how to ruin a good handle

RMLamey

RMLamey

Joined
Nov 13, 1998
Messages
2,598
I finished a nice 7" camp knife with curly maple handle. Finished the handle in mahogony dye and true oil, came out nice. I couldnt leave well enough alone and modified the advice of a maker/freind.

He puts his handles for 24 hours in warmed linseed oil. I tried this with a coffee pot full of linseed oil on the warmer pad. Well, i pulled the knife out this morining and the wood had shrunk really bad, the devcon had turned loose and well, it was time to cut/grind the handles off the knife.

Oh Well, ill put some more handles on tommorow.

 
The best lessons are the ones that bite us in the butt.

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A.T.
http://www.customknives.com
 
i will have to agree with AT. The best way to learn is by your mistakes. Keep trying and keep us posted as to what you come up with.
I want to see the knife when you finish it.

Stay Sharp,
Barry
 
I had a similar experience with curly maple. The wood shrank away from the guard and pomel. Now I ruff cut my wood to shape and let it sit for 2 or 3 weeks so that it will not want to shrink on the knife. I also pay attention to how much heat is being generated while shaping the handle. Good luck--Ray--
 
Thanks all, The sad part about it is that i had the handle shape really nice on this one. Everyone who picked it up kinda had that ahhhh look on their face, it really fit nice.

Any how i talked to Fitch last night, he told me the oil should not go over 100 degrees. Im sure the coffe pot had it warmer than that!!

Im putting some pistachio wood on it, will try and post a pic when done.

Matt.
 
Hmmmm Mocha Pistachio Coffee, sounds good?

And yes, please post a pic, I've been hearing great things on your latest endeavors!

Don't forget that Sgian Dubh?

G2

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My mind is made up,
So don't confuse me with the facts!

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

Gillett PA
 
After the dye is dry try using just danish oil for the finish, Harvey Dean taught me that one. And, here is one of my own - Vacume dye the wood and then stabilize it. The dye will go throughout the wood and the stabilization will kee[p the wood from moving except in the extream conditions. I say this because knowledge not shared is lost.

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Curtis Wilson -
Wilson's Custom Knives, Engraving, and Scrimshaw
 
Yep, thats what i put a final buff on the handles with, Watco Danish Oil. Puts a nice deep look. The handle was as good as it was going to get...but i wanted it better. Should have just left it alone.

I think the oil was simply to hot, as my common sence told me (that i ignored).
 
Hey guys, try cromic acid(mixed 1to15 w/water) on maple. It raises the grain some and you have to resand, but it is a really great red color.The cromic acid is a powder you can get from anyone who does plating, its very cheap.This works&looks good on curly maple.

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Jake Evans,War Chief of the Terrible Ironic HORDE, Wielder of the Mighty Blade SOUL STEALER
 
Nice looking knife RM. Looks like it came out great. ]



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"Life is too short to carry an ugly knife." Steve F.
 
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