What to do with my Ricasso side of scales?

[Emphasiski]

I keep thinking flat would be fine, but might not look right, so I go to do a slight angle, then I think that might not look right.

I'm at an impasse, and I can't decide what to do with these scales. Any help?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Round them off a bit, polish the ends, and put them on the tang.

 

[Shaughnessy]

Lots of ways to skin the cat, but this is how I do a lot of them.

You can now see that the front of the scales have been rounded off at an angle. I did each scale individually and will match them up in just a minute. In order to get them matching up I use double faced carpet tape to tape them together temporarily. Line them up as close as possible, and in this case its easier cuz you have the lines to go by as a guide.

You can now go back to the belt sander with a very light touch and make the scales identical in the front. You can also do this by hand sanding as well if your nervous about taking off too much.....

 

[silver_pilate]

Part of it comes down to how you shape your scales.

Personally, I'm really turned off by full thickness scales at the ricasso. It just looks blocky and unfinished in my mind.

Here's how I do my scale fronts:

You can see how the front of the scale is tapered in thickness. Here's my method:

First, I'll grind the full thickness scales to an agle at the front. This can be done before or after glue up, but if it's done after, be very careful not to mar the ricasso.

Then I rough shape on the platen with a 36 grit belt with alight touch:

Knock the high points off of the middle of the scale a bit:

Then I round with the slack belt to smooth it out:

Which should get you something like this (different color, but same idea...this one was a long way from being done yet):

--nathan

 

[Emphasiski]

I like that look a lot Nathan! :thumbup:

Is what Nathan showed, what you meant Stacy?

 

[jonnymac44]

Yep, that's what Stacy meant:thumbup: You know the blade will get in the way once the scales are attached so you do your basic shaping before putting the scales on. I make minor changes by hand sanding if I need to after the handle is on the knife.

Good luck:thumbup:

 

[silver_pilate]

Personally, I rough slab my scales and shape and finish the front edge of the scales pretty much just as you've done, Emphasiski. Maybe a little more clean-up to the front of the scale. Johnnymac is right on. Once they're on the knife, you can't change that front profile. Then I do 90% of my handle shaping after the scale is glued up to the knife. It's worked for me, but you just have one chance to get it right or you have to grind off a perfectly good set of scales.

--nathan

 

[jonnymac44]

Personally, I rough slab my scales and shape and finish the front edge of the scales pretty much just as you've done, Emphasiski. Maybe a little more clean-up to the front of the scale. Johnnymac is right on. Once they're on the knife, you can't change that front profile. Then I do 90% of my handle shaping after the scale is glued up to the knife. It's worked for me, but you just have one chance to get it right or you have to grind off a perfectly good set of scales.

--nathan

BTW, I was just talking about shaping the ricasso end prior to glue up. I also do most of my handle grinding with scales on the blade.

Also, Nathan.....I agree with you, I don't care for a full height handle dropping straight down at the ricasso, and your transitions look great! I've always liked them. :thumbup:

 

[Emphasiski]

Perfect advice again, this board community has a perfect batting average! :thumbup: Thanks guys!

I ran out of time tonight, to much homework...hopefully I can get to these tomorrow or Wednesday.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, to sum all the posts up....
Shape the front and polish it. If there is a finish applied, even apply that,too. Once on the knife there is no way to get a perfect fit-and-finish otherwise.

TIP:
Tape off the blade up to about 1/4" from the scales before glue-up. Use the blue painters tape. After the glue is partly set, clean off the excess with acetone. When cured, clean up again and then tape right up to the scales. This will save a lot of curse words by preventing scratches on the polished blade.

BTW, I cover the handle part of making a knife pretty thoroughly in the sticky, "How-to instructions for making an knife".

 

[Emphasiski]

Yes, to sum all the posts up....
Shape the front and polish it. If there is a finish applied, even apply that,too. Once on the knife there is no way to get a perfect fit-and-finish otherwise.

TIP:
Tape off the blade up to about 1/4" from the scales before glue-up. Use the blue painters tape. After the glue is partly set, clean off the excess with acetone. When cured, clean up again and then tape right up to the scales. This will save a lot of curse words by preventing scratches on the polished blade.

BTW, I cover the handle part of making a knife pretty thoroughly in the sticky, "How-to instructions for making an knife".

I've read that sticky up and down, I love it. I was just wondering what you pros could recommend I do with that end of the scales before I glued it all up. I tried to get that blue tape, but the wife said I have enough tape. I'll have to sneak out and get some.