MadDog's Custom Handled GH WW

C

Craig Gottlieb

Joined
Mar 8, 1999
Messages
1,760
MadDog,

Got to hand it to you, your choice of woods is very appealing. Here are the pics you sent me last night for everybody to enjoy:

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Again, great job. Just curious, what kind of glue did you use on the handle?

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Wow, that wasn't quite what I expected(Mad Dog/Kukhri) but looks very nice. What type of wood did you use?
Aaron

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amacks@nist.gov
Don't forget to pay your taxes...they eventually become my knives:)

 
Thanks Craig
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.

I drilled out the center hole from each end with a 1/4" drill and then used a thin round file to shape the inside for the tapered tang of the blade. I then used PIG PUTTY (kneadable epoxy stick) rolled into 1/4" length and slid it into the handle and banged the handle down until the front brass cap was in postion and used a thin stick to smushed the rest in the rear. You have about 5 minutes to work with the epoxy - it has the consistancy of a firm clay. Any excess you can scrap away with a blunt utility knife. Once set up I knead some more to fill the back cap, smushing in as much as it would take. Lastly I peened the end over - lots of firm taps with the tip of the blade inbedded into a scap piece of hardwood.
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The handle is made of cherry
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- scrap from a co-workers end table project.

If anyone is interested in trying some Pig Putty send me an e-mail and I can mail you a sample, or look them up on the web.

Ray 'maddog2020'
 
Ray: I'd love a sample of the pig putty. Could you send me a little? I am really interested in trying to make a handle myself. I have two handle-less models left. However, writing just now, I just discovered a use for two khukuris I've received back from customers (they came back because the waterbuffalo horn cracked during extreme use). I'm going to see if I can knock off the old handle and make a new handle. The only problem I see is securing the butt plate to the already-worked tang nub. Any suggestions?
 
Craig,

Sure, e-mail me your address - I threw out the box, so I don't have a ship to address. A suggestion for the nubs - use a file and carefully file away the peened over section, or try to squish it smaller via VISEGRIPS (don't think enough is really showing for that...lol). Once you remove the mushroomed section, the endcap will come off. I have no idea how hard/easy it is going to be to remove an existing glued horn handle. Unless it is physically lose, just smush some PIG PUTTY into the crack
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. Chances are you can't resell it - but may be some of the BF folks would like to try a handle themselves
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.

If you want send me the damaged one and I can take them apart for you - I usually have some free time after 9pm, or else I would be just shooting the BS w/ people on IRC, or ICQ anyway. May be we can work out something
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: you can't have enough knives...LOL.

Ray 'md2020'
 
Maddog,

Beautiful job on the handle!! From the pictures it looks as if it will fill the hand better than original issue. The small swell at the back/bottom of the handle looks small enough to be comfortable yet big enough to keep the little finger from slipping off during heavy use. Again, nice job.

Craig,

I read in another thread a while back that the handles will come off if you boil them in water for a while. It softens or liquifies the glue mixture. I wouldn't try it in the kitchen though. You may find your wife chasing you around the house with the blade.

As for re-securing the cap, a good welder could probably build up or extend the rat-tail without too much effort then grind it back to desired dimensions. That way you could make the handle as long as you wanted.

Another thought (bear with me, i'm on a roll). What about a leather handle, like on the USMC Ka-Bars? I've seen the leather washers for sale at gun shows. As a matter of fact, I have a stringer of them someplace. I'll be happy to donate them to the cause if you or Maddog want them. Of course, I have to find them first.

Blackdog
 
MadDog and Blackdog: Thanks for the tips. I am going to start playing with the only damaged handle I have right now (It's a World War that also had a forging error on it that I didn't catch when I sent it out). Anyway, the new owner got a bhojpure and was pleased, but I think I'll take that one and boil it like you said. I'll definitely take the donations from both of you (MadDog for the glue and Blackdog for the washers). I guess I should call this one, if it ever gets finished, the Canine special.

Craig
 
Craig,

Sure, I can send you a stick of PP - but I need your mailing address! LOL - send it to me.

You can always call the fixed up knife: Dog House Special
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. I am always in the 'Dog House'....LOL.
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Ray 'md2020'

 
Maddog,

Beautiful job on the handle.

I got one of the handle-less WW models a few weeks back (thanks Craig - no customs delay this time
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). I'm now waiting for some Mulga that I have to season before I use it.

I had initially planned to put a fairly traditional handle on it but after compairing the blade to my Bhojpure (the WW is longer and slimmer) I think I will make it about 2-3 inches longer than normal, with the tang fully enclosed in the handle, to give a bit longer reach.

Andre
 
Andre,

Thanks....I didn't think the handle was that nice
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How are you planning on enclosing the handle and making it 2" - 3" longer? Would you drill a hole and press in a steel pin from the side, or attached a washer and make the handle in two halves and sandwich it in? Longer handle would give you more leverage, but it would also make it feel a lot heavier than it really is because of the shift in the center of gravity. Show us some pics when you are done
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.

Ray 'md2020'

 
Andre - glad there was no custom delay. Incidentally, due to a couple of recent incidents where knives were lost in shipment, I am changing my shipping from US Priority to UPS Ground. It is going to take a little longer than before (a couple of days), but for the same price as US Priority, everybody'll get a tracking number so they can track their package. As for International shipping, I'm going to stick with US Priority for now, but will be investigating UPS International.

MadDog: I'll send you my address!

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Maddog,

I am planning to epoxy the tang into the handle, but rather than drill one size hole to take the tang, I will be making a series of holes of different widths and depths along the same axis. Hopefully the final hole will end up being cone shaped after a bit of file work.

As for balance, I'll just have to wait and see how it comes out, I may end up putting a buttcap on it to even things out.

The wood has about 4 months to go before it's ready to use.

Craig:

If all goes well I will finish of the roll of film with the Bhojpure shots on it this weekend. If they come out OK I will scan and send you a set. I have re-worked the edge of the BP and will try to include it as well.

Andre
 
Andre, thanks for the pics. Excited to see them.

MadDog: your second "project" khukuri went out in today's mail. It should be there by Friday.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Cool Craig
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This elongated SN1 (sort of like a WW) loose handle one could be a leather handled Khukuri (thanks to Blackdog), OR a white micarta one
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I called that company you mentioned to me for a catalog. Another fun weekend nite project on the way - thanks!

Ray 'md2020'




[This message has been edited by maddog2020 (edited 18 August 1999).]
 
Craig,

I took the GH SN1 elongated with the loose handle and started at a stump in my yard -- that handle is LOOSE alright! LOL - I have to take it apart to see what is up w/ it. After about 10 minutes my arm got sore. So I went inside for my funny handled WW, and went at the stump again
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. My wife thinks I am nuts anyway....LOL.

The WW was a better CHOPPER by far -due to the weight. If the SN1 was about 8 oz heavier, and the same length - it would have been close. My handle is actually pretty comfortable thought it isn't traditional.

Ray 'md2020'
 
I told you it was loose! Anyway, I did my own little bit of custom work this weekend - I "silver plated" the brass on a particularly fine bhojpure using a store-bought chemical. Turned out pretty nice - it's sitting on my desk now as the "piece of the week." Not for sale!
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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
Yes, Craig - you warned me it was LOOSE
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Show me the money! Oh.....I mean show me the pic of this silver maiden.
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Ray 'md2020'
 
OK Maddog, the leather washers for the "Dog House Special" are on the way. Got them out Priority Mail about an hour ago.

After looking at them, I figure I could make them easily enough with the right sized hole punches and a few leather belts from the local thrift shop. Let me know if you think it's worth looking into.

Be sure to post some before and after pictures. I'll bet it'll be a downright lovely piece when it's done. A Khukuri with a Ka-Bar handle.......Mmmmmmm, Leather.

I'm sure Craig will be drooling a little when he sees the finished product. Marines are hard-core dudes, but I hear that anything involving good leather and sharp steel gets them a little misty eyed
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Blackdog

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When the world is at peace, a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.......
Sun-Tzu 400 BC

 
Thanks Blackdog, I still am not sure what kind of 'glue' I am suppose to use for attaching the leather to the handle....I have to post that in the knife making section, someone there I am sure will know.

For some reason, I like the leather handles - gives it an old knife look. Leather on the edge is plenty hard and durable. The smell of it I like, too
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Ray 'md2020'

 
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