- Joined
- Nov 16, 2005
- Messages
- 1,150
First off, thanks to everyone who responded to my first thread. I got in touch with the blademaker off of Ebay (snakeriverknives) and he's making me four matched damascus blades for my projects. Great guy so far, and he's giving me a very fair price.:thumbup:
Now, part two. Handles. I can't quite make up my mind. Stabilized wood, G-10, or green canvas micarta. I see a benefit in each. I really like the Burl wood, I have a few things made with it and I'm very fond of it. Problem is, I can't find four sets of scales that are similar. G-10, I'm unsure of, I don't have a G-10 handled knife. It looks very shapeable, if I use it I would shape it similar to a Trident knife. Very rugged (my wife calls it "flintstone'ish"), but contoured to fit the hand. I don't know how hard it is to work with though. I am most familiar with the feel of Micarta. I like it a lot also, but I have read that it is not easy to work with and should not be used for a first time build.
This will be a full tang knife, and I'd like to use mosaic pins. I like a beefy handle, so the thicker I can get the material, the better. I don't plan on using a bolster or spacers. Just epoxy and pins straight to the tang. As for tools, I have all the basics, and some good files. I also live near a wood hobby shop that is pretty well equiped, so I should be ok in that respect.
I would greatly apreciate any advice on materials, and where to buy them. I want this to be a succesful project so that I feel more inclined to build more knives. Ease of use rates just as highly (if not more so) as finished appeal, I like all of the choices. Also, if there is a thread, or a simple "How to" on handling, could someone please point me in the right direction? I don't mind buying a book, but I also don't have a lot of time. It seems to be fairly common sense, and I'd like to think I'll do ok, but if there are any lessons learned that will help me out, please share them.
Again, thanks for the help so far. I promise to post pictures during my build so you guys can laugh, or cry along with me as I stumble through it!
Now, part two. Handles. I can't quite make up my mind. Stabilized wood, G-10, or green canvas micarta. I see a benefit in each. I really like the Burl wood, I have a few things made with it and I'm very fond of it. Problem is, I can't find four sets of scales that are similar. G-10, I'm unsure of, I don't have a G-10 handled knife. It looks very shapeable, if I use it I would shape it similar to a Trident knife. Very rugged (my wife calls it "flintstone'ish"), but contoured to fit the hand. I don't know how hard it is to work with though. I am most familiar with the feel of Micarta. I like it a lot also, but I have read that it is not easy to work with and should not be used for a first time build.
This will be a full tang knife, and I'd like to use mosaic pins. I like a beefy handle, so the thicker I can get the material, the better. I don't plan on using a bolster or spacers. Just epoxy and pins straight to the tang. As for tools, I have all the basics, and some good files. I also live near a wood hobby shop that is pretty well equiped, so I should be ok in that respect.
I would greatly apreciate any advice on materials, and where to buy them. I want this to be a succesful project so that I feel more inclined to build more knives. Ease of use rates just as highly (if not more so) as finished appeal, I like all of the choices. Also, if there is a thread, or a simple "How to" on handling, could someone please point me in the right direction? I don't mind buying a book, but I also don't have a lot of time. It seems to be fairly common sense, and I'd like to think I'll do ok, but if there are any lessons learned that will help me out, please share them.
Again, thanks for the help so far. I promise to post pictures during my build so you guys can laugh, or cry along with me as I stumble through it!