So, I Scored a Rat Tail

[J85909266]

...from the Extravaganza, one of the unwrapped ones. What are my options for getting a nice wrap on the handle? I'd rather not go paracord, if possible, as I think it looks cheap.

Thanks.

 

[cleaner145]

I have only seen paracord ones, and they work quite well, but I'm sure you could get a custom grip out of anything you desire. I've never had a knife of mine considered cheap looking, but if you want to talk about my taste in booze or women well.......

 

[Troy H]

Hi J8,

The original ones were wrapped by Wally Hayes and they were fantastic!! You might contact him to see if he would do that for you. They are surprisingly comfortable and provide an excellent grip.

CongRATs on your score!! :thumbup:

 

[J85909266]

Thanks 360, I may do that.

I meant no offense with the paracord comment, by the way, it's just not my thing.

 

[RokJok]

You can do the handle wrapping yourself. To get instructions and pictures of some of the various wrapping styles do a Google search for either of the terms TSUKA-ITO or else TSUKAMAKI.

Tip from Happycat (knifemaker):
To cushion a knifeblade in a vise to work on the handle or do other work use a paperback book as padding.
Tip: Scratch free blade/vise interface...
------------------
Here's a trick I stumbled on a few weeks ago. Ok, you've got your blade finished (and hopefully electrical taped to keep from scratching it), and its time to drive the guard down on it. (I use a piece of copper pipe squashed at one end for this.) The thing is, you need to clamp the blade REALLY tight in the vise without screwing it up.....
Grab an old paperback, slide the blade in so the edge is against the spine, and clamp it in the vise. You can squeeze to your hearts content with out marring the blade."

Illustrating photo below is Happycat's attachment pic. Happy wrapping!!

 

[madfast]

but where can you get/buy the flat cord? gutted paracord won't work will it?

 

[RokJok]

Madfast, IIRC some folks have used gutted paracord, so apparently it can do the job.

For "the real deal" tsuka-ito cord check out Fred Lohman Co. at the link below. (click on Silk Wrap) He's got different sizes and colors. Wrapping leather too, if that's your taste.
http://www.japanese-swords.com/

 

[tropheus]

So I got a rat tail too, I was wondering what color you got, I was under the impression that they were all black, but the one I got was tan, anybody know if there are any differences in them.