handle sanding

V

vaquero57

Joined
Nov 12, 2000
Messages
131
What is everyones remedy for finishing a handle so that when your done the pins do not stick out farther than the wood? The pins being harder than the wood do not sand as easily so when you go overe them with sandpaper the wood in front of and in back of the pin gets worn down farther. Do you guys follow? A friend of mine told me to use a stiff piece of something with the sandpaper cause it would provide better resistance to the pin than your soft fingertip. I tried a piece of flat hardwood wrapped with sandpaper and that just made it worse wearing the wood around the pin down badly. You could feel the wood running into the pin.

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" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
YEs Hardwood and sandpaper. Keep the papper on the pins as you sand. IF you must buff just a real short lick thats it.
 
Darrel is VERY wise!!! I have only made 4 knives (5 sort of) and you do have to endure that you are sanding against the pins at all times. If you use your grinder, ensure that you are grinding the pin area against the platen. If hand sanding, a sanding block is necessary.

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"Come What May..."
 
Darrel, You mean do not let paper come off the edge of pin or rivet, right. That may have been my problem. I was full stroking the handle. But with an 8 pinned handle that is some short strokes.

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
Howdy There...!
Here is a tip that I use for doing wooden handles. As I am shaping the handle, during each stage I will use a dremel tool to grind the pins a little deeper than the handle. That way as I sand I stop that stage of sanding when I reach the height of the pins. Then grind them a little more and sand the next grit until I get the finish I want. Does this make sense..?
"Possum"


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Thomas Clegg
 
Hey 57
Just be sure you sand the entire face on the handle evenly with a rigid piece behind the sandpaper. The dips come from sanding between the pins instead of on them. Your backer must be long enough to span the distance across your pins. That should even them up just fine.
Try the different suggestions and see which works best for you
smile.gif


Dave Evans
Tenino, WA
 
What about a highly contoured handle that is not flat?

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
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