How to attach the handle without drilling holes

saturnine138

saturnine138

Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Messages
241
I just bought an unfinished handmade knife, the original owner never got around to drilling holes in the tang and adding a handle. I'd like to get one on there, but I don't have a drill or know anyone that would let me borrow one. Is there a way to attach a wooden handle without having to use a drill? Thanks.

-Alex
 
Syracuse.

I've never done any sort of knife making/modifying before, and I figured this knife might be a good place to start. It was originally a thrower made of 1095, but I'd like to put some handles on it and give it a decent edge, then see how well it works for other tasks. Even if it's terrible at everything else, I'd like a bit more weight on the handle end anyway and keep it as a thrower. Here's a pic, it's nothing fancy, but it was cheap and I won't mind if I wreck it.

thrower.jpg
 
You could stop by any machine shop and ask if someone could drill a couple holes for you. Most guys would do free I would think or a couple dollars at the most.
 
1095. Thrower. G10 handles (reinforced epoxy) these bollts. You need a step drill for the handle material. http://www.popsknifesupplies.com/screw.html. I would figure out where I want the tang holes. Wrap the blade in a wet towel and a big rubber band or a hunk of tape. and then heat the spots on the tang with a small propane torch )or oxy/acetolene with small tip) until the spot started to get dull red keep towel damp. but don't get water on the tang let cool slowly. You should be able to drill the holes easy with a good bit and some oil. Clamp the blank to drill. DO NOT HOLD IT WITH YOUR HAND
 
Cord wrap might be the way to go because that throwers gonna take a beating and most handle materials just gonna get busted up anyway.
 
Is it difficult to get the cord to stay in place without putting it through any holes? It might be a good temporary solution until I can get a drill.
 
saturnine138 said:
Is it difficult to get the cord to stay in place without putting it through any holes? It might be a good temporary solution until I can get a drill.
Click to expand...

You should be fine, if you use glue to secure the ends of the cord wrap to the tang.
 
Don't expect it to hold much of an edge. A lot of throwers are not hardened to prevent breakage.
This is also a perfect opportunity to learn some hardening processes at the same time!
 
Once you get the handle wrapped with cord take a small brush and paint the whole handle with super-glue it'll dry in about 3 min and make the cord one solid piece.
This one has been in Iraq and is still going strong.
 
saturnine138 said:
I just bought an unfinished handmade knife, the original owner never got around to drilling holes in the tang and adding a handle. I'd like to get one on there, but I don't have a drill or know anyone that would let me borrow one. Is there a way to attach a wooden handle without having to use a drill? Thanks.

-Alex
Click to expand...

It would depend on the type tang you have, I assume it is a flat tang blade, I have been told by many knifemakers that the Acraglas gel from works great for this process. If you have a 'hidden tang' knife, you would of course have to drill the hole in the handle material, then fill hole with the Acraglas Gel (item # BWAG) then just insert and allow to set completely (I think this takes about 24 hours to completely set). I have been told it will 'never come off' Not even if you want.
 
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