Handles on Integrals?

[bobbywett]

Hey Folks,

I've been drooling over a few of the "Integral Designed Knives" threads here on our forums as of late. There's some stunning craftsmanship that must go into these indeed. My question is this.....how are these makers able to match the radius behind the guard on a full tang integral with the radius of the selected handle material? Are they heating the the metal and clamping the wood, mammoth, etc....to form an identical radius? Are the just trying to achieve the closest grinds on respective materials (handle to metal) as possible? Is there a technique that someone might be willing to share for this procedure?

Thanks So Much,

Bob,

Hershey, PA

 

[galadduin]

I didn't make any integral, however I made some exact match of curvy bolsters and handle material. I pretty sure that they also sand or file the handle material with great patience. Patience is the key, at least for me...
Emre

 

[deker]

I'm pretty sure clamping scales to hot steel would mostly smell bad and ruin handle material. As Emre said, it's just careful and precise fit-up work....

-d

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

I just recently finished another integral with stag scales( I'll post pic's in a couple days). The inside radius on the handle of the knife is relieved in the middle leaving a lip around the edge about an 1/8" thick. I then get the stag really close on the disc and then the hand sanding starts. To get a really close fit I take a candle and wave the tang over the flame blackening the steel with soot(spelling?). Take the stag and put it in the swoop and the black left on the stag is the high spots that have to be taken down. Do this about a hundred times and you'll have a good fitting handle.

 

[Mark Knapp]

I just recently finished another integral with stag scales( I'll post pic's in a couple days). The inside radius on the handle of the knife is relieved in the middle leaving a lip around the edge about an 1/8" thick. I then get the stag really close on the disc and then the hand sanding starts. To get a really close fit I take a candle and wave the tang over the flame blackening the steel with soot(spelling?). Take the stag and put it in the swoop and the black left on the stag is the high spots that have to be taken down. Do this about a hundred times and you'll have a good fitting handle.

I do what Mike does, instead of the soot, I use black marker on the steel and rub the scale against it, works good. I also dry fit the pieces and try to look between them with a strong light on the other side.

 

[bobbywett]

Thanks for all the great replies...they are greatly appreciated. Looking forward to seeing your stag integral Mike!