Mark Knapp Handles

TK Steingass

TK Steingass

Troglodyte Knifemaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
5,763
Greetings All, I've been hankering to build a knife with something other than the stuff I've been using for the past 15 years. What came to mind is a Mark Knapp WIP where he showed us how he makes those cool handles that look like snake skin. Sadly, that WIP is no longer to be found on Bladeforums or anywhere else on the web. I don't have the brain power to figure out how to make this type of handle - do any of you fellas have some pointers? I contacted Mark but haven't heard back from him. Is this cool or what!!??? I would love to make just one decent one of these before I go to the big rodeo in the sky! :cool:

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Mark always makes exceptional knives. I really like the spacer used at both ends of the handle - looks like a wavy copper between two brass discs and filled with black epoxy. Is that correct? It sure does look good.
 
The second one was a mosaic block made up of a bunch of small wood shapes. If I remember right, the wavy metal spacer had black leather in between. That was a good WIP WAY back in the day.
 
I remember seeing the original thread but not exactly how he did it. I would think you could do something similar with strips of wood, a router table and some different edge round over and half round cutters. Cut the strips into short lengths then reglue into blocks.
 
TK Steingass said:
Greetings All, I've been hankering to build a knife with something other than the stuff I've been using for the past 15 years. What came to mind is a Mark Knapp WIP where he showed us how he makes those cool handles that look like snake skin. Sadly, that WIP is no longer to be found on Bladeforums or anywhere else on the web. I don't have the brain power to figure out how to make this type of handle - do any of you fellas have some pointers? I contacted Mark but haven't heard back from him. Is this cool or what!!??? I would love to make just one decent one of these before I go to the big rodeo in the sky! :cool:

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Mark Knapp

Thread 'Finished mosaic handle WIP pics w/sheath finally'

I use several methods to make mosaic handles, some of them involve making your own cutters and some sophisticated machines. This technique only requires a good band saw. Many of you will recognize the wood I am using as the free samples of bubinga and lacewood that Mark at Burl Source was giving away (he even gives free stuff to other dealers) I decided to use those woods for this because thier colors and textures contrast well. What I'm about to reveal are closely gaurded secrets of some of the finest craftmen known throughout history so try not to spread it around too much.:D:D...
 
Tim I think this may be the thread you're talking about, all the photos are gone though. Mark explain using a mill to create a scale pattern.
 
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