Lizard Skin or...

[Ken_M]

I have a knife with rubber inserts and was thinking of replacing the rubber with some kind of leather or skin. Originally thought lizard skin, dunno why. Guess I like the texture and the exoticness. But was wondering how it would hold up to wear and tear. Otherwise, what other suggestions would be good to use. I wanted to use something with a strong feel to it, good texture and nice patterning/coloring. Also, where can one get these?

Thanks
Ken

 

[T. J.]

The traditional (and very cool) material for this type of thing is same or rawhide from a stingray. It has a cool pebbled surface that wears like iron. It's used traditionaly in the tsuka's (handles) of Nihon-to (japanese swords). Most exotic leather suppliers have it, or you can get it from http://www.japanesesword.com/ or http://www.japanese-swords.com/ or anybody else that restores swords. Since you are just doing inserts on a knife, you could probably email them and ask if they have any peices you could use that are too small for swords, and save a bundle.

James

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