Please guide my handle search.

J

Jamesh Bond

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
1,760
Hey guys. Pretty out of my element on this one. Did some searching, and posted a thread in the Cold Steel Forum.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1413940-Re-handle-tutorials-around

I realized shortly after that I would have better luck here. Mods, apologies if this is considered a double post. Please forgive any error or breach of etiquette.

I'm kind of modifying my question here.

I'm after the simplest way to attach a new handle to a narrow, flat full tang. Please know my experience is absolute zero, and tools VERY limited.

I'm looking for the most cost effective, idiot proof ideas I can find, hopefully with the possibility of not ending up trashy and ghetto.

I would like to use micarta or G10, but I'll settle on wood if it's easier. Simple is good. Don't even need a guard. One simple piece is what I'm picturing. Basically a radius ed rectangle with some contours.

I realize the gist would be to use scales of sorts, with a relief cut in to conceal the tang. Epoxy and clamp. Then finish with rasp, etc.

I also considered the option of soaking strips in Epoxy and wrapping them around to create my own micarta. Then curing and shaping. I have no idea if this is legit or retarded.

Please point me in the right direction, gentlemen. I really appreciate the time you took to read this.

Thx.
 
I will attempt later. Didn't bother cause ive never had luck posting pics. Computer took a crap so I'm on my phone.

The blade is an old Cold Steel Master Hunter. Google shows tons of pics of rehandle jobs and naked tangs and even some x rays for this blade.

Unfortunately I couldn't find a dumbass-proof handle tutorial matching what I was after.

Sorry guys, couldn't think of the correct term, but I'm pretty sure it's "hidden tang."

Apologies for the sloppiness of the question.

Running on fumes today. I'll get back to you when I'm not so loopy!

Regards.
 
The way you describe in your first post is the way a lot of guys do it. Take two scales and mortise out half the tangs thickness on each scale and then pin them together.

With limited tools and experience, actually doing a solid block, full handle might be easier than mortising out a tang. All you would need is a drill press and a long drill bit, some files and sandpaper, epoxy and a piece of wood.

Give it a shot.....it's not as difficult as it might seem at first if you think it through.
 
John, since this is a knife repair, would the tang not be hardened which would make it hard to drill?
 
An easy way to do it is three pieces, instead of 1 or 2 so you don't have to mortise. Cut out the center piece to fit the tang, file it down so it's the same thickness as the tang, and then put scales on either side.
 
aarongb, i had a blackjack brand knife that was built the same way. kind of like an all wood frame handle. seems very easy to do.
 
aarongb said:
An easy way to do it is three pieces, instead of 1 or 2 so you don't have to mortise. Cut out the center piece to fit the tang, file it down so it's the same thickness as the tang, and then put scales on either side.
Click to expand...

Hey! Now there's an easy way around it. It's always the most obvious stuff I miss!

Sorry guys, I'm still having trouble with pics. I know it might be possible with Tampa talk, but that app passes me off and crashes my phone. The tutorial I read on this site was for computers.

And frankly, I don't think it's necessary now.

More specifics now:

Can you guys please advise a cost effective epoxy? I do use this knife hard. I have no other use for epoxy after this, so I don't need much.

Also, would the idea of wrapping the tang with soaked cloth to build it up into a micarta or sorts work at all? Mostly just curious here. I'm sure it would be a pain.

Keep em coming gents. Much obliged!
 
I'd stick to a good marine grade epoxy like West system G-flex. I think you can get it in smaller portions at some marine supply stores, or online.
 
Jamesh Bond said:
Hey! Now there's an easy way around it. It's always the most obvious stuff I miss!

Sorry guys, I'm still having trouble with pics. I know it might be possible with Tampa talk, but that app passes me off and crashes my phone. The tutorial I read on this site was for computers.

And frankly, I don't think it's necessary now.

More specifics now:

Can you guys please advise a cost effective epoxy? I do use this knife hard. I have no other use for epoxy after this, so I don't need much.

Also, would the idea of wrapping the tang with soaked cloth to build it up into a micarta or sorts work at all? Mostly just curious here. I'm sure it would be a pain.

Keep em coming gents. Much obliged!
Click to expand...

You need to vacuum or press the layers to minimize voids. It's much cheaper to just buy what you need than making it, if you want to do it well. G10 and Micarta are cheap at places like AKS.
 
Ken- I'm not sure the tangs are hard on those. I rehandled a few way back in the day and seemed like I could drill through the tang easy enough.
 
Sweet!

I think I have something to go on now.
Thanks for your time gents. I'll keep checking back if anyone would like to add thoughts. And I'm sure I'll have more questions come up along the way.

Appreciate the guidance!
 
When I put handles on my first knives, very few people even had computers. (Or knew what they were.)
No one to ask.
Suck it up - just get some "stuff" and put it on.
Learn something.
Do better the next time.
 
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