Scales on textured/colored blade

[T.E.]

Hello all

What is the trick to shaping scales to the tang without actually polishing it during shaping process? That would kind of destroy the texture on the metal. Is there a trick or way?

Thanks in advance

 

[imill3567]

I think if you want the spine to be the same "texture" whether that's Damascus, stonewash, acid etched etc is to drill the holes for the scales at a slip fit size so there is no slop. Then before you etch or texturize you bring the spine and belly of the scales flush to the tang while temporarily attached and bring it up to final grit. Next you etch or texturize the blade, then epoxy the scales on and don't hit those finished areas again only sanding the pins flush and finishing the "faces".

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Making the scales removable with screws and threaded inserts in the tang, or sex-bolts is the simplest way.
Mount the scales and then shape the edges and sides.
Remove the scales and screw them together and finish the front of the scale.
Finish the blade etching or whatever surface treatment you are using.
Re-mount the scales and you are done.

You can do the same with Corby bolts, but have to do the side shaping after the final assembly.

 

[T.E.]

Sadly at the moment i am not a bladesmith but more of a "Decorator" - Scales, Sheath, etc And therefore i have no ability to mess with already done blade.
My only idea is to mock up the blade from some other material (Aluminum?) thats easy to work with, temporary mount scales to that mockup, shape them and move for permanent mount to the real blade.
Another option is to get same blade that polished and use THAT as a model to build two sets of scales. Though, i was not planning on building two of exact kind of knives.

 

[Nick-D]

Sadly at the moment i am not a bladesmith but more of a "Decorator" - Scales, Sheath, etc And therefore i have no ability to mess with already done blade.
My only idea is to mock up the blade from some other material (Aluminum?) thats easy to work with, temporary mount scales to that mockup, shape them and move for permanent mount to the real blade.
Another option is to get same blade that polished and use THAT as a model to build two sets of scales. Though, i was not planning on building two of exact kind of knives.

Could you work to achieve a slightly recessed tang fit? Can look really really nice when done nicely.

I don't think you would get the mockup close enough to achieve a nice flush fit

 

[weo]

Could you put one scale on the tang, using nuts and bolts to hold it in place, use a pencil or something to scribe the scale around the tang, repeat on the other side, finish the scales to the pencil/scribe line, then mount them to the blade. You could do the last step with hand sandpaper and remove a little at a time, checking the fit as you go.
Depending on the tools you are using, another thing you could consider is taping up the tang, and grind down the profile of the scales carefully, paying close attention to when you are starting to get into the tape layer. But you'd probably still have to the fit up with careful hand sanding as I mentioned above.
Or use some thick paint or fingernail polish to cover the spine (like the tape mentioned above) and just make sure you don't sand/grind through the protective paint layer.
Don't forget that by going slow, higher grits (1000, 2000, 5000, etc) don't remove much material.