Newbie questions

H

harrington

Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
65
Hello from Austraila,
I have a few questions to ask all you pro knife makers.

I would like to put an end plate on an antler handle and am not sure how to secure it to the antler, also I would like to do one of those fancy square braided fobs that you see in the mags. Would anyone know where I can down load a how to?

Thanks H.
 
There are several methods that work very well. 1) You can use a piece of threaded rod on the end of the tang, tap and thread the butt cap and screw it on.2) Drill all the way through and use a decrative nut. 3) I use this one the most. Drill two holes through the butt cap, counter sink the holes for screws. Use screws to match the butt plate material (brass, stainless for nickel silver or stainless). Drill undersize holes in the antler, use a little epoxy, screw the plate on the antler. Let the screw heads be slightly above the plate. Grind the heads down to the surface, buff and polish. Be sure the screws go straight into the antler and you should not be able to see the screws when finished.
Rick
 
A quick tip. The sponge area of antler is pretty soft. After you drill the hole; saturate it with super glue. When it dries (in about an hour) it is hard to dig the sponge out with a knife.
 
I've never done one with a ring or "fob" on the butcap, but there are two ways I do an endcap.

One and the strongest is to silver braze a threaded ferral I make out of steel nuts to the back side of the endcap and thread the end cap onto a bolt that I've split and silver brazed to the tange. You have to play with fit to get everything linned up and tight, but it makes for a very secure handle.

The other way I do them is on light duty knives I silver braze a steel stub tang to the endcap and epoxy inplace. This methoud has the advantage of making alianment a lot easier, but don't go to beating on the cap with a 3lb. hammer. It's only for lite skinners and bird and trout sized knives.

If I was wanting a fob on the end I'd probably do like Rick and use a decorative nut with the tange bolt all the way through, and drill a hole in the nut for the fob or a lanyard ring.
 
Thanks for the tips guys.
I think I will try screwing the plate to the end of the handle with matching screws but I also like the sub tang idea Will.

I will let you know how I go.

H.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top