Stupid handle question.

M

mpj13

Joined
Oct 5, 2001
Messages
108
I have been looking around for handle material and it looks like the main sizes for blocks are 5"x12"x3/8". It seems like if you want to make a stick tang then wont 3/8" bee too short? Maybe I am just thinking about this wrong but I seems like you just route out an area for the stick tang to fit and then put the blocks together and shape. I would think you would want about a 1" thick handle. Would two 3/8" blocks work fine? Were can you buy thicker blocks? I have checked out Texas Knives and Koval knives.

Oh-yeah, if any one could coment on this too what is the best wood to use for a nice Asian look? I see all kinds of wood at these sites but I'm not sure what they look like. Thanks a lot.
 
Both Koval and TKS sell handle materials that are 2" x 1" x 5". Synthetics like Micarta and Dymondwood are available in 1-1/8" thicknesses.
 
mpj13,

What you are looking at is a SLAB, not a BLOCK. Most suppliers carry both. Slabs can come in either one large piece that you can cut to size to get several handles out of(that is the size that you have listed) or in a pre-cut set just for one knife. Both of these come in varying thicknesses, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, are the main one(I think so anyway). Blocks usually come in sizes approx. 1 1/2 x 5 x 1 1/4, different supply houses may have slightly differing sizes. Not all materials come in blocks (G-10 and carbon fiber are two that come to mind along with some of the different colors of Micarta) but there is still quite a selection available.

As for an Asian look, I have no clue! Some of these other gentlemen that have more experience and a better eye should hopefully have an opinion for you though.

Take care.

Andy
 
Some suppliers sell wood blocks about 1 1/8 or 1 1/4" square and around 5" long for tang handles.

You might try Sheffield Knifemakers Supply 800-874-7007 or Knife and Gun Finishing Supply 800-972-1192. Both have websites.
 
Ah-yes, I was looking at the slabs. So, if I use the blocks what is a good thickness to shoot for? 1"? Thanks.
 
Sorry my last post made no sense (Not Jerry's post). Sould the total thickness of the handle be 1" or a little more or should each slab be 1"? If you use two 1" slabs do you just size them up and grind off the excess or just buy slabs that will be close to the right thickness? Or am I getting this all wrong, I am asuming you would use two slabs and them pin and glue them together or do you just use one piece and cut out the center for the stick tang to fit and then pin it up, if so hw in the world do you cut the center out of a solid piece of handle material? Sorry for all the questions, this is the only way I can learn this stuff.
 
Try this out for size. (bad pun)

Take a good size chunk of Play-Doh in your hand and squeeze your fingers around it like you were gripping a knife, squeezing 'til your fingertips touch your palm. Open up, and take a look at the Play-Doh to get a basic idea of the size and shape of your grip.

Bob
 
Also to add to the play doh trick,You have to keep in mind the size of the knife and keep your handle proportionate with it also..
Some of my knives are 1/2 inch thick at the gyard and widen out to 3/4 at the widest and others are 3/4 at the guard and widen to 1 inch at the widest,It really just depends on the fit and look you are after.
To do the mortised tang using two slans you are better off starting with the 3/8 inch thick scales,this will allow you to make a thicker area in the palm swell of the handle..
As for the oriental looks,take a look at some of the different swords tha are bieng made and you will get a idea for the kinds of wood you ,might like..
Bruce
 
From my other thread I found some Zebra wood, it looked great I think I would like to use this for a handle. So, is there a method of using one solid piece of handle, or is the only way to use two slabs and glue and pin them together. Sorry to keep asking I am just trying to get an image in my mind for my next project. Another nice piece of wood is the California buckeye.

I use a piece of natural wood and I stain it can I stain it like I would a piece of furniture? I have hear of certain methods by pressure treating it or something. The most I could do now is stain it like normal unless it only takes some simple tool to treat it.
 
Actually, I don't think anyone uses slabs for a hidden tang (I could be wrong). That's just weird. What you do is use one block and drill a hole down the middle.

Staining won't protect the wood well, you need to seal it too. The easiest way I've found is to find a gunsmith supply store(much easier than finding a knifemaker supply store) and buy something for sealing and finishing stocks.
 
you can use the solid block on a hidden or stick tang just like Disco and said.If you are not planing on putting on a but cap then you will need about a 3 inch tang and then you drill the depth hple you need then after ataching the handle I drill my pin hole through the wood and tang at the same time,others drill them seperatly and then attach the handle...
By using the two scales only you get a moetised tang construction This was done allot with Bone stag and ivory,That you cannot get wide enogh and long enough and thick enough to get a proper handle out of any other way..It works great on woods also..It is a popular old way of attaching a handle,and also lets you get different handle shapes than you could using a block only..
Bruce
 
You can get some good ideas by looking around at some of the knife/knifemaker sites on the internet. Jerry Hossom has some excellent working blades. Look at his website. Don Fogg at http://www.dfoggknives.com some very nice blades and some excellent "how to" pages. Jim Hrisoulas' site at http://www.atar.com has some very nice work. Take a look at AG Russell for some ideas or even (I will probably get beat about the head and shoulders for this suggestion) Smokey Mountain Knives for some ideas on designs. The stuff is out there. Look around.

C Wilkins
 
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