polypropylene shaping

[noviomagus]

So I have noticed some machetes have large handles,not overly large, but I would like them to be a little less in circumference to make the grip perfect.

Is it possible to change the size of the polypropylene handle with a file and sandpaper . Has anybody done this with good looking effect.

 

[TravisH]

Sure, depending on how thick the material is, extensive modifications are possible.

Start with 100 grit, maybe 80 if a lot of shaping is required. Progress up to 400 depending on how smooth you want the finish.


Good looking?! For a machete?!

Well, sanding plastic usually removes the shine resulting in satin finishes.

 

[noviomagus]

I was thinking about the CS Smatchet.It has a wide grip.
Though Condor has some large handles as well (Dundee Bowie, Bolo).

If I make the belly of the handle a little more straight,less pronounced, than it would probably fit my hand better.
As long as I don't get too close near the tang..
So 80 grit should make for fast removal.

With good looking I mean , not messed up.
Like one Condor Barong I saw with some kind of melted polypropylene handle.
That was not a project I would like to see on my machete handles.

It doesn't need to win a beauty contest, for I put tacky racket handle tape over the handle to make it more stick in the hand.

 

[TravisH]

According to this thread, the Condor handles are solid ...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/855720-Condor-12-quot-Bolo-Initial-Impressions

Goggle results say the CS Smatchet handles are solid too.

So I'd feel comfortable sanding those handles down as much as I wanted. Doesn't matter even it hits the tang, they're not likely to come off easily.

BTW, I did a similar mod to my Mora Companion HD, using 120 grit on a spindle sander to reduce the handle belly. Made it more comfortable with gloves.

 

[noviomagus]

Cool .

That was my worry, that if I would reach , or come near the tang, the tang might split easily out of the handle.
I will probably not go with the sandpaper that far.
But I do like the smaller to medium handle grips.
They are harder to get out of the hand(like in medieval swords), and give me better control as well.
Thinking of the CS Shanghai Warrior, which has a much more narrow handle.
Which is excellent to me.
Or the standard Mora Companion..

The Mora Companion HD..
That was exactly the reason I sold them(had a few), and I have only the Mora Companion 2mm thickness now.
The belly was too far protruding on the HD.
Making it suited for only one grip.And even then it was too much.
So you can sand the rubber of that knife too.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

If you want to restore the shine you can lightly fan the plastic with a torch.

 

[TravisH]

So you can sand the rubber of that knife too.

Yep.

Mora Companions have 3/4 stick tangs. You could grind off the entire 'belly' (palm swell) and not hit the tang. I didn't go that far, just about half. I also drilled a .25" lanyard hole in the pommel.

 

[noviomagus]

If you want to restore the shine you can lightly fan the plastic with a torch.

Ok, that's good to hear that.
And a sandpaper 1000 grit makes it nice and smooth also I would think..

Yep.

Mora Companions have 3/4 stick tangs. You could grind off the entire 'belly' (palm swell) and not hit the tang. I didn't go that far, just about half. I also drilled a .25" lanyard hole in the pommel.

The Mora's are great tough little knives. Low price , high performance.
They are my favorite smaller fixed blades.

But sanding the belly off makes it that you go through the rubber into the polypropylene part?

A lanyard hole in the Mora handle has crossed my mind also.
Small changes in a knife to suit it to your own needs is a great thing, I think.
We all have differ size hands and preferences.