Thong Hole Question

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,147
I am thinking of getting some tube to make a thong hole or 2. Do I cut this about 1/16" long on both sides and peen with a taper punch....then sand flush?
 
Heres how I do it right or wrong: cut it about 1/16" too long and grind some grooves in the center area for epoxy to grip it. I like JB Weld but be sure to let it sit overnight before grinding flush.

side note: I use a letter drill F for a slight oversize hole on 1/4" tubing. There should be no "press fit" or the handle may crack.

After the handle is shaped I use a 60 degree countersink to bevel the inside edges.
 
I do like Bruce Suggested, but I have a center punch that is very slightly tappered and use it to swell the thong hole tube just a little(by little I do mean very little, cracked a few handles till I learned just how little was needed). The hole for the tube is slightly over sized so the tube slips in without much trouble. If I were to use pearl or other fragile material I'd just glue it in.

Long as it is not used as the primary handle slab holder on'r, it realy doesn't need a lot to hold it in place.
 
My countersink leaves "chips" in the finish of the tube, so I've been using a cone shaped diamond bit in my flex shaft. Takes a bit longer but not much and I feel better about the finish. I do need a new countersink... ;)
 
I am going to give it a shot on my next handle.

Do you even need a thong hole liner? Can you just have a raw hole?
 
Originally posted by blgoode
....
Do you even need a thong hole liner? Can you just have a raw hole?


No, you don't. It looks a lot cleaner with one though.
 
Do you even need a thong hole liner? Can you just have a raw hole?

As Mike already said, no you don't but it makes a world of difference IMHO. One of the first things I found is that the small details make or break the looks of the knife.

I also use a cone to expand the tube but I made mine from scrap steel, turned to a cone and hardened. It leaves a very nice finish and does not bevel the edge like a grinding stone can.
 
I may have a coned piece of something I can use.........

I will give this a try on some canvis OD micarta......
 
Back
Top