely to just take some hardwood slabs (like hard maple) and pin/screw/rivet a handle together. There are no real "handle kits" like that, just get the components and go at it. Drilling and pinning/screwing will be the most difficult parts if you do not have access to good equipment for it.

The tang would require a lot of reshaping if you want to do anything remotely "traditional" for a handle, though with that style of blade I'm sure that tradition is not an issue.

It will take a while to get something you like most likely. We can't tell you EXACTLY what to make, but if you decide what kind of handle you're interested in doing (drawings would be great), we could help you with advice on tools to use and some techniques for handle making. You might also be interested in checking out various knifemaking tutorials around the web (some good ones can be found at http://www.knifenetwork.com/workshop/index.shtml) and try to find info on making and fitting handle scales. You can actually do it with only the most minimal of tools, save for drilling which is best if you can find someone with a drill press to help you out.
 
Thanks a lot Sweet and Robert! I really appreciate the link, and I'll start looking into it. I don't have too much time, but I do have an idea of what I'd like: Something like a long version of a Buck Special (fixed knife) handle with a textured handle instead of something smooth. I'm pretty good with my hands, and the biggest problem for me is actually attatching it, but I've got some good ideas now, and I'm sure that article will have a lot more! Thanks again.
 
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