Small Knife Handle Thickness

[Stark Knives]

What thickness of handle stock do you guys like for small knives (6" overall with about 3.5-4" handle)? The blade steel is 1/8" thick. Do you think 1/4" is good for a nice round conceal carry style contouring?

 

[Hesparus]

It's all about handle design. You can make a 4" handle that doesn't work with 1/4" scales and you can make a 4" handle that does work with 1/8" scales. The Tracker Dan Bloodshark, for example, is highly regarded by many for concealed carry, and it has 1/8" stock with paracord wrap directly over it. Make prototypes out of wood or cardboard and you'll see how your design works with different scale thicknesses.

- Chris

 

[Stark Knives]

Here are the designs.

 

[Adam Buttry]

If you are in doubt, start with thicker scales. You can always remove material if you need to. Especially if you are going to fully round/oval and contour the scales. If you are only going to knock the corners down and basically have flat sides, you should be able to do a mock up as Hesperus suggested and get a good idea of what you need in material thickness.

 

[timos-]

Also put some thought into how the handle thickness is going to aid in retention to the sheath. With concealment you cant let the sheath design be an afterthought.

 

[james terrio]

If you are in doubt, start with thicker scales. You can always remove material if you need to. Especially if you are going to fully round/oval and contour the scales. If you are only going to knock the corners down and basically have flat sides, you should be able to do a mock up as Hesperus suggested and get a good idea of what you need in material thickness.

Also put some thought into how the handle thickness is going to aid in retention to the sheath. With concealment you cant let the sheath design be an afterthought.

Excellent advice, for knives large or small :thumbup: