Question about liners and wood handles

[xaman]

I'm wanting to modify a Puma bowie (has some really poor stag for handles) by putting some wood on it. I know that most fixed blades have liners between the tang and the wood... I'm guessing this is purposeful??? If necessary, what material is appropriate?

Thanks!

 

[frugalweaver]

I've seen and made plenty of wood handles without liners. I think they are mostly decorative, but one reason could be something of a shock absorber.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Liners can be purely decorative, but some are used on carbon steel blades to keep corrosion from starting under the scales.
Bill

 

[JohnR7]

one reason could be something of a shock absorber.

Another reason is that they could equalize the difference between the wood and the hard metal when it comes to expansion and shrinking. The liner is usually a very soft metal like brass.