- Joined
- Jul 7, 2013
- Messages
- 2,614
I wanted to do a quick little WIP, on how I bevel the front of my scales on a full tang knife. This may be similar to how others do it, but I figured this way out through trial and error. It is also based on the equipment that I have in my shop. This is one way to get it done, and it works for me.
Here's an example of how it looks when finished (not the knife in this WIP)
I start by tracing my tang outline onto the inside of my scales. I do this with the pins press fit, in order to keep everything lined up.
Once the scales are roughed out on my band saw, I put them back on the tang again. Next I draw a line in pencil, where I want the front of my scales to be. I also pencil in the general shape of the front of the scale. This prevents me from getting too close to that front pin.
Next I square up my platen with my work rest, using a 1-2-3 block. It's important that everything is square in order to keep the fronts of the scales symmetrical.
Next, I place the scales together and press fit the pins into them to keep them together. Next I grind to my penciled in line. I like a curve on the front of the scale, but some prefer them to be flat.
Then I angle my platen to start getting the front of the scale beveled. Don't start with too steep of an angle, or you may grind right up to your front pin. You can always increase the angle, but you can't decrease it
Grind the angle on the first scale, slightly over the center line of the scales. This will be corrected when you flip everything over and grind the other side.
Then flip it over and grind the other side. Move up through the various grits until you're happy with the finish on the front of the scale.
On your final grit, make sure that your center line is perfect. If you want, this can be done with sand paper on a granite plate as well.
Now the scales are ready to be glued to your tang.
I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions, or suggestions on other ways to do this then please feel free to comment.
Here's an example of how it looks when finished (not the knife in this WIP)
I start by tracing my tang outline onto the inside of my scales. I do this with the pins press fit, in order to keep everything lined up.
Once the scales are roughed out on my band saw, I put them back on the tang again. Next I draw a line in pencil, where I want the front of my scales to be. I also pencil in the general shape of the front of the scale. This prevents me from getting too close to that front pin.
Next I square up my platen with my work rest, using a 1-2-3 block. It's important that everything is square in order to keep the fronts of the scales symmetrical.
Next, I place the scales together and press fit the pins into them to keep them together. Next I grind to my penciled in line. I like a curve on the front of the scale, but some prefer them to be flat.
Then I angle my platen to start getting the front of the scale beveled. Don't start with too steep of an angle, or you may grind right up to your front pin. You can always increase the angle, but you can't decrease it
Grind the angle on the first scale, slightly over the center line of the scales. This will be corrected when you flip everything over and grind the other side.
Then flip it over and grind the other side. Move up through the various grits until you're happy with the finish on the front of the scale.
On your final grit, make sure that your center line is perfect. If you want, this can be done with sand paper on a granite plate as well.
Now the scales are ready to be glued to your tang.
I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions, or suggestions on other ways to do this then please feel free to comment.
