SureTouch Project/Experiment

RayseM

RayseM

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I am thinking of gluing 2 or 3 layers of this stuff to make up a solid block which I would then cut into slices - maybe 1/8" to 1/4" thick.

From there I am thinking of building a stacked US•G-10•Rubber handle - not unlike stacked leather. Press the stack with epoxy between the layers and with a solid bolster and cap on either end.

Then carve and shape the handle and finish matte.

Anyone done this? Anyone think I shouldn't? ;)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

A solid NO is OK but if you think it could work some encouragement would be appreciated. :thumbsup: :)
 
I like your idea and don't have much to offer regarding should or shouldn't.

But, from a couple of knives I have with Suretouch, I really like it - it is grippy and sort of warm (hard to describe, but it feels warmer in the hand to me, or it holds heat a little bit more than micarta/g10).

One thing I have noticed: if the layers of softer material are exposed to pinching, like a kydex sheath sliding over where the front of the scales meet the flats, the softer material will rub and maybe, start to erode - see pic of dark region in front of my thumb nail:
g57cVLIl.jpg


I'd postulate that this would not be an issue if the blending of the material was done in such a way as to avoid exposing the the soft material to the friction pinch areas that occur where the kydex touches the handle. Or, don't use kydex or kydex like material.
 
Looking at what is available I'm revising my plan to just buy 3/8" thick stock. Rather than glueing up a block I can just cut the 3/8" into the right size "slices" and stack those. Will be a different look than from making a block but that could be nice. Don't care so much for the graining as long as I get the coloring and the grippy feel.
 
Not getting too much feedback from this thread I wrote to Jantz Supply to ask what they thought of my idea. The rep., Katie, wrote back to say - excellent question but I don't know. I'll ask our specialty techs about this. So she did and they did some testing. Reported back with some encouraging results. AND they offered to send me a sample piece to try for myself before committing to my project. More then, as it happens, thanks to the great customer service of Katie and company. 👍
 
I like your second idea better than your first. I don't like the idea of glue joints running in two directions (two planes).
 
J. Doyle said:
I like your second idea better than your first. I don't like the idea of glue joints running in two directions (two planes).
Click to expand...

Hi John. It was the 2nd idea that made me wonder how the edges of this stuff would shape. Was worried that they would get jaggy - furry with rubber bits. The good people at JS don't seem to think so, they are sending me a sample to see for myself. I'm getting pretty excited about the concept. AND I agree, would like to avoid the cross joints. Would look more like a real stack done the 2nd way. Thanks for chiming in.
 
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No problem. Post pics when you do it. I'm interested.
 
Having received my trial piece from Jantz Supply I made up a 3 piece stack of the 3/8" thick material.

3 pieces epoxied together ~

Next day I broke the edges as if to simulate the making of a stacked handle and I was immediately satisfied that this was completely possible.

Very casual sanding - as you can see there are still some uneven spots - but a coat of finish, reveals the final potential ~

No ragged or hairy rubbery edges at all. Sands and shapes beautifully and will finish nice too. The handle will be soft and grippy and be durable too, with all the benefits of G-10 layers alternating with layers of rubber.

I will purchase some more colorful pieces and soon start my stacked knife handle project. Will post photos as that happens.
 
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Completed project. This is a very very comfortable and grippy handle.

The knife is an old fella that my brother asked me to rehandle. The leather was terribly deteriorated and as you can see, the blade has been used and somewhat abused - BUT - my Brother asked. :thumbsup:

You might notice that I chose to cut off the top leg of the guard and shortened the bottom edge too. This seemed like a good choice for a non-combat knife that will now be a general purpose and camp knife. Nice to be able to choke up with your thumb on the spine.

Rainy day photo ~





New-Handle.jpg
 
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Looks good from here - I especially like the contrast between the shiny grooved portions and the matte finish on the large flats.

Thanks for sharing.
 
The "flats" are 3/16 black G-10 cut into 15/16" circles - the center cuts pulled out of an 1-1/8" hole saw. The maroon/black Ultrex is 3/8" thick. Two of those at each end and singles of both materials in between. The shiny maroon surface is the "face" of the Ultrex. I was hoping a bit more of the color would show edgewise but it only comes through as a shadow color. Actually a pretty nice effect as it greatly softens the black.
 
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