Shaping handles with metal spacers - need some advice

[Jdubb1977]

Yeah, unfortunately not many makers go in such great detail on technique but prefer flashier videos that get the clicks from the masses.

Truth. So many really good makers hit fast fwd when they go to the grinder. I'd rather they get a freakin' macro lens in there and talk us new folks through what/why they're doing things!

 

[daily_grind]

Watch the nick wheelers part of the bowie series on YT on the handle shaping. One of the things he says is people switch way too early to soft backed sanding paper or shoe shine method. Keep it backed with a file or a piece of hardened steel 97 percent of the way. For curves you can use half round or round files. This helps also with not washing out the lines on your handle if you have ridges, flats and similar. When sanding hard and soft materials, concentrate on keeping the sanding part of the file always on the harder material to not create that bump. This happens with pins as well.

I found that out the hard way.
My metal spacers are now proud of the wood and it is just weird. Every time someone sees it they ask "why did you make the metal stand out like that?"

 

[FredyCro]

I found that out the hard way.
My metal spacers are now proud of the wood and it is just weird. Every time someone sees it they ask "why did you make the metal stand out like that?"

Don't worry, we learn best by doing mistakes ourselves. Also, never to late to refinish those blades and make the spacers flush with the rest. All you need is a file and/or a small piece of hardened steel and some sandpaper.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Even if you do get it flush you'll still have to worry about the scales fluctuating (even stabilized scales can shrink a bit). It's beautiful but a pain in the ass, I've handled a knife with a single metal spacer in the middle and after the stabilized scales shrunk, it remained sharp and proud.