How thick for scales?

[fast14riot]

Hey all I am on the hunt for Micarta and am seeing it listed in all different thicknesses. What are the typical thicknesses you use on standard size hunter/fixed blades? On the knife I just completed I kind of just took a guess and started with 0.25" and it was hard to tell until I had it roughly contoured and then it felt ok. I know it really does depend on the knife, but since I am new I would at least like to start stocking materials I will use more often.


-Xander

 

[JGON]

Hey all I am on the hunt for Micarta and am seeing it listed in all different thicknesses. What are the typical thicknesses you use on standard size hunter/fixed blades? On the knife I just completed I kind of just took a guess and started with 0.25" and it was hard to tell until I had it roughly contoured and then it felt ok. I know it really does depend on the knife, but since I am new I would at least like to start stocking materials I will use more often.


-Xander

You can always start with something that you know is larger than you need and trim it down as you see fit. Handle thickness depends on a variety of factors, including not only the size of your hands, but the intended use of the knife, knife dimensions, etc.

JGON

 

[theflyingplatypus]

How thick is your blade/tang? If you have a .25 in blade and desire a .75 thick handle, you simply use .25 scales. Basically: total desired handle thickness - blade/tang thickness, divide by two and you have the thickness of your scales. If you are unsure how thick your handle should be just go and get one of your knives that you find is comfortable measure up the handle and go from there. For instance: I have a relatively large handle preference (.75" thick) and so if I want to use 3/16" stock my scales would be .27 of an inch thick. So we have .75-.21(3/16) / 2 = .27. Hope that helps

Kaleb