I Need a Knifemaker That Can Customize a Cold Steel Tanto Handle

[Bimmer1]

I'm looking for an individual knifemaker that can remove the Kraton handle material from a Cold Steel Tanto and replace it with "Ray skin" and a cord/silk wrapped handle.
Is this possible? Cold Steel has this handle style on their Imperial Tai Pan.
Does anyone know of a capable individual that can do a quality job?
I want to retain the knife as it came from the manufacturer, including the stainless steel guard and pommel. A slot may have to be cut into the pommel for proper wrap technique.
I would appreciate any responses.

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I think that it could be done, but mught be more costly than it's worth. first the tang of the cold steel knife is probally not wide enough to be wraped by itself. The kraton handle is molded to the tang and would be difficult to remove. And alternative would be to either file or grind the kraton thinner and use it as the basis of the handle. Wrap the ray skin around it and then the cord wrap, no one would see the kraton this way. And yes a slot would have to be drilled/milled into the pommell to tie off the cord wrap. You probally could do most of this yourself saving a few bucks.

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A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth

 

[Bimmer1]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by striper28:
I think that it could be done, but mught be more costly than it's worth. first the tang of the cold steel knife is probally not wide enough to be wraped by itself. The kraton handle is molded to the tang and would be difficult to remove. And alternative would be to either file or grind the kraton thinner and use it as the basis of the handle. Wrap the ray skin around it and then the cord wrap, no one would see the kraton this way. And yes a slot would have to be drilled/milled into the pommell to tie off the cord wrap. You probally could do most of this yourself saving a few bucks.

</font>

"I'm not opposed to this method. I wouldn't try it myself. I'm looking for a qualified/confident knifemaker for this job."

 

[Yvsa]

:
I don't know about CS's tantos as I have never had one, but the Traimaster handle is secured by the brass thong hole in the handle.
Kraton really sucks imo.
The handle on my Trailmaster didn't hold up well at all an when it got a cut that wasn't that noticeable it went all the way through and moisture got in and rusted the tang.
If there was any glue holding it on it had long since deteriorated and when I removed the brass tubing the kraton slide off with little effort.

I believe that the kraton should be removed and perhaps wood fitted around the tang for the ray skin would be the best way.

Hope you find someone to tackle the project for you.


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&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;---¥vsa----&gt;®

Each person's work is always a portrait of himself.

---- Samuel Butler.

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website

 

[Nakano 2]

There is a post with an url in the 4 sale forum with a rehandled Cold Steel Kukri. It was done by Jay Maines. It is quite impressive. Take a look.

L8r,
Nakano