Stacked leather handles

[Doc1911]

Does anyone know around what time period stacked leather handles first appeared? Any evidence that they were used as far back as the mid-1800's?

 

[CWL]

Here's an earlier discussion about this question, which did not come to a final conclusion except that it was probably the late 1800's.

I agree that it may have originated with earlier puukkos using stacked birch bark handles.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ry-question-the-first-Stacked-Leather-handles

 

[Charlie Mike]

Here is a Catt 225Q that was my grandpas hunting knife. It had rotted some and I tore it down and gave it a new handle and sheath. I'm wearing it right now.

 

[abeckman]

I recently got an old WWII USMC Ka-Bar with a leather handel and dirty blade. It looks like it has been used very much. I was wondering how to clean it but still be able to use it.

 

[CWL]

Great knife. Don't sand the blade or grip, that would only remove the history and charachter from the knife.

I'd soak the blade in oil or kerosene and wipe it down with paper towels over the course of a few days to loosen and remove rust and crud, then sharpen it. I'd wipe the leather grip with wax until its soaked in to remove crux and protect the leather. I also like wax over oil to protect my blades and guns.

 

[Joe.IV]

It's also easy to work with for the DIY handle makers

How exactly did you go from the unfinished rawhide look of the leather after you sanded it to the finished almost glossy look? I'm looking to make another knife with astacked handle, it will be my first. I'd appreciate some pointers

 

[Charlie Mike]

I used black Kiwi boot polish. I guess you could also use nuetral Kiwi.

 

[Ebbtide]

After sanding at something like 800 grit I used Sno-Seal.
Applied with the hairdryer blowing on the knife so the leather was warm.
Then buffed it with a clean cloth and the classic shoe shine motion.

FWIW I used ans 80 grit belt, cut open and bunny clipped onto a huge file to shape the handle.
Then finer and finer grits to finish.
Ending with wet 800 paper.

Hope that helps

 

[John A. Larsen]

Ebbtide,
Good to see a photo of that knife again after almost four years! John

 

[Mikael W]

It's also easy to work with for the DIY handle makers

Ebbtide
Keep 'em comin!

I love to see Your work!:thumbup:


Regards
Mikael

 

[Kwon Kwang]

Keep them dry and they should be fine. Definitely not my tastes because of what happens to them when they get soaked. I much prefer kraton or G10, in that order. Longer lasting and gripper.

Maybe one day I'll buy a standard Kabar, but probably not anytime soon.

 

[Ebbtide]

Ebbtide,
Good to see a photo of that knife again after almost four years! John

Time flies eh, John A?
Good to see you!

Ebbtide
Keep 'em comin!

I love to see Your work!:thumbup:


Regards
Mikael

Why thank you!
I keep posting them hoping someone will jump on the "handle it yourself bandwagon" and see how much fun it is.
Since you asked

 

[Mikael W]

I keep posting them hoping someone will jump on the "handle it yourself bandwagon" and see how much fun it is.

Thanks for showing!

I enjoy making traditional handles on factory models, so make room for one more on that bandwagon!

Here's a stacked leather on a Mora Bushcraft Force blade in 12c27.

As the tang isn't full lenght, I lenghtened the tang with a forkscrew intended for rigging small boats.
The fork was riveted to the tang via holes, drilled with a carbidetip drillbit.

I have used the knife at work and batoned on the pommel with a Nylonmallet and it has held up just perfectly!
Way more fun than the original Polypropylene handle.


Regards
Mikael

 

[Ebbtide]

Excellent!
That came out great
I've got high end, low end & customs but my favorite knives are the ones that I've had a hand in producing.

 

[Mikael W]

Excellent!That came out great I've got high end, low end & customs but my favorite knives are the ones that I've had a hand in producing.

Thanks Ebbtide!


It's a great feeling to use a tool, that You at least had a part in producing Yourself!

Stacked leather is an easy material to work with, as long as the tang end is threaded for a pommelnut.


RegardsMikael

 

[Samon]

Thanks for showing!

I enjoy making traditional handles on factory models, so make room for one more on that bandwagon!

Here's a stacked leather on a Mora Bushcraft Force blade in 12c27.

As the tang isn't full lenght, I lenghtened the tang with a forkscrew intended for rigging small boats.
The fork was riveted to the tang via holes, drilled with a carbidetip drillbit.

I have used the knife at work and batoned on the pommel with a Nylonmallet and it has held up just perfectly!
Way more fun than the original Polypropylene handle.


Regards
Mikael

Now that is the single best Mora rehandle job I've seen. A true tradtional look!

Excuse the thread necromancy..

 

[Alberta Ed]

I treat my stacked leather grips with a coat or three of SnowSeal, melted in with a hair dryer. Lasts for decades.

 

[savage99]

This was my grandfather's knife it has butchered allot of deer and hogs. When I got it the leather had shrunk and was a little loose so I tightened it with the bolt at the end of the rat tail. This would be the only problem I can see with leather handles but that being said wood can shrink and expand as well.

 

[Les220]

I just recently made a stacked handle on my U.S.M3 Camillus and I think it turned out good, the old handle had deteriorated so bad it was in pieces. Will post a pic when I figure out how to do it in this forum.