Something rustic

Barry H

Barry H

Joined
Nov 3, 1999
Messages
1,685
Many moons ago, I picked up one of Nick's blade blanks off another forum. I am usually busy doing other people's projects, so "my" project took years to finish;)

I do mostly high tech carbon or lightning Strike handles for folders.

But my heart is totally into carbon steel and wood.

I had a piece of burl maple and thought it would look great on Nick's fine ground piece of carbon steel!

Here are a few pics:
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If you're wondering about the finish, I'm totally old skool with that. I'm of Scandinavian heritage. Something that's been used for 1000 years in Sweden and Norway is pine tar. There are old Churches over in the old country that have wood shingles impregnated with pine tar that still work today!

Pretty easy to apply, just a glob on the handle and use a heat gun to make it flow onto the wood
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Why pine tar? Because when you sweat or work with a knife in the rain or snow, the grip gets BETTER, it does not slip! Plus, you are less likely to develop blisters if you do a lot of cutting. I've sanded down all my Gransfor Bruks hatchets and axes and have applied pine tar. Believe me, stuff is AMAZING!

How did I do Andy?
 
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That thing is beautiful, and looks like a Ladyfinger. Who's Nick? Did you mean Andy?
 
lol. that's what i was wondering, "Who's Nick?" BUT...with that said...nice work. i like the idea of pine tar. i have been considering adding it to some of my handles. where do you get it?
 
Barry H said:
:o

Duh, Andy!!
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Ok cool, I'm not losing it lol.

A question about the pine tar. If I applied this to a knife handle and was carving with it later and then opened my hand palm down would the knife fall out easily or sort of stick to my hand at first? I understand grip...but have personal issues with "sticky" things lol. And yes, that does make being a father with young children interesting...
 
TPVT said:
lol. that's what i was wondering, "Who's Nick?" BUT...with that said...nice work. i like the idea of pine tar. i have been considering adding it to some of my handles. where do you get it?
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I get mine from a local farm supply outlet. I would guess you living in Vermont you ought to be able to find it pretty easily. You can buy it online, too.
 
mistwalker said:
Ok cool, I'm not losing it lol.

A question about the pine tar. If I applied this to a knife handle and was carving with it later and then opened my hand palm down would the knife fall out easily or sort of stick to my hand at first? I understand grip...but have personal issues with "sticky" things lol. And yes, that does make being a father with young children interesting...
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You'd really have to glob it on in large gooey lumps for it to stick to you hand. Any of you guys pro baseball fans? That blackish looking stuff on their bats is pine tar. to answer your question, the knife would fall out of your hands if you wanted to drop the knife, or ax or baseball bat, for that matter.
 
Barry H said:
You'd really have to glob it on in large gooey lumps for it to stick to you hand. Any of you guys pro baseball fans? That blackish looking stuff on their bats is pine tar. to answer your question, the knife would fall out of your hands if you wanted to drop the knife, or ax or baseball bat, for that matter.
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Thanks for the input. I played a little football in Dallas back in middle school, there were no woods and playing nose guard gave me a place I could relieve my anger and knock the hell out of somebody without getting sent to the principle's office. But mainly I have spent my life in the woods, don't care for large crowds, and really don't pay much attention to sports...or anything else on TV.
 
Neato. Never heard of using pine tar. Good looking work.
 
Barry - I've several sheaths by both Rick Lowe and Heber. I'm sure both could help you. They have different styles and are both fine gentlemen
 
Barry H said:
Thanks Andy, Now I just gotta find some one to help me with a leather sheath.
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I was quite happy with my choice of using Rick Lowe for the sheath for my nephew's KPH. I don't think you could go wrong with him or Heber
 
Barry, good looking knife. That handle is lovely! Pine tar for sealing handles, I like it!! I use pine tar to make things but never thought to coat handles with it. Might have to try it.

BTW Sent you an email.
 
All the axemen use pinetar....just a standard in the game. Don't need that Doolittle Speed Axe getting away from you in a crowd!
I sell blanks on occasion. Send me a profile with dimensions and I'll give you a quote.
 
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