Making custom scales for a barlow

A truly great tutorial, thank you for taking the effort to educate us.

Does anyone have any pics of a shadow type Barlow sans bolsters? I want to do this to an unused mint imperial Barlow, but possibly without any bolsters, just solid slabs of wood.
Wondering what that might look like 🤔.
 
Thank you for this tutorial! I’m in the process of replacing bone scales on a Case Barlow, hopefully without completely disassembling the knife (by which I mean I’m trying to avoid drilling out the pivot pin). I’ve hit a snag, though, because I’ve discovered that bone dust has the most godawful smell imaginable. It makes any workspace smell like something’s burning. I’ll probably end up doing most of the shaping work by hand with files (and outdoors). Are there files made specifically for working with bone? The metal files I’m using don’t remove the material as aggressively as I’d prefer.
 
hsherzfeld said:
Thank you for this tutorial! I’m in the process of replacing bone scales on a Case Barlow, hopefully without completely disassembling the knife (by which I mean I’m trying to avoid drilling out the pivot pin). I’ve hit a snag, though, because I’ve discovered that bone dust has the most godawful smell imaginable. It makes any workspace smell like something’s burning. I’ll probably end up doing most of the shaping work by hand with files (and outdoors). Are there files made specifically for working with bone? The metal files I’m using don’t remove the material as aggressively as I’d prefer.
Click to expand...

You'd likely need to use files with a more aggressive bite on them. However, along with that, it will make the bone rougher, which will require more sanding to smooth things out.
 
glennbad said:
You'd likely need to use files with a more aggressive bite on them. However, along with that, it will make the bone rougher, which will require more sanding to smooth things out.
Click to expand...
I realize that aggressive files will require more cleanup on the outer scale surfaces. My main concern is removing material from the back sides of the scales so that they are tapered to match the bolster taper.
 
BJE said:
A truly great tutorial, thank you for taking the effort to educate us.

Does anyone have any pics of a shadow type Barlow sans bolsters? I want to do this to an unused mint imperial Barlow, but possibly without any bolsters, just solid slabs of wood.
Wondering what that might look like 🤔.
Click to expand...

Here ya go BJE. This was a factory sample. A shield was added to the knife after the pic was taken but I don't have a shot of that:

Canal Street Lignum Vitae.jpg


Eric
 
hsherzfeld said:
I realize that aggressive files will require more cleanup on the outer scale surfaces. My main concern is removing material from the back sides of the scales so that they are tapered to match the bolster taper.
Click to expand...
Coarse (40-60 grit) sandpaper on a flat plate and move the scales over them.
When close make a figure-8 movement to keep them flat. Holowing out the middle also helps but comes with risk
 
Hengelo_77 said:
Coarse (40-60 grit) sandpaper on a flat plate and move the scales over them.
When close make a figure-8 movement to keep them flat. Holowing out the middle also helps but comes with risk
Click to expand...
Don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I’ve never heard the figure-8 part before.

I think I’ll try it this weekend; I’ve dyed some bone slabs with Fiebing’s leather dye and it brought out a nice sawcut pattern. I’m eager to see how it will contrast with smooth bone after sanding.
 
glennbad said:
The last main step is to knock down the pins on the bolsters. You can use a file for this. Take them down to as close to flush as you can. Then you can use your sandpaper in progressively finer grits to get things smoothed out on the bolsters and the rest of the knife. Unless you have a sander or buffer, there are no shortcuts on this step, but it is the most rewarding part of the process.

View attachment 2358125


So here is the finished knife.


View attachment 2358127
View attachment 2358128
View attachment 2358129



I had to restore all the pics, as Photobucket wasn't being helpful....hope you enjoy, if you haven't seen these before!
Click to expand...
I've learnt a lot looking over your shoulder with this thread Glennbad, thanks so much for sharing. Your work is precise and clean.
 
ed_is_dead said:
I've learnt a lot looking over your shoulder with this thread Glennbad, thanks so much for sharing. Your work is precise and clean.
Click to expand...
Haha, clearly that must be good photo editing. Thanks for the kind words!
 
glennbad said:
Haha, clearly that must be good photo editing. Thanks for the kind words!
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for reporting this! I wish I would have seen it before I started restoring my own Imperial Barlow the hard way, but pain and frustration are great teachers I guess.

Here is mine that did not turn out nearly as good as yours, but I am happy I was able to complete it.

https://imgur.com/a/QLByxTl
 
Wow, that’s a thin one, bet you don’t even feel that in the pocket.
 
BJE said:
Wow, that’s a thin one, bet you don’t even feel that in the pocket.
Click to expand...
If you are talking about mine, this was the first time I had used a bench sander and definitely let it get away from me. That is also the cause of the angled grind, but you live and you learn I guess.
 
PenisMightier said:
If you are talking about mine, this was the first time I had used a bench sander and definitely let it get away from me. That is also the cause of the angled grind, but you live and you learn I guess.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have been down that road myself a few times. Nice work on those bolsters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top