Knife Scales

[Liveitloud]

I'm sure this has been done to death but I looked around and didn't see anything. I got back from the Dallas Gun and Knife Show yesterday and have been bitten by the bug. I have had a Loveless drop point laying around that I am now wanting to do something with.
This is unchartered territory for me and I have some basic tools, but nothing elaborate. I figured the best handle to go with would be wood. My questions is this. What would be the easiest, less costly way to stabilize wood?
Also, does anyone recommend a good wood to start with, or is really just a matter of personal preference? Thanks ahead for any suggestions.

 

[mete]

The best way is to buy stabilized wood.There's a big selection available.

 

[Liveitloud]

Hey mete thanks for the response. Since I posted this I found the archive and think that it's best to let the professionals do what they do best. I had picked up some etched Buffalo scales at the show yesterday but after looking at their thickness, I'm thinking I would shape the design right off of them trying to get them flush with the bolster.
Guess this would be easier if I didn't have more questions than answers.

 

[Rob!]

You aren't really going to re-handle a Loveless are you? This is a loveless 'style' drop point right?

There are attractive products that don't need stabilizing - micarta - G10 - Dymondwood...

There are some woods that don't need stabilizing (or can't be stabilized) ironwood - cocobolo...

There are all kinds of "stabilized" scales available but be careful about the loose use of the word stabilized particularly on ebay.

If you have a special piece you've found that you'd like to have stabilized, send it to WSSI www.stabilizedwood.com IMHO, the best and reasonably priced as well.

If you want to experiment with sole authorship by doing your own stabilizing, that is another whole question. Do a good search in these forums because it has been discussed at great length.

Welcome to the addiction

Rob!

 

[Liveitloud]

Welcome to the addiction

It's awful isn't it. I have been looking at the leg on my chair thinking it might look good with a beautiful hunk of steel coming out the end. The loveless was bought as a blank so it wouldn't be a re handle if I'm understanding you correctly.
I am on the site you mentioned now looking at scales.

You aren't really going to re-handle a Loveless are you? This is a loveless 'style' drop point right?

Why am I worried from that response?

I like the ironwood. I didn't realize that it did not need to be stabilized. I can tell I'm gonna screw up some stuff on the 1st project. At least I can get a chuckle over it someday.

 

[Jared Stenoien]

an actual loveless blade would be worth way too much to try and rehandle yourself as a first project, but a loveless style on the otherhand would be fine

 

[Liveitloud]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. When I picked it up they called it a loveless style. Believe me it didn't cost that much. Here are a few shots. As you will see, I'm not much of a photographer either.

 

[WEB2]

i do most of my scaling of knives with a belt sander clamped in a vise, i did finally get a small 1x30 belt grinder.
my 2 cents on this, you can use a small flexible plastic piece between the bolster and wood. example, yellow plastic from a yellow milk jug or cleaned anti-freeze jug. silver bolster, yellow thin insert and nice walnut scales wouldn't look bad. the plastic helps hide the "not so exact fit" of wood to bolster and it looks good.
i have acquired some nice wood from pallets; ash, oak, maple, cedar, just to name some.
after i have installed the scales and they are sanded smooth i put two coats of cheap super glue on them(use rubber gloves), sanding with steel wool between and after coating. hope this helps. my two cents.