Two piece (or more) composite wood scales

John Cahoon

John Cahoon

JWC Custom Knives
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 13, 2017
Messages
2,213
Hello everyone, I recently made a set of 2 piece scales of Black Limba and Ironwood. They were pinned internally with 2 threaded rods, then the usual 3 thru pins. Seems rock solid, great fit up and I really like the look. But my question is what woods go very well together in your opinions? And dark in front is generally preferred right? Why is that? And a thread isn't much good without pictures so please post some so I can shamelessly copy... errrr uhhh be inspired. :rolleyes:
 
jwccustom57 said:
Hello everyone, I recently made a set of 2 piece scales of Black Limba and Ironwood. They were pinned internally with 2 threaded rods, then the usual 3 thru pins. Seems rock solid, great fit up and I really like the look. But my question is what woods go very well together in your opinions? And dark in front is generally preferred right? Why is that? And a thread isn't much good without pictures so please post some so I can shamelessly copy... errrr uhhh be inspired. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Well when have dn Saya’s for my knives the color & shade of the handle is the first reference, I can Match it or contrast it with different colors! Do have any pics for you but how about a pic of your knife with the Limba?
 
I was going to make a similar thread. I have a whole barrel of ipe 1/16th to 1/4 inch thick little 'scales'. The problem is they are end grain. I wonder if casting them in resin would make usable scales?
 
Right on Rhino, I didn't have a pic today when I thought to ask about this, but here's one taken as FIF was ending... This knife has not seen final touch up or sharpened but it shows the concept. Other projects intervened. The Limba is in front, the lighter wood, which is why I asked about the preference I've read for having the darker wood in front. Nobody's ever said I could coordinate colors very well.

TBB, yes I too have remnants that needed to go somewhere and this is a pretty good solution. If I'm understanding TBB correctly you might be thinking of stacking multiple pieces like you would leather? Seems like a ton of work getting perfect flatness but would be awesome to see.

It's also a lot of fun to always try something for the first time. I misspoke above, there's two copper pins and a lanyard tube plus two internal pins at the joint.

Oh, and my Clint Eastwood serape as background, you know the one.

17-15.JPG
 
Last edited:
I personally would use the darker on the Saya first. Then a band of the lighter wood, then the darker wood at the tip if you want to get fancy!!
 
The barefoot boy said:
I was going to make a similar thread. I have a whole barrel of ipe 1/16th to 1/4 inch thick little 'scales'. The problem is they are end grain. I wonder if casting them in resin would make usable scales?
Click to expand...

No it will not. End grain is inherently unsuitable for use as a knife handle. And resin casting them would not change that at all.
 
Hi Robert, thanks for those pics, they look great and I really like the spacer accents.
 
cr=w:900,h:660,a:cc


Here are a couple of kitchen knives I did a while back. Blue g10, koa, and gabon ebony.

I like the contrasting look of 2 woods on a knife. I should really do it more often .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top