Radiusing front of handle slabs

[TooQuiet]

Can you guys guys share some of your techniques(pics are a +) on how you radius tha handle neared the ricasso?

 

[John Katt]

I bought a drum sander kit and use it in my drill press, not the best way, but it works, bad part the sleeves are AO grit and wear out fast,

 

[Remyrw]

On the grinder contact wheel, which has obviously been a serious influence on my designs. I've also used a small drum sander in the drill press but decided it wasn't worth it.

I do plan to get a small wheel attachment with 3/4, 1, 1.25 and 1.5" wheels. That will give me from 3/4" to 2" in reasonable increments since my grinder's upper wheel on the platen setup is a 2" rubber contact wheel.

ETA: If you mean the FRONT, not the bottom, I do that freehand on the platen and then with hand sanding. I have the two pieces together and aligned by pins through the holes. I trace a general pattern on my scales to match the knife and then remove most of the excess in whatever manner is easiest, then to shape the front and finish it completely. After attaching the handles to the knife the only thing I'll do to that area is apply a finish like oil or wax when doing it to the rest of the handle. I do sand the sides up there post attachment, to refine the shape. I tape the blade before attaching handles just to reduce the chances for scratches and such. I leave room for the handle to go on without the tape being in the way of cleaning up glue leakage. Then once that's done I put a few layers of tape right up to the face of the scales to protect the steel while sanding.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I cut out my scales, and pre-drill the holes for the rivets. Then stick some rivet stock or bolts in and tape the scales together tight( no blade). Next, grind the front to the curve you want and bull-nose it enough to make it curve up to the sides. Sand to at least 400 grit and buff well. This will get that area finished, as you can't shape and sand it after assembly. Assemble the handle and finish the handle sides as desired.

 

[TooQuiet]

I cut out my scales, and pre-drill the holes for the rivets. Then stick some rivet stock or bolts in and tape the scales together tight( no blade). Next, grind the front to the curve you want and bull-nose it enough to make it curve up to the sides. Sand to at least 400 grit and buff well. This will get that area finished, as you can't shape and sand it after assembly. Assemble the handle and finish the handle sides as desired.

How do you do the "bull nose"?

 

[lonepine]

The important thing is to do it BEFORE you put the handle scales permanently on the tang.

I try to get that portion to the final stage of finish because I can't work on it anymore once the scales are glued and pinned to the tang. I've started going so far as to even apply TruOil (my finish of choice for wood) to that portion before affixing the scales to the tang.

- Paul Meske

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

My reply must have not come through???
Bull nose is the term for rounding the end of something from side to side. Just shape the end curve, and then roll the scales from side to side....rounding the end up onto the sides. Sand and buff this to the final finish, as you can't work it after assembly. Once on the tang, shape the handle and the ricasso end will be already done.