Making a knife handle

N

nman976

Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Messages
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Hello, today I have decided to go with the enzo trapper blank for a knife project. That said, the woods I want to use are either orang osage (I'm not sure whether Argentina or USA); or curly maple ( again unsure whether to use hard or red leaf, but I still have to dye it to get beautiful pattern).
That being said, the tools I have access too are metal grinder, big saw, and hand drill. I know I will probably need more tools, but in plan to use a mora companion for carving. My plan is to get the turning blanks at approximately the right size, drill them, install brass pins and epoxy with job weld (does it work good for handles?). After that I am not sure, but I presume that taking a knife and carving them out probably isn't a good idea, but this thread left a lot of questions unanswered.

http://www.odellstudios.com/2014/07/enzo-trapper-handle-scales-project.html

So any information on the right wood, tools, or ANYTHING that will help me make a handle will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance,
Nick
 
Both Osage and Maple make great handles.

Depending on your tool budget, a coping saw and a couple of wood rasps will make short work of shaping the handle.

If you prefer power, a bandsaw and belt sander will do it faster but with an increased chance of screwing it up the first time.

Don't use JB weld, there are better two-part expoxies out there for the job. I've had good luck with the ACE and Gorilla brand slow-cure epoxies, but the pros here will recommend others.

There are some great tutorials in the stickies, BTW.
 
Hi, I am new to knifemaking myself but have handled some blanks. With that said, the one tool that has proven itself very useful to have over and over is a dremel type rotary tool.
 
Coarse files work well on handles. You also need a stack of sandpaper from 100 grit to 800 grit. Those and a drill are all you really need.
While epoxy is better, JB Weld would work for mounting a handle.

Once the handle is on the blade ( tape up the blade part well to avoid damage to the finish and to your hands) start shaping the handle bit by bit. Don't do it all in one area, but work it all over until it gets right. When almost to shape with the files/rasp, switch to sandpaper and finish off by going up the grits.

Tip:
Once you have drilled the holes in the handle blanks, stick the pins through them while off the blade and tape tightly together. Shape and sand the front part that will be at the ricasso to at least 400 grit. Once mounted on the blade and glued up, you can't shape that area without damaging the blade. Doing it off the knife first is how you avoid that. Once the front part is shaped and looks good, test fit it on the blade. If all is good, proceed with assemble and shaping the rest.

Filling out your profile is a good thing. It will help with better answers.
 
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