Horse stall mat rubber...

[M.FREEZE]

I have questions about using horse stall mat rubber for handles.
1) what grits do I want to use to shape my handles?
2) what is the best method to use for adhering the scales to the tang?
3) is the rubber impervious to water? Would it be okay for use with a fishing or boating knife that was in constant wet conditions?
4) does the runner hold up under long term use?

 

[fast14riot]

Please try the search function before posting questions such as these...for instance, THIS thread was on th first page of search results.


-Xander

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

I have questions about using horse stall mat rubber for handles.
1) what grits do I want to use to shape my handles?
2) what is the best method to use for adhering the scales to the tang?
3) is the rubber impervious to water? Would it be okay for use with a fishing or boating knife that was in constant wet conditions?
4) does the runner hold up under long term use?

1 - Around 60-120 works well, I find the higher grits just smear the rubber around
2 - Epoxy works great; I'd use some pins too... micarta rod is nice as well as flared tube
3 - not sure but it seems to be waterproof
4 - it is solid stuff but I have only been testing it for a year or so

 

[Horsewright]

Nothing you will ever do to a knife will subject it to the same abuse that one of these mats will get being on the floor of a stock trailer. These mats will stand up to years and years of daily abuse from a cowboy jumping his horse in and out, to taking a load of calves to the sale, to a couple of bulls jostling around when ya bring em home from the neighbors (bulls often view fences as mere suggestions). When they are not being pis... and sh..... on, or not hauling a load of horses with iron shoes nailed to their feet, some of them pawing the mat the whole trip, the trailer will be parked outside in the weather. Most stock trailers are relatively open so the mats are exposed to the weather. The trailer might get wept out or hosed out once a year, maybe, maybe not. I would expect to get 10 years from a set of mats in these conditions, at least. Waterproof? Yep. Durable? Yep, it will not be an issue in a knife handle. I've never used it as a handle material so can't speak to those points specifically but have a lifetime of experience using these mats.