The Better Idea! Knife Scaling 101

[1911Glock]

After looking at the cost of the Zebra Wood, I haven't done this in a while, the fact that I'm keeping "Up Swept Blank" when finished as a part of my keeper collection - not as a working knife, I decided to start with another blade blank. Finished the blank to 90%, needs final buffing and honing after completion of scales.

Epoxyed the first scale tonight after rough cutting (1/8" larger all around tang) them to fit the new blank. Needs to dry for 24 hours before drilling it, then epoxying the opposit side. These scales are of India Rosewood (easier to get and 30% less cost) and the knife blank is a Damascus 300+ layer 1095/15n20 R58 clip point hunter, 4.75" blade.



http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=113


http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=112

I will continue this thread as I progress with the project. That way anyone who is interested in the process can see what it takes to do this. Could not show the rough cutting as I can not operate the scoll saw and take the photo at the same time.

[Baldy]

Great and thanks for showing all stages:smile". I have always wanted to do one but I get cold feet all the time. :eek"

[1911Glock]

Great and thanks for showing all stages:smile". I have always wanted to do one but I get cold feet all the time. :eek"

A good way to start is to buy a kit knife and follow the instructions. I still have my kit knife somewhere and have used it with much pride, as it was my first project. Was it a 100% perfec,t No!, but it looked nice and I did it. I work on more difficult one today but, that came with practise and time.

Good inexpensive complete kit to start with from Premium Knife Supply is:

http://www.premiumknifesupply.com/-strse-155/S40-Woodsman-Skinner-Kit/Detail.bok

Has syn-stag scales and is ready to go, you could add a guard but, that will make the project a little harder to do. They provide a how to DVD in the kit. You can finish the project with tools you already have, drill wth bit, files, fine hacksaw blade, sandpaper, and you may need to buy a small clamp to hold it together while the scales dry.

Side two of scales attached, and I am getting ready to cut the brass pins to size. About a .5" longer than the total thickness of the rough handle each.

I use 5 minute exopy to attach the scales.


http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=114

[erice303]

This looks like a great project. I am planing to make a drop point tactical from http://www.knifekits.com/ (http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=2_336&products_id=1742).

You seem like a bit off an expert, do you know what size copper pinstock would go with a 0.2 in hole? The closest they carry is 0.218in.

[1911Glock]

do you know what size copper pinstock would go with a 0.2 in hole? The closest they carry is 0.218in.

Use the next size smaller. You want the pin to slip thru the hole and not bind. That will keep you from cracking the scales later when you are using your knife. I epoxy them in place.

Drilling Pin Holes, I marked them with a small dedent at the begining of the project. You can drill out the first side before you epoxy the second side on and then use those holes as a guide to drill the second side.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=116

Cutting the pins, be careful the saw blade or the knife blade can cut you while you are working on this project.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=117

I guess I need to follow my own advise, fold stiff paper over sharp edge of blade and tape in place.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=118

and I still need to do the final honing of the blade!

Pins smeared with epoxy and slipped into place to dry overnight.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=119

Stains on surface are a little of my sweat and BLOOD. Sharp edge now covered. I will file the pins down during the shaping and filing of the scales into final form.

Please do cover the sharp edge of the blade before starting to work. Do not forget as I did, I guess I have played with these project so long that I just do it and do not always follow all my own working guidelines.

Remember safety glasses and mask while working to keep the bad stuff from harming you.

[1911Glock]

This looks like a great project. I am planing to make a drop point tactical from http://www.knifekits.com/ (http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=2_336&products_id=1742).


I have done this one from them for several of my friends:

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=2_3_9&products_id=16

Nice kit and my friends like their knives and use them reguarlly. I used exotic wood on two, syn-stag on one and micarta on another. All came out looking good. This is the micartia we used on the last one:

http://www.knifekts.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=40_218_310&products_id=1599

Knife Kits . com has a reasonable product and is a good way to start in this.

Good Luck with your project, have fun with it.

[Bucky69]

Looks like a candidate for the "Negligent Knife Wounds" Thread! :eek"

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=118

[1911Glock]

I filed the pins to the same level as the wood today. Knife blade taped & in vise to assit with gripping it without getting more blood all over the place.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=122

Side 1.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=123

Side 2.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=121

Now comes the hard part, file with a rasp the basic form for the handle. My rasp seems to have disappeared. I need to go buy a new one. Or figure out who I loaned it to.

[1911Glock]

Rough filing completed

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=129


Time to final sand scales with 2000 grit sandpaper and do the buffing

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=128

Nearly finished!

[erice303]

that is starting to shape up... good work

[1911Glock]

that is starting to shape up... good work


Thank you erice.

This next photo is after 10 coats of Tung Oil, sanding with 1500 grit between each coat.

http://flaguns.com/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=130

Now I need to buff it all out with very fine (blue) compond on my 4" wheel, followed by a couple of passes on the 8" wheel. The actual process can not be photgraphed as I need both hands to do it.

I am going for a rustic feel on the final product. Kinda like a mountain worn look.

[Baldy]

That's looking better all the time. You sure do good work there sir. http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/king-041.gif

[fisherking73]

NOt seeing any of the pics, am I missing something? :confused:

[Bucky69]

NOt seeing any of the pics, am I missing something? :confused:

Yes, the evolution of a beautiful looking knife.

[fisherking73]

Why are the pics not showing for me??? :mad:

[1911Glock]

NOt seeing any of the pics, am I missing something? :confused:

You can go to my albums to see the photos:

http://flaguns.com/album.php?albumid=14

Hope this helps.

Due to work and family, I have not had much time to work on the project. I also jusst got shipements of blanks and scales - need to open the boxes. to see how they look

[fisherking73]

Thanks, seems like I was not logged in, even though I could post:confused: once logged in "officially" I guess, can see all the pics. Like that Randall in your album, I think my grandfather has one pretty similar, not sure if it is his Randall or Ruana though that looks like that. Very nice work you got going there for sure!