What thickness do you buy your handle stock?

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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When handling a full tang, what thickness do you go with for g10 or micarta? I was thinking 1/4",but that may be too thin. I guess I should point out that I'll most likely be tapering all of my tangs.

Oh, steel is 5/32 tapered to around 1/8" or less.
 
Nearly all scales I buy are 3/8 unless I buy them with the intention of laminating them to a thicker liner such as a 1/8 g10 liner or something. I know it costs a bit more, but I can always grind some away, can't add it on though, unless I add a liner, which I don't always want.
 
I've been using a lot of 1/4" lately .For a tapered tang(way to go man),3/8" is better.I try to avoid B.H.S. at any cost ,but sometimes you want a fully contoured handle and sometimes you want flat sided handles with just a bit of rounding .
I think I read that you are 6'5".If so you probably have pretty good sized hands .I myself am 6'7"and had to train myself to get the feel of a slender handle.
 
eric brinkerhoff said:
I try to avoid B.H.S. at any cost


I think I read that you are 6'5".If so you probably have pretty good sized hands .I myself am 6'7"and had to train myself to get the feel of a slender handle.
Click to expand...

Haha, I do too man. Nothing like BHS to showcase inexperience.

6'7"? So you're used to hitting your head on all manner of things too. :)

I tell ya... It's nice being tall, but this world ain't designed for us. Low counter tops, branches, small cars. It's an ergonomic nightmare at times! :D

3/8ths sounds about right. Thanks guys.
 
I'll be honest, they say "thin is in, light is right." I rarely use anything thicker than 1/4 for a hunter/carry sized knife. I have used 1/8 or 1/8 with liners on utility/edc's, but they do feel a bit thin in the hand. I usually end up somewhere around 3/16, even with a tapered tang.
 
I will not buy a wood block less than 1" thick. I lose 1/16" to the band saw blade, which gives me plenty of thickness to sand. Depending on whether the sides are contoured with a palm swell or not and depending on the size of the customers hand, 7/16+ ensures enough material. I would rather pay a little more for a thicker block and sand a little more than end up with scales that are too thin.
Tim
 
Good points all. I think I'll order big then once I've figured out my style, go from there. I have a feeling that I'll prefer thin in the long run, but I just don't know yet.

Thanks guys.
 
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