new to this looking for advice

S

sgtking

Joined
Jan 19, 2015
Messages
44
Hey guys,*
So I'm extremely new to this and I've been trying to decide if I want to peen or use other methods of securing the scales. Could yall please post some pics of what you've done with all types. I'm just wanting to see what they look like before I commit.
Thanks
 
Take a look over in the For Sale area and also Custom and Hand Made section.I sure you will see something you want to try.
 
Corbey rivets seem to be the easiest to me. They screw together and then you grind the head off. You check them out. I use the 3/16 ones. They end up looking like pins.
 
You will get more response if you do more of the footwork. First google how to attach knife scales. Then google pictures of them if that is your question.

Otherwise it looks like you want these experienced people to do your basic research for you and go through the trouble of finding and posting pictures before you even decide if you want to do something or not.

To get you started you can attach scales with:

pins (metal and otherwise)
mosaic pins
peened pins
corby bolts
loveless bolts
hidden bolts

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head as I am relatively new to this as well. It's a cool hobby though for sure.

As mentioned before, they all pretty much look the same after grinding except you can have two different metals with the loveless bolts and many many patterns with the mosaic pins.
 
I'm not asking anyone to do research for me. I want to see what ppl on the forum have accomplished using different styles
 
google images knife photos, different keywords

You will find enough images to keep you busy for years.
 
I'm currently working on my first knife. I thought about many of the different options - Corby Bolts, Loveless Bolts, Hidden Tangs, Bolsters, etc.

For me personally, it seemed like I was adding an extra and unnecessary level of difficulty to the process. Learning how to do the first knife right is hard enough, IMO, without trying to figure out did I countersink enough? Did I countersink too much? Did I figure the width right so I don't grind through the head on the Corby?

I may be wrong, but I believe the only pins you would peen would be if you used metal bolsters or all metal scales. In everything I've read and every video I've watched, I've never seen anybody peen a pin on any Micarta or Bone or Wood. Like I said, I could very well be wrong about that, as I am very new to this.

I decided to go with epoxy and straight pins for my first knife. After I feel I've learned the blade making process well enough, I will start looking at other handle options. Of course, YMMV
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes I did Google all the different methods. I think I've just been over thinking it. I freaked myself out wanting my first knife to be perfect. I'm somewhat a perfectionist...
 
Piening pins isn't all that hard and you can use em on just about anything, if you are careful and take precautions to prevent splitting. Flared pins have been securing scales to handles for many a year. Bolts and epoxy are relative newcomers to the knife world...

Oh and give up on your first knife being prefect. Ask any pro knife maker or bladesmith on here if they have ever made a prefect knife, I bet that not a single one will claim that they have.

Don't get me wrong STRIVE, FIGHT and WORK for perfection, but don't expect it. You'll always see the imperfections in your work, even if everyone else says it's prefect.
 
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There is a knife makers gallery section to the forums.
If you make your first knife perfect, whats the point of making a second knife?
 
One more question for a first knife would you recommend building a kit knife or from scrap? And to get started I'm not trying to throw my whole paycheck into it to get started what are the important basic tools needed to get off the ground.
 
sgtking said:
Thanks for the replies. Yes I did Google all the different methods. I think I've just been over thinking it. I freaked myself out wanting my first knife to be perfect. I'm somewhat a perfectionist...
Click to expand...

good start... being somewhat of a perfectionist is the only way to make a really good knife. it's what keeps you up at night thinking of a way to make stuff better
 
Sgtking, don't use scrap. Buy steel that you know what it is. Some steel (like the welding steel at lowes) won't harden no matter what you do with.
 
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