Handles - Screws vs. Bolts

[Mike Mossington]

My knives are all full tang. I use both pins and bolts for securing handle material, but I really like the look of handles held with screws. Especially G10. Any suggestions on where to find suitable screws, how to tap the tang, how to ensure a good solid hold, how to fit on tapered tangs, etc., would be much appreciated.

 

[Mike Hull]

It might be easier to solder in SS tubing, and tap that for your screws.
You will have to countersink the backside of your scales, but you have to do that on the outside for bolts anyway.
There will, no doubt, be more info and different methods posted by others, as there is more than one way to do this.

 

[Sean O'Hare]

Hey Mike how's it goin?

A number of months ago someone posted a message about threaded standoffs for doing what you want to do. Threaded standoffs are found at electrical supply places, I got mine at www.digikey.com.

I got 3/16" for 4-40 screws and 1/4" for 6-32 screws. You drill for the size of the standoff and then just place it in the tang, drill you other holes and screw it all together, works really well.

This is how I do all of my screw on handles, no tapping required. This also allows you to use any thinkness of steel for the blade that you want, if you tap I think you need to use at least 3/16" stock to get enough thread to safely screw in your screws.

Anyhow that's how I do it there are definitely other ways.

Take Care,
Sean