Help with handle pins

[Calvin Richardson]

I'm having some trouble with my handle pins. I'm chamfering the holes and pinning by hand with a 6 oz ball pein hammer. I try to leave just enough material exposed so that it will swell and fill the chamfer When I use copper, I'm having a hard time getting them nice and round. Is there a nifty little tool, that I can get to make this task easier and more consistent? I love the look of copper, but it seems like when I use brass, it turns out better. I don't know if it's because it's harder, or what. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Use a smaller hammer, light taps, and move the metal where you want it to go.
I use a 1-1/2 oz. hammer.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The tool is called a "head spinner". You peen the rivet and then chuck the tool in a drill and spin the head nice and round and flush. Many of the knife suppliers sell then, as do the industrial suppliers. Head spinners are very good on stag handles, where you can't sand them well.
On wooden handles in ivories, many folks just sand the rivet flush after peening.

 

[Calvin Richardson]

Thank both of you very much. I guess I'm probably getting a little too aggressive with the pins. That's probably why the brass I've used has turned out better. Its tougher so it doesn't deform so easily. I guess I'm gonna have to get a smaller hammer. Aren't ya supposed to go the other direction? If something is givin ya trouble ya usually get a bigger hammer don't ya?