What do you think of a leather stack survival knife?

Stacked leather is a classic best!

Both over 60+ years and still going strong.

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Well, Jarvenpaa makes a classic puukko blade with stacked leather:
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They also make a model with stacked birch bark:
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In other words, it's not a bad idea, and others have already noted some of the advantages of stacked leather.
 
I have a Jarvenpaa in birch bark.It's a nice knife.I want to make something a little larger with a stronger tang and a much more rounded and smooth pommel.For me the handle is a little short on the Jarvenpaa and the pommel is a little small with unnecessarily sharp edges.
 
I understand.

I didn't post it to sell you one, just to point out that it's a usable idea for that style of knife. But since you own one, you already knew that eh? ;)
 
Kinda funny that you bring this up... I've been on the lookout for a beefier puukko type knife and haven't had much success in that area. It seems as if there has been a bit of a gap in that area of the market, unless I've been missing something...
 
I understand.

I didn't post it to sell you one, just to point out that it's a usable idea for that style of knife. But since you own one, you already knew that eh? ;)

I didn't mean for my reply to come across as a smart remark.I appreciate the refrence and picture as that is close to what I have in mind just with a few modifications.:thumbup:
 
Should I do a matching firesteel and heavy leather waxed sheath? I'll reopen this thread with the prototype pictures in 2-3 weeks.

I just wanted to get some opinions.

did you ever reopen thread and show photos?
 
I know I like the 3/16" to 1/4" spines for battoning better. The thickness is a compromise.
I just spent several hours changing the grind angle on my new Tops CQT-Mini to make it more of a knife and less of a pry bar, but I like it so far.
 
I love the feel and look of stacked leather handles, both when they're new and when they form a nice patina with age and use. If you do a passaround on this knife I would love to check it out!
 
I'm a little leary only because I have an Estwing knife and axe set and the leather handle has seen better days. Might just be the varnish coating that is cracking.
 
did you ever reopen thread and show photos?

I'm going to shoot for the end of Sept. Got a few orders to complete first.I need to brainstorm a little anyway.I've been thinking of a cool,strong way to attach the pommel.Right now I'm thinking of taking a thick piece of stainless and milling a slot inside for a full width and thickness tang.Then I'll pin it through the side just like you would do a full tang bolster.Sounds good so far if it's not too heavy after I mill the slot.


Mike and Hushnel,
Very nice knives!
 
I made one a few years ago. it is not my usual handle style, and after all the pressing, curing, repressing and epoxy work...the handle came out nice, but i swore that i would not do another. I may, anyway, as they are a classic.

my unsolicited .02 is to make the tang substantial, as leather handle knives rely on the tang alone for strength and rigidity, where a full tang knife, or a narrow tang knife with a handle such as micarta has some strength in the handle material itself.

make the tang the width of the blade/ricasso area-depending on the style. Step it down with a small round file to make shoulders for the gaurd, taper it in width GENTLY to the butt. should leave you with a nice wide tang, one that people will say its TOO big..you will never break it if it is XX smaller in normal use. OK, maybe they are right. What about abnormal use? with proper het treat, this one will take it.

this tang will require you to fit the washers to it individually, perhaps after cutting a generic hole. PITA, but its not too bad.

I made a steel buttcap, for pounding stuff- and peened the tang over on it. I have used the knife a good bit- and i do not worry about breakage. But cosmetics are not overly high on mu list either.

Good luck!
 
I love my Ka-Bar. Unfortunately, 70 years of being used, abused, and neglected took its toll on the leather handle:

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I've only had this knife for about 6 years of its VERY long life, but it has served me very well, despite the leather washers finally falling apart after the first year I had it (I was 16, forgive me for the duct tape :P). Unfortunately, this 1930's model hunter seems to be incapable of being dismantled without destroying it, so rehandling it in leather washers is a no go. I did finally cut off the washers (well, the few that didn't disintegrate, anyway) and one of these days I'm planning on making a mortised handle out of wood. That said, the leather washers were much more comfortable than any wooden-handled knife I've used, and if properly cared for they can last a very long time. Unfortunately, this poor guy spent many post-war years serving in a kitchen where it was probably not cared for very well, which didn't do it any favors.
 
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