torx screws and handle slabs

Bailey Knives

Bailey Knives

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
3,802
I feel kinda dumb asking this question, but how do you attach handle slabs using torx screws on a full tang knife? Do you thread the hole, and make the handle slabs the right thickness to be able to screw 1/2 the way through the tang on each side of the hole?

I have the screws, but havent found the best way to attach them.
 
I use the threaded pivot pins. The kind that most people use as a pivot for folding knives. Just drill the tang for the pin and cut it off if needed so it extends long enough to get 3 or 4 good threads from the left and right slab.
 
The Rats and Rangers I have taken apart to modify use a small brass bushing that's a little wider than the knife's tang. This bushing is tapped to receive the torx screws from both sides. The hole in the knife's tang is just big enough for this bushing to pass through.

The handle scales are both counterdrilled on the backside just enough to receive a small bit of the bushing on each side. This provides the clearance for them to fit up tight to the knife's tang.

I've looked around at the knifemaker supply houses I use and couldn't find the bushings though. I figured I'd have to make them if I ever decided to go that route. If anyone knows where to find them I'd love to know.
Scott

p.s: I guess I was typing at the same time as Bruce. Our posts popped up together. This may be the answer!
 
If you did go halfway from either side you would want to go less than half so they wouldn't touch each other. what if they were offset side to side?
 
Thanks, everyone. I think I will try the pivot pin idea. Sounds like it should work well.
 
scottang1 said:
I've looked around at the knifemaker supply houses I use and couldn't find the bushings though. I figured I'd have to make them if I ever decided to go that route. If anyone knows where to find them I'd love to know.
Click to expand...

Hrmmm...what about 1911 grip screw bushings? Might only work for heftier blades, but they're already made for a similar task and the dimensions are so well known that tooling exists for them already.

-d
 
You can get cheap female threaded spacers from McMaster.com and use regular torx screws.
If you use screw size #6(if I am not mistaken) you drill 1/4" through hole and counterbore handles only from outside.
If you use pivots you have to counerbore handles from inside and outside.
12-17-20069-05-41PM_0022.jpg


Guys,
I really like the idea of been able to assemble/disassemble fixed knife while still working on it.
What bothering me with handles attached with screws and no glue is when taken apart and back together handle edges will not be precisely aligned with tang and you can feel handle/tang edge where they meet. You can easily feel 0.001 misalignment.
 
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