Rubber-like handles

[Mark Williams]

Have any of you guys ever done a moulded (molded) in place rubber handle? I am schooling a buddy on making his own tanto. He wants to reproduce a cold-steel tanto with the rubber-like handle. I guess a lost wax mold would be the way to go,but mold what? any sources for a good two part handle mixture? He wants black of course.

Mark

 

[etp777]

Not to say your choice is wrong, but have you considered the neoprene handle material from TKS?

"This is a rubber-like material made of neoprene. It has a soft warm grip, even in cold weather. "

Seems like this might work for what he wants, and I suspect it's similar in feel to the CS look he's going for(which I'd guess is the Recon Tanto. Sold mine a while ago, but it was definitely a comfortable feel). Think if you used the neoprene, with hidden tang, and hidden pins to hold it, would probalby be very close to what he wanted.

 

[Andrew Lynch]

Here's what I'd do if I really wanted a rubbery handle.

Make your handle out of micarta or wood or whatever and then dip it in Plasti-Dip mixed with thin epoxy...perhaps 10 layers?