Warped Cocobolo Handle Scales

J

Jak Epp

Joined
Dec 27, 2023
Messages
204
I recently received a set of cocobolo scales but found they had a significant warp. They are only .25 inch thick, so I am worried about grinding them flat for fear of losing too much handle material. Any ideas on how to fix this?
Thanks,
Jak
 
They have to be sanded flat at least on the tang side. Consider a liner material between tang and scale to add thickness back at assembly. I prefer G10, for the color choices. Micarta is also a good choice.

Trying to flatten them by clamping or some other mechanical means will only result in re-warp down the road. And that ain't good.
 
Keith Nix said:
They have to be sanded flat at least on the tang side. Consider a liner material between tang and scale to add thickness back at assembly. I prefer G10, for the color choices. Micarta is also a good choice.

Trying to flatten them by clamping or some other mechanical means will only result in re-warp down the road. And that ain't good.
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Thanks! I don't have G10 liners, so I guess I'll just work with the lack of material.
Jak
 
tape a piece of low grit sandpaper to a piece of glass or a granite slab if you have one, and you should be able to flatten one side of each scale super fast. I don't think relying solely on glue or fasteners is near as good an option, over the long term, as having flat, true planes that mate together perfectly
 
Jak Epp said:
I use epoxy and brass/stainless steel pins, so probably wouldn’t work. Thanks though!
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Maybe this is a Good reason to improve your fastening techniques.
Not telling you how to do it.....but

I'll probably never buy a glued/pinned knife again. Too many failures.

*not talking peened in Properly reamed/tapered holes. Those are fine. Especially in light duty.


But so many just glue, and grind.
I don't personally think That's good enough.
 
I don't know about whether it sticks better, but as a material its very different than G10- suuuuuper tough and quite flexible. Wood and any other natural material is going to move around some and that vulcanized fiber seems to add some elasticity to the handle assembly, so theoretically can move a little, too
 
Thanks for all the input everyone! I ended having enough meat left after grinding the warp out; it was only for a small EDC so a chunky grip really wasn’t necessary. The epoxy is currently curing; hoping to finish the knife up over the weekend.
Jak
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Maybe this is a Good reason to improve your fastening techniques.
Not telling you how to do it.....but

I'll probably never buy a glued/pinned knife again. Too many failures.

*not talking peened in Properly reamed/tapered holes. Those are fine. Especially in light duty.


But so many just glue, and grind.
I don't personally think That's good enough.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip! I’ll look into that, eventually. I just started making knives a few months ago, so pins + epoxy is good enough for the knives I’m making right now.
 
I use Corby Bolts on most all knives now. It guarantees the scales will stay tight and not warp.

BTW, cocobolo is known for warping. Especially after it is cut on a table saw. I let it sit for several months after cutting and then flatten on the disc sander. Don't get it hot when sanding or it may warp again.
 
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