Stacked Leather handle?

[Robert Hankins]

For some reason the search is not working...some one will know this

Doing a Stacked leather washer handle on a Hawk.
What should I Use to bond them together?
What is the easiest method for assembly?

Will add a few accent spacers here and there along with a steel Pommel and post a pic when done.

 

[L6steel]

I used a section of all thread the size of the tang. Just put a nut and washer on one end. Stacked the leather washers on the all thread till you have enough and then put another steel washer on and run a nut down tight enough to make the leather nice and firm. I use Daps Weld wood contact cement to glue the leather together, same with my sheaths. It takes a little time since you have lay each disc out and let the cement get tacky before putting the pieces together but it'll never come apart. Once the everything is dry, which doesn't take long with Daps, you can chuck the all thread in the drill press and use a wood wrasp to shape the leather.
Hope this helps!
Michael

 

[the possum]

'Nuther tip- if you use metal spacers in between the leather, you gotta be careful when you shape the handle, because burrs can easily form on the edges of the metal & get squashed into the leather. They can be tricky to remove and to keep from forming. A sharp, fine toothed file may be your best bet as you get closer to the finished dimensions.

There's something else you probabaly already know about, but thought I'd make sure you've considered it. Leather washers do not provide any meaningful support to the tang, unlike materials such as stag or wood, etc. The tang must be heat treated (or must be very large if left dead soft) so that it can withstand the stress of chopping all on its own. I don't know how far up the handle you want the leather washer portion to be, but the closer they get to the head, the more important tang strength becomes.

 

[ddavelarsen]

John Andrews should jump in here, he is a master at stacked leather handles. I'll try to remember some of what he's told me, to add to what's gone before.

Before stacking the handle, wet the leather washers, clamp them up like Michael said until dry. This compresses the leather so that it won't be as likely to shrink years later. When dry, disassemble and glue up. Be sure to keep the washers in the same order as you originally put them together.

I think John uses epoxy, and that's what I've used. I can't think of any reason contact cement wouldn't work too and maybe I'll try that next time.

Because I destroyed a couple of handles during finishing, I've taken to applying a couple coats of superglue when I get the handle shaped to about 400 grit. This will keep grime from staining the leather (use clean belts!) and presumably seal out moisture. You'll sand the superglue down to the leather; it will soak in enough to provide good protection. Superglue polishes beautifully, if that's your goal; it takes an ideal satin finish too. If you're going to stain the leather, naturally do that before sealing. I haven't heard anyone else do this, it's just what I do to keep it looking uniformly clean and to allow me to polish it out.

Edited to add: The superglue will darken the leather, so if you use it you may want to experiment before you build your handle.

Looking forward to seeing this one completed!

 

[Robert Hankins]

Very valuable info gentlemen much appreciated
Hejp alot especially in the finishing stages.
Anything else?

 

[John Andrews]

Thanks, Dave. Yeah, pretty much what you said about clamping, etc. I use only tooling leather, heavy weight, wet the leather washers, clamp, and let dry. I use contact cement for sticking the washers together on the tang, and Acra Glas on the tang itself and the washer holes. This way, the washers are truly locked on the tang. I start out with square washers and place them on the tang, so as to have a reference while grinding the shape on my ol' Wilton. It's easier for me to hand grind a piece of square stock and have it come out rounded and even. A sharp course belt will really cut the leather, so go slow and easy. Oh, yeah, I use the 'glas gel to glue the washers on the tang, and use plenty of it, to fill the washer/tang void, and 'glas the buttcap to the whole works, too.