Questions for my second knife

[chrisa62401]

So. I bought a Delta 5 kit from texasknife.com. It has front and rear bolsters. I'm a little confused as to the order of assembly. Should I fit he bolsters then the scales and finish both together?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On that kit, you fit the bolsters and trim them flush along the edges. If you are going to solder the bolsters, do that now,too. Then fit the scales. Once the scales are installed, you shape the scales and bolsters together.

 

[chrisa62401]

On that kit, you fit the bolsters and trim them flush along the edges. If you are going to solder the bolsters, do that now,too. Then fit the scales. Once the scales are installed, you shape the scales and bolsters together.

In my research I have found that some people glue and pin the bolsters. Any opinion on that? Also, do you think an angle grinder will do a good enough job shaping the bolsters?

Thanks

Chris

P.S. this would be so much easier if I could do it in photoshop, my area of expertise.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Use files. Angle grinders are for rough shaping bar stock, not for handle shaping on sharp bladed knives. A 1X30 HF belt sander is a good entry level tool for basic shaping and handle work.

Gluing bolsters with epoxy will seal things, but won't help the looks. You will have to watch any heat build up if glue is used, or the glue will burn out.
Soldering isn't required if you are not up to that level yet.

 

[chrisa62401]

So. I wasn't doing too bad up until this point.

Then upon closer inspection I found that the bolsters were skewed. They didn't line up with the finger guards on the knife. The top was the worst and I ended up taking them off.

Not sure how I could have fixed this before attaching them. They were over on one side and under on the other.
The bottom finger guard is off a little but I'm going to try and fix it.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The fit isn't exact. You just grind/file them even after attaching the bolsters.

 

[chrisa62401]

Worked on it some more last night. I also found out about a local knife maker who happens to be a good friend of my wife's uncle and a patient of my wife's at the VA clinic. I am going to get together with him soon.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Looks good.

 

[fast14riot]

Looks good so far! I haven't done a kit knife in a while, they are fun and can be personalized or embellished for a more custom look.


-Xander