Jigging handle scales

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Randy3000

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Jun 3, 2017
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I am looking to up my handle game and want to do some jigged wood and bone scales. I found a you tube video where the guy used some mystery dremel bit I've never seen

Just curious what that bit is, and also methods you use to jig handle scales.
 
Can't tell if it is a round edge wheel burr, or a round edge diamond wheel. The diamond wheels are found at HF in the big 50 piece box of diamond bits they sell for about $15. Wheel burrs are from the jewelry and industrial suppliers.
 
So any jigging methods other than wheel burrs? I thought about making some handtools out of aome scrap steel pieces i have and gluing sandpaper to it. Maybe i can make some interesting patterns, maybe it'll be a pita, I don't know
 
It all depends on your threshold for pain and frustration...I did a couple and decided my time was better spent making BLADES and buying jigged bone scales already dyed..YMMV
There are actually Named Set Patterns...check Culpepper and Co. website for all the patterns
 
Since I'm still in the learning phase of knifemaking, i think i have to at least try it a few times. Some sets of scales is $8 and i have a good chance of wasting it right now. I already spoke to my butcher and can get the bone. I have been using wood that i harvested and have split and flat sanded by hand with sandpaper, so I'm not afraid of time consuming tasks.

I really like that wormgroove pattern, i may try that first.
 
It never hurts to try something you've never done before. On fresh bone you are going to have to allow it to sit and dry for about 6-8 months minimum. Then you need to boil and scrub the bone CLEAN inside and out then cut and flat sand and hope it doesn't require a lot of bondo body filler to smooth out and seal the Pith(open cell structure of the inside of the bone)....Things to do before its actually Usable for a scale.
 
How much is your time worth?
Jigged bone scales can be had for as little as $12/pair. And they are available in different jigging patterns.
I do some hand jigging on repair jobs, but rehandles and custom knives get factory-jigged bone.
 
I was wondering about that drying time. I've heard the same about wood but I've split fresh wood into scale-sized pieces and dried it a few weeks in a sunny windowsill and used it, and it hasn't moved on me yet. Do you think that bone drying time will be shorter after cleaning it and cutting it up?
 
For sure, thin bone will dry first. But it'll move nevertheless, so cut it a bit larger in order to still find your finished piece within the distorted stock.
Another thing; if you leave pieces drying on a shelf you might not notice small movements, but when you have a scale moving you'll definitely be aware of it moving against flush pins!!
 
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