How to Removed Pinned Handle Scales?

JSMcustoms

JSMcustoms

Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
1,792
I've got a knife that I would like to replace the scales on. The knife itself is a very beautiful damascus steel, but the handle itself leaves a bit to be desired and was for sure a user at some point in the past (small gaps etc in between the bolsters etc). The problem is, I have no idea how to remove the handle scales seeing as they're pinned and possibly epoxied to the tang. Do I just drill them out (very slowly so as not to ruin the heat treat) or is a different method preferred?

The knife in question:

Qn0p1.jpg


Q47MY.jpg


q0pf5.jpg


ca2sU.jpg
 
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I'm pretty sure you'll need to destroy the handles to get the pins off. Especially if they've been epoxied on. Boiling MIGHT loosen the epoxy, but to get the pins off, you will either have to drill them out, or cut the handle away from the blade.
 
I'd drill them out. I wouldn't worry too much about the heat treat. If you're getting that hot I think you going to ruin the drill first. But dunking in water and using cutting fluid would be a good idea. If the handles are epoxied on then you can cut them off either before or after you drill the pins. I would use a metal cutting band saw.
 
Look at it, there's enough of a gap that I might be able to get a hacksaw blade between the scales and the handle and cut the scales off that way.
 
If the scales are falling off already you should be able to punch the pins out.
Find a punch the same size or a bit smaller, try and get a pin over a hole or a gap in the vice jaws and give it a good whack.
if they do get stuck and you need to drill, you will never get up enough heat to mess up the blade.
Richard
 
James, is that a high end knife? If so I'd consider asking one of the experienced makers if they could do it for you. Not doubting your skill, it's just that it'd suck to damage it inadvertently.
 
I don't believe it's a very high end knife (picked up in a trade), but it's for sure one that I wouldn't want to damage by accident, because they do happen no matter how careful you try to be (been there). As a plus, it's good damascus that takes and holds a very nice edge. Also has some very nice looking file work along the top of the handle.
 
It's funny how damascus is viewed as such a high end exotic steel when you can often find decent patterns in cheap knives. The carbon stuff at least. I dunno... maybe the high end dam is heat treated better or something but I've never been able to bring myself to use it hard anyway. :)
 
I know what you mean, but nothing about this blade says cheep at all. I'll add some more photos once the batteries for my camera recharge so I take some.
 
Indeed the pattern is unique, though I've not seen a damascus pattern that I didn't like. There's a really nice knife in there with a little bit of work.
 
You could throw the knife in the freezer for a day or two to freeze the epoxy then hit the handle a few times with a ball peen hammer to break the scales. I've done, it works.
 
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