Rehandling Vintage Old Hickory

imill3567 · Feb 12, 2015

I have what I believe to be (maybe) a vintage old hickory butcher knife that belonged to my grandfather. I've used it a little in the kitchen and it takes a very sharp edge after some work bringing it back but I'd like to pretty it up a little with a new handle and maybe sanding. I was wondering if anyone might know the best way to remove the handle. I think the rivets are similar to corby rivets based on the missing rivet in the picture, so should I just drill out the heads and pry the handles off? Thanks

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samuraistuart · Feb 13, 2015

Yeah, just drill 'em out! Handle should come right off.

imill3567 · Feb 15, 2015

Thanks!

Bill DeShivs · Feb 16, 2015

Those are called "cutler's rivets."

imill3567 · Feb 16, 2015

I figured there was a word for that specific rivet, good to know! Any suggestions on the sanding? I've sanded a few first handmade knives, but I was hoping I could start higher in this case, maybe 400 or 600 grit?

sodak · Feb 18, 2015

Are you going to re-attach with the same size rivets? Are there places that someone can order them? I wouldn't mind re-handling a couple of mine...

imill3567 · Feb 18, 2015

I'm planning on drilling new pin holes between the three existing, most likely just two, because I prefer the aesthetics of smaller pins.

Bill DeShivs · Feb 18, 2015

Several of the knifemaker's supply houses sell cutler's rivets.

Jim L. · Feb 19, 2015

Once you get your old pins out and really clean the tang, re-handle with your choice of material (wood, bone, synthetic). Put some slow cure epoxy on the tang and handle slabs, clamp in place then insert fitted aluminum pins and carefully peen in place.

Jim L.

P.S. Some cow bone slabs over black felt micarta spacers peened in place with copper rod pins would be very nice. jml

deltablade · Sep 16, 2016

Do you glue thew pins, let dry, then peen?

Jim L. said:
Once you get your old pins out and really clean the tang, re-handle with your choice of material (wood, bone, synthetic). Put some slow cure epoxy on the tang and handle slabs, clamp in place then insert fitted aluminum pins and carefully peen in place.

Jim L.

P.S. Some cow bone slabs over black felt micarta spacers peened in place with copper rod pins would be very nice. jml

deltaboy · Sep 17, 2016

It will look great.

smith357 · Sep 17, 2016

The easiest way I have found is to use a wide chisel and gently tap in-between the handle and blade to pop the rivets, and you can reuse the rivets if you choose.

smith357 · Sep 17, 2016

imill3567 said:
I'm planning on drilling new pin holes between the three existing, most likely just two, because I prefer the aesthetics of smaller pins.

I went with small pins with a black liner on my butcher re-handle. You will find you rivet heads are much bigger than the holes in the blade and drilling new holes may not be needed.

sodak · Sep 19, 2016

That's beautiful!