Project Advice

J

John K

Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
175
Got a few questions for a project-I'm thinking about replacing the scales on one of my M43s with new wood, possibly ironwood. However, before I really dick this one up, I would like as much information as possible.

1. What is the best way to remove the buttplate?

2. How peened over are the pins holding the scales in place? Will I need to grind them down before heating the laha to loosen the scales?

3. How is the bolster fixed to the knife? Is it peened to the blade itself or will it come loose with the scales when I heat the laha?

Thanks for any and all advice!

john k
 
1 - do you plan on keeping the buttplate?

2 - They're usually not "peened over" as much as they are just "smashed into place" to fill the void. Make sense? The holes are usually tapered. Again, the question remains "Do you intend to keep the pins? or use new ones?"

3 - It is usually pressed into place. I may come loose after removing the scales, but sometimes needs "encouragement" :D
 
I thought that I would try to reuse the buttplate-but I'm dead set on it, but the pins I figured would not be reusable. So let's assume new buttplate and new pins.

john k
 
1 - Grind off the very tip of the tang (should be protruding out the center of the buttplate) - it is peened over. Remove the keeper with a chisel if necessary(usually falls off). Should be able to remove the buttplate now - if not, heat up the buttplate with a heat gun, or by putting it in a pot of boiling water. That will loosen up any laha.

2 - If you're not keeping the pins, I would go ahead and slip a thin saw between the handle and the tang and saw through them. They are very soft. Then, once you've nearly reached the bolster, pull the handle off.

This has worked great for me lately. No heat gun, no boiling water. Just a thin saw blade riding against the tang. Take it slow and you'll do fine.

If that's too scary, put it in boiling water for 10 minutes and the whole handle will practically fall apart in your hands.

3 - If you use the water method, the bolster will come loose too. Be forewarned - this will make a mess of any pan you use. Get an old coffee-can (or similar size) and use that instead.

If you use the saw method, there will be a good chance that part of the handle will pop off and stay inside the bolster. That's ok. Dig it out with a chisel - should pop out. If not, then you'll need to use the water method.




Additional advice for others reading this - this only applies to chiruwa khukuris. If you have a hidden tang, then you will have to remove the pin before you can take the handle off. This will require soaking in a pot of boiling water. Alternative is to drill out the pin, but that can be messy and a bit dangerous.
 
Thank You! This will get me started, but I'm sure there will be more questions posted.

john k
 
Good advice from Dan.

If I ever have to replace and not just repair a handle, I'll probably go the boiling water route.



munk
 
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