Match The Shape Of Scales?

[AllenMcB]

Just finished my first sheath knife, using spalted maple scales for the handle. It's really pretty, but I'm not satisfied with the way the handle came out.

Oh, it looks good, and feels good, but I'm aware of a couple of small spots where the right side is not an exact mirror of the left side.

Is there a method to making the two sides match when desired, or is it just look, sand, look, sand, look, sand, look?

 

[TekSec]

Yea, I have this issue also. I'd like to see what some of the others have for solutions. I've tried to use one of those template gauges but with the roundness it can be a finicky solution...

 

[bikermikearchery]

Look and sand, look and sand. Helps to hold your tongue just right.

 

[AllenMcB]

Look and sand, look and sand. Helps to hold your tongue just right.

Oh, tongue. That may be the problem............

 

[J.S. Carter]

I use the sand look sand look method. but part of making custom knives is that each is different as long as the flaws are not huge or throw off the lines any then I leave em. There charector, part of what makes it an individual piece. If I wanted something exactly the same though I'd craft the handles to be the right size and shape individually then peen them on.

 

[deker]

You mean at the front of the scales or the shape as you look down at the spine?

-d

 

[AllenMcB]

You mean at the front of the scales or the shape as you look down at the spine?

-d

I was asking about the overall shape, with no low spots or odd spots.

 

[Mike Krall]

Just finished my first sheath knife, using spalted maple scales for the handle. It's really pretty, but I'm not satisfied with the way the handle came out.

Oh, it looks good, and feels good, but I'm aware of a couple of small spots where the right side is not an exact mirror of the left side.

Is there a method to making the two sides match when desired, or is it just look, sand, look, sand, look, sand, look?

Allen,

Establish permanent points to make center lines top, bottom, both sides and the butt. Redrawing the centerlines now and again helps me keep things evenly shaped. I've got pieces of an old steel flat tape I use to run the lines straight... press it into and over humps and dips, then mark. I use black and white lead.

Mike

Mike

 

[AllenMcB]

Allen,
Establish permanent points to make center lines top, bottom, both sides and the butt. Redrawing the centerlines now and again helps me keep things evenly shaped

That makes a lot of sense. I'm working on one now and it's not too late to apply that idea. Thanks, Mike! I'll feel better now when I put the sanding block to it.

 

[Mike Krall]

Allen,

I do drawings of knives before I build them and make a copy of the handle to trace on the squared block. Usually use half the drawing... the half that looks best and trace it on either side of the centerlines on the block. I only do a side-view and top-view so what happens on the bottom is not dialed in... I let my fingers "feel it" into "right"...

Mike