Working with neoprene

[Justin Howell]

Hey guys,

Pretty sure I am going to put a neoprene hanbdles on the knife I am getting ready to build due to it being a hunting kife and was wandering what are the techniques used for shaping and finishing this. Thanks and God BLess

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I do hunting and fishing knives with neoprene handles.

Use good grade slow cure epoxy (I use System Three T-88 and dye it black) to bond it to the tang.
Use Corby bolts to attach the scales during glue-up. Only tighten them finger tight ( just enough to hold the scales to the tang).
Clamp the ends with light pressure mini-clamps, to prevent any lifting of the ends - don't over clamp.
Grind to shape with a slow speed 120 grit belt.
Go to a 400 grit belt to smooth things up, and then hand sand with 400 grit to remove the "lines" and marks that the belt leaves. It won't ever get shiny or totally even in shade ( lighter and darker areas), so quit when it looks good enough.

Neoprene gets a matte gray look, which isn't all that attractive, but the grip is superb and works well when wet and cold. When covered with fish scales or deer blood, the owner doesn't care about how pretty the grip looks anyway.

 

[David Wesner]

Good question Justin and right on time :thumbup: :thumbup:

I just forged & finished a Chopper using Horse Stall Mat for the first time as handle material. It turned out pretty good IMO, and my customer was quite pleased as well.

I really want to try the neoprene too, on the next Chopper I make with rubber like handles.
I thought the Horse Stall Mat worked OK (on the grinder), it looked OK (on the knife), and for an outdoor user knife, it felt, like you said Stacy, superb in it's grip-page and shock absorption.
I think Neoprene might be even better though, aesthetically, but that's just a hypothesis ???

Thank you very much for the tips bladsmth :thumbup:

I have a big favor to ask ......... could you please post a of couple pictures, for comparison sake, of a hunter or fillet knife you've done using neoprene handle material ?
I saw your oyster knives, but I've never seen a Hunter, Chopper or Fillet knife you've made.
Pretty Please

FWIW, Here's a couple pictures of the Chopper I just forged using Horse Stall Mat for handle scales.
Just for the record, I used Loctite 326 on the steel and the activator on the scales. You couldn't get them off now if you tried, not without destroying them. They're stuck for good !

 

[parbajtor]

I would recommend the horse stall mat over neoprene anyday. The neoprene we get in the UK is mainly used for diving/surfing wet suits. It tends to "pill" in the hand when used as a handle (particularly if chopping) and wears away very quickly. Your stuff may be different though.

 

[Nebulae]

my neoprene gets really hard, and losses its grippiness, so I would also second the horse stall mat

 

[Justin Howell]

David, that is a great looking knife and it sure fits the desxcription. I tell you, that neoprene is going to be hard pressed to beat the looks of that, mainly because of what bladsmith said, everyone I have saw with that has been used lost it's color after a while and gaded. Beat that horse mat doesn't. Great looking knife bro.

 

[David Wesner]

I would recommend the horse stall mat over neoprene anyday. The neoprene we get in the UK is mainly used for diving/surfing wet suits. It tends to "pill" in the hand when used as a handle (particularly if chopping) and wears away very quickly. Your stuff may be different though.

my neoprene gets really hard, and losses its grippiness, so I would also second the horse stall mat

Wow guys, I wasn't prepared to hear that info regarding neoprene. I really appreciate both of you saving me the grief of having to find that one out the hard way :thumbup: Thanks very much !!

David, that is a great looking knife and it sure fits the desxcription. I tell you, that neoprene is going to be hard pressed to beat the looks of that, mainly because of what bladsmith said, everyone I have saw with that has been used lost it's color after a while and gaded. Beat that horse mat doesn't. Great looking knife bro.

Thank you Justin :thumbup: I didn't mean to highjack your thread, but like you, I was getting ready to try out the neoprene too.
If you're considering using the Horse Stall Mat now, I'd like to share what I learned working with it so yours turns out good too.

First, just so you know, the Horse mat certainly won't win any beauty contests. But for a working knife, I don't think you'll find a much more secure and comfortable handle material.

Some tips in regards to how I worked the Horse Stall Mat .......... after glue-up I roughed in the shape using a 36 grit 3M 967 Cubitron belt, then moved to an 80 grit belt of the same type.
From there I went to 120 grit then 220 grit Klingspor J-Flex, the yellow belts. I found sharp, brand spanking new belts worked best.
220 grit belt finish is as far as I went and what you see in the pictures.

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to PM or shoot me an email

Thanks again for bringing this up :thumbup:

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'll try and shoot some photos this weekend.

I have not had any problems with the neoprene I get from the knife suppliers getting hard. It is a good firm sheet material and has made good handles so far for me. I also use horse stall matting, and while it works, it is really rough looking.
Just like some of the gals I dated back in the 60's, rough looking performs the same as good looking,sometimes better,...... but good looking is easier on the eyes. Back then ,I didn't care which felt better in my hand

I use horse stall mat for handles that really need a firm grip, and where looks are not important. I have a concern with using horse stall mat on hunting knives used for dressing game, as it seems to have lots of nooks and crannies to retain blood and stuff, making for a very unsanitary handle. The smooth and tight neoprene does not have this concern.