How to make a knife handle by AR

Tim the Wizard

Tim the Wizard

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Just a blast from the past: a very nice instructional series on shaping knife handles.

http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?1746-Fiddleback-Layered-Handles

Would love to see some of these pieces in the user thread:

mawip53-vi.jpg


FiddlebackHunter004.jpg


Wonder if they are still using files in the shop!
 
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I know that Dylan and Adam still use files

Oh I have a video on my Instagram account of Andy using one too but that is rare
 
I know a few knifemakers that grind out the blade using files as well, from start to finish. It is a labor intensive process when compared to belt grinding, but the products can be comparable, and it shows great commitment from the maker.
 
Vayu said:
mawip53-vi.jpg
Click to expand...

Yep, those first two-tone handles were what initially caught my eye about Andy's work.When so many others were making what to me looked like improved Old Hickory knives, Andy was coming out with knives that had flowing curves, sex appeal, and a unique style all his own. He hasn't stopped impressing me yet.
 
The epoxy serves two functions: Holds the handle material in place and seals the tang from moisture.
The pins or screws also have two functions: Holding the handle material in place and preventing any lateral movement of the material.

Another method of drilling the pin/lanyard holes is to drill the tang first, glue up one side of the handle material and let it cure. Then, drill through the tang holes and the attached handle slab. Glue up the second handle slab, let it cure and drill back through the holes in the first side. Straight shot every time. I think this is the way they do it in the shop now.
 
Rick Lowe said:
The epoxy serves two functions: Holds the handle material in place and seals the tang from moisture.
The pins or screws also have two functions: Holding the handle material in place and preventing any lateral movement of the material.

Another method of drilling the pin/lanyard holes is to drill the tang first, glue up one side of the handle material and let it cure. Then, drill through the tang holes and the attached handle slab. Glue up the second handle slab, let it cure and drill back through the holes in the first side. Straight shot every time. I think this is the way they do it in the shop now.
Click to expand...
Great info! Thanks for sharing.
 
Chris tapes the pre-drilled blank onto the scales and drills the holes
Then he comes back in the office and scribes around the blank on the the scales on right/left scale
Then he goes to the grinder and removes the material just barely outside the scribe line
Then he shapes the fronts and tops of the scales
Once that is complete he rounds up a crew to help sand the tops and fronts...
Then the scales are flattened for about the 3rd or 4th and final time ( the other times happen during various other steps in the process)
Finally
Aubrey,Chris and Judy glue them up ,clamp them and and a final clean up


Edit
If you click on mistwalkers sticky thread " road to fiddleback Friday"
If has pictures of all the most important processes I case my brief descriptions was not enough

***posting from a iphone4s is not the easiest and sometimes hard on the ol eyes
 
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Thanks for the explanations. I also did some internet searching and found out more about loveless connectors and other handle hardware.

Cool thread!
 
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