Revisiting Project #1

tryppyr

tryppyr

Joined
Feb 5, 2010
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Now that my handle making skills are somewhat more advanced, I've decided to revisit this project. I carefully cut off the hold handle, and will now begin working on another... probably a stacked handle. This one presents another challenge though, as it has a very short tang (2.5 inches) that has already been compromised with two holes. Let's see if I have what it takes to revive this project.

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- Greg
 
If you have a short tang, using a single piece of material for the handle will be the strongest.
 
I have considered that. In those considerations it occurred to me that I have options. One option is to extend the tang. Another option, similar in principle, is to stack the handle pieces onto a hollow tube that fits over the rear of the tang. I'm leaning toward the second approach at this time.

I've already begun preparing the pieces to be stacked.

- Greg
 
Or, a bit of both.

From the ricasso back to the first hole, stack your stuff. From first hole back, use one long piece for contrast and handle length. It could look very nice depending on what you do, and sure to be stronger than a tube thing.

Or attach a bit of all-thread to the end of the tang.....
 
I finally did find (after several failed attempts) some black all-thread, so that it an option. As an aside, don't even bother looking at Lowes or Home Depot. Everything they have is either galvanized or zinc plated. The local Ace Hardware store had it.
 
For now I've decided to go with the tube approach to solving the tang length problem. The tube is brass (about 1/4 to 3/8 inch diameter, I think). The end that slips over the tang has been flattened down to allow it to fit over the tapered tang, and two holes have been drilled in it to align with the holes in the tang. Once installed, the pins will secure the tube to the tang, and the whole assembly to the handle (along with the Acraglas epoxy, of course).

I believe this will provide optimal strength and the opportunity to liberate my handle design.

I've already selected most of the pieces that will make up the handle. The main things I'm looking for now are spacers that will enhance the contrast and define the lines better. At the moment I'm leaning toward some flat bone segments I have. The only problem is I don't have enough flat segments. The curvy segments are interesting, but would be much more difficult to integrate into the handle. Might make an interesting challenge. I'll post some pics later, if I get the chance.

- Greg
 
Last night I assembled the stack on this project. After much thought and numerous false starts, I decided to form the stack of three main pieces. The bolster is made of antler, backed with a small piece of ebony lined on both sides with a thin piece of copper, with the main handle piece being made of the mystery wood mentioned in another thread. There is a single pin that holds the whole thing together and kept it stationary as the epoxy dried.

As with any handle at this stage of development, it's ugly and clunky looking, but I can see past that to the design I'm working toward. Tonight I begin the process of shaping and finishing. I'm very excited about this, as I'm very hopeful that the chatoyance of the wood will come out in full when the tung oil is applied. I'm wondering if burnishing would advance that goal.

I'll post some images later, once the preliminary shaping is done.

- Greg
 
As promised, here are the images of the knife after preliminary shaping. You can see how the details are going to come together. I apologize for the lack of quality of the pictures... best I could do this time of night.

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Well, sometimes less is more, personally I realy like the two-tone wood.
Just that with a bolster would have been what I would prefer.
 
I've noticed that you tend toward minimalism (at least in the suggestions you've offered me). Obviously, I'm moving in a different direction. That's not to say minimalism is wrong or inadequate... just that I'm exploring more complex designs because that's what inspires me today.

I will say, however, that I dialed down the complexity of this project quite a bit. One of the false starts had a 5-piece stacked wood centerpiece that was going to be bounded on both sides by symmetrical bolster and butt cap elements. When I started putting it together I noticed it went way too far. That's why I backed it down to the current design. I may still use that centerpiece for something... but I doubt it.

I did try the design you suggested but felt it was too vanilla. That might make more sense one I get good photos showing the true colors. When I started stacking the pieces, I really felt it needed a little flash of copper to accent the yellowish tone of the sapwood. I felt that the ebony stripe accented the darker lines on the heartwood, and brought that piece together well, while providing sharp contrast to the antler.

I'm in the process of finishing the piece now, having applied the first coat of tung oil. I noticed that some dust got stuck in the oil before it dried so I'll probably have to sand it down and start again... but it should be done by Sunday.

- Greg
 
tryppyr said:
I finally did find (after several failed attempts) some black all-thread, so that it an option. As an aside, don't even bother looking at Lowes or Home Depot. Everything they have is either galvanized or zinc plated. The local Ace Hardware store had it.
Click to expand...

I just buy the plated and burn off the coating with muriatic acid. only takes about 5 minutes.
 
That's the nice thing of knife making, everybody has his own taste, that's what gets all the interesting different designs.
 
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