I am looking at putting a handle on a small fixed blade that I have. The knife came as a PSK type of deal with no handles. I was hoping someone could point me to a web site or tell me what kind of screws to use to attatch a simple wood material handle. I see that knifekits has these EZ "Hidden Bolt Fasteners" but I am not sure if this is what I need. I was looking at bolt type fastners because I have no familiarity with pins type fastners and I figured the bolts would be easier for me to start out with. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Pins are the easiest method, Just drill holes. With all the other methods you need either a step drill or piloted counter bore. neither is terribly expensive (around $15)
If you are going to use handle bolts you really do need access to a drill press.
For a small knife there is no need to use handle bolts (corby or loveless) Pins will do fine. If there are holes in the tang that can be used to pin the handle then you just need a drill that will pass through that hole and pin stock the same size of the drill. If there is no holes you need to make some and that means solid carbide drills. (and access to a drill press)
Start by temporarly clamping both of the handle slabs to one side of the tang and use a drill press if possible to drill through the holes in the tang (I use a few drops of super glue on the slabs so there is no chance they will shift.)
Seperate the handle slabs by wedging a utility knife blade between them, (The super glue will pop free) Clean the super glue off with acetone or finger nail polish remover. It is best to lightly scuff all surfaces to be glued. ( I use a 50 grit belt on my belt grinder)
If the front face of the handle slabs will be exposed when finished then finish them now because you wont be able to after glue up.
You need to make the pins fit the holes. Believe it or not 1/8" pin stock will not fit into a hole drilled by a 1/8" drill. Chuck a 1" or 1.5" piece of your pin stock in your drill chuck and run at high speed use some 80 or 100 grit sand paper wrapped around a small wooden block to sand down the diameter till it fits snug in the holes you drilled.
Get all these things together
Some type of glue, and the appropriate solvent for that glue.
Knife blade, Pins, handle material.
latex Rubber gloves
paper towels
2 Small c-clamps
A small brush to apply the glue
Alcohol to clean all the parts prior to glue up.
I use Gorillia glue, the proper solvent is Paint thinner or mineral spirits. Many use epoxy, alcohol is the proper solvent.
Put on your latex gloves. Clean all the parts with Alcohol. then re-clean them. If using epoxy mix it now. Use the brush to apply a thin coat to the tang on one side. Set the handle scale on that side. Apply some glue to the pins and insert them in their respective holes.
Turn the blade over and apply glue to the other side of the tang. Set the handle scale on that side and push the pins through that scale.
Apply the C-clamps finger tight and use the appropriate solvent and paper towels to clean up the excess glue.
Allow to cure over night.
Cut excess pin stock off and shape handle with files and sandpaper.
