Pre Shaping Handle Slabs

[Frank Eaton]

Anyone have any great techniques for shaping scales on gun coated blades where you can't shape after glueup? Does anyone use a router for shaping?

 

[Fred.Rowe]

A Ranger, I use a router to shape the wooden handles on my hidden tang knives . Once I have cut the handles to shape on the band saw and I have the profiles cut, I clamp the router in a vise with a round over bit in it and run the edges through. Not for amatures though. Watch those fingers. Fred

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You can shape and finish the scales before the gun kote is put on.Just attach the handle with some sort of system that you can undo.I often use a wooden dowel for the "rivets" and after shaping ,sanding,and polishing,carefully drill out the dowel.After the blade is done,reattach the slabs permanently.Corby rivets can also be used to hold the slabs on (with no glue), and removed with an easy-out.Pre drill the male rivet for the easy out before assembly.

 

[Tom Militano]

I just mailed one off that I used Gun Cote on, actually the man who ordered it for his son mailed it. He's an old retired military friend. The blade was 5160 and the handle was stainless. I clamped the canvas micarta to the handle, ground it to the shape of the handle. I took it apart and attached the handle to the blade. I used two sided tape to hold the scales together, contoured them, being very careful not to get real close to the inside edges. Used Corby rivets and it came out pretty good. I didn't have time to get any pictures of it. It was picked up as soon as I finished it and it's on the way to Iraq.

 

[Frank Eaton]

Thanks Guys, I will be using all the advice in some form or fashion.