Author Topic: How I Handle a Knife  (Read 43774 times)

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Offline Red

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How I Handle a Knife
« on: February 13, 2012, 10:24:03 PM »
ok, so a while back Remo007 bought a kit from me. its a woodlore blade, o1 steel 5/32" thick. he got some beautiful stabilized scales with it. he ran into a little trouble installing the lanyard tube, and cracked the bottom of the scale off. being the sport he is, he continued working on it, and made the other side match. we named it the "Tacti-lore" due to the bottom half of the tang being exposed lol! nonetheless, he sent it to me for an overhaul.  once i got it, i drilled the loveless bolts out, and broke the scales off.

ran into some minor snags after that. when applying the new finish to the blade, the bottom part of the handle had deep cuts in it from where he had been filing the scales. gouged the metal pretty bad. no big deal... TAPER THE TANG!!! so thats what i did, i tapered the tang down, and it now looks like nothing ever happened to it before hand. the following is a build along that i plan to make a sticky, this shall be part 1. tomorrow ill make a video of how i finish the handle scales and shape them.



here is the blade minus the scales that were on it. look at the butt and notice the deep gouges :)


we found some great looking scales, i call them "burnt orange". they are stabilized box elder burl as usual ;)


so first, decide the orientation of your scales (pick a top and a bottom)


next, get your liner material of choice and draw them out


once you have all the lines drawn, go ahead and cut them out.



next is over to the glue station. i lay some newspaper or phonebook pages down, so the overflow of glue doesnt glue the scales to the bench.


i just use a small scrap piece of leather to spread the glue, you can use whatever you have around :)


apply the glue to both surfaces like so:




be sure to spread the glue evenly over the entire surface on both the liner and the scale.


next (after both scales are glued with the liners) i lay another phone book page over the scales, and place a block of wood on top of them. then i clamp the block to the bench with C clamps.
this applies even pressure across both scales.



once the glue has cured, remove the blocks and paper and examine your scales. make sure there are no gaps between them and the liner. if there are, fill the void with glue and re clamp.



while i was waiting for the liners to cure, i started tapering the tang.



after the scales are totally done drying, go ahead and sand the overlaping liners flush with the scales.



next step is to get the 45? angle on the tops of the scales. i use my 6" disc sander for this part.


set the table at 45? and begin sanding the tops.



once done, they should look something like this.





next step is very important, as if you skip it its really hard to correct later on. apply the final polish on the tops and get them all nice and shiny. its really hard to do this once its glued to the blade :/




ok, back to the gluing station :D get another scrap (or whatever you used to spread the glue the first time) and repeate the gluing process like before.




acetone. its your friend. use it to remove glue from your fingers, AND the parts of the scales you just polished up!!!! i use q tips to clean the area where the scales stop at the top.


clamp that biotch down and find something else to do while you wait for the glue to cure.



ok now, PAY ATTENTION!!! after the first scale is cured all the way, go ahead and start removing the excess wood. this first cut is VITAL!!




now, after you have the excess removed, go ahead and drill your 2 pilot holes for the loveless bolts and the lanyard tube.





i strongly recommend spending the 3$ and get double fluted bits. they really do make all the difference :p




i did this one pretty close to the edge of the spine, so there really wasnt much to cut with the scroll saw so i just sanded it real quick to get it flush on the back side.


ok, this is where you should be now.




now, repeat everything i just taught you, and get the other side glued up!!!








i hope you were paying attention earlier.. remember that VITAL cut i told you about... be sure to repeate it on this side as well...



if you paid attention, now you have enough scraps to make a matching FIRESTEEL later!!



ok, now cut off the rest, and finish drilling your holes ;)




sand your lanyard tube and loveless bolt collars now. i had to skip a few steps, as i really needed both hands to install everything correct before the glue set up on me. apologies if i hurt your feelings.


once the lanyard is in, countersink your loveless bolts, glue the collars into the holes, PACK the threads of the bolt with glue and screw em in!!




here are some random shots of finish sanding and buffing.






















"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline MATT CHAOS

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2012, 09:08:13 AM »
You really make it look too easy!  Beautiful!
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Offline Highlife

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2012, 12:41:11 PM »
I still can't believe that this only takes a few hours from start to finish, even working extra slowly to try to take pictures and video.

Kudos, and thanks for the lesson.  Now if only looking at pictures was enough to develop skill and experience...
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Offline Nelson

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2012, 12:46:49 PM »
You really make it look too easy!  Beautiful!

I whole heartedly second that! Sure that wouldn't be the case if I gave it a try.
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Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #4 on: February 14, 2012, 01:01:34 PM »
You really make it look too easy!  Beautiful!

I whole heartedly second that! Sure that wouldn't be the case if I gave it a try.

you wont know until you try :) and now you have a whole forum of knowledge to tap into :D
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline Nelson

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2012, 01:33:41 PM »
You really make it look too easy!  Beautiful!

I whole heartedly second that! Sure that wouldn't be the case if I gave it a try.

you wont know until you try :) and now you have a whole forum of knowledge to tap into :D

You're absolutely right. But there is no way I could right now. I would love to but too many time and logistical restraints as it is.
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Offline Remo007

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2012, 06:37:31 PM »
THAT be MY Blade, and she's GORGEOUS!!!! 8) Thanx Red for posting this Rehandle Tutorial for us here @ B&B!!!
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Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2012, 07:04:24 PM »
my pleasure :D
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline Fire Steel 703

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2012, 05:06:29 PM »
wow!!!!  great job.  thanks for the tutorial.
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Offline Mr. Tettnanger

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2012, 10:45:45 PM »
This was very helpful.

Thank you!

Offline JTD

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2012, 08:32:48 PM »
Great tutorial.. Thanks alot Red!

Offline Frugal Bohemian

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2012, 08:10:12 AM »
Awesome!  Nice to see how the pros do it.
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Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2012, 06:09:16 PM »
Awesome!  Nice to see how the pros do it.

lol, no pro here man! this is a trade that the day you quit learning, is the day you quit doing it.
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline Barbarossa Bushman

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2012, 03:36:06 PM »
Great tutorial. Do you flare the lanyard tube at all?
"When times get rough and times get hard, the fat get skinny and the skinny die. Good thing you had a little fat on you when you did." An old friend

Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2012, 03:48:36 PM »
nah, there really is no need to. the glue holds it good and tight, sometimes i will taper them with a countersink bit.
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline Mr. Tettnanger

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2012, 02:39:36 PM »
Is there any file work in getting the final palm swell and other handle hills and valleys or is it all just sanding to get the contours?

Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2012, 03:45:53 PM »
Is there any file work in getting the final palm swell and other handle hills and valleys or is it all just sanding to get the contours?

not for me. only knives i use a file on is when im squaring a handle for a pommel plate. all handle contouring is done on my 4x36 belt sander, and by hand :)
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline C3 Knives

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #17 on: April 25, 2012, 05:34:38 AM »
Love it.  It's cool to see how we do things slightly differently.  Different yet the same.  Great lookin blade!  :cheers:
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Offline kanukkarhu

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #18 on: June 17, 2012, 08:40:32 PM »
ok, so a while back Remo007 bought a kit from me. its a woodlore blade, o1 steel 5/32" thick... we named it the "Tacti-lore" due to the bottom half of the tang being exposed lol!

And now, I own it! :D

I will keep the name "Tacti-lore" and use this knife with pride!  It is a beaut!  Hopefully the first of more Redneck knives for me... :thumbsup:
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Offline Remo007

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #19 on: June 18, 2012, 07:34:51 PM »
ok, so a while back Remo007 bought a kit from me. its a woodlore blade, o1 steel 5/32" thick... we named it the "Tacti-lore" due to the bottom half of the tang being exposed lol!
[/quote

And now, I own it! :D

I will keep the name "Tacti-lore" and use this knife with pride!  It is a beaut!  Hopefully the first of more Redneck knives for me... :thumbsup:

Redneck Knives are like Lays/Jays Potato Chips,.... Can't have JUST one!!! ;D  Just take care not to have your privates tacked to the fridge! :) YOU will WANT ANOTHER. She is a great feeling Blade, isn't she!??? 8)
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Offline kanukkarhu

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #20 on: June 18, 2012, 08:13:51 PM »
ok, so a while back Remo007 bought a kit from me. its a woodlore blade, o1 steel 5/32" thick... we named it the "Tacti-lore" due to the bottom half of the tang being exposed lol!
[/quote

And now, I own it! :D

I will keep the name "Tacti-lore" and use this knife with pride!  It is a beaut!  Hopefully the first of more Redneck knives for me... :thumbsup:

Redneck Knives are like Lays/Jays Potato Chips,.... Can't have JUST one!!! ;D  Just take care not to have your privates tacked to the fridge! :) YOU will WANT ANOTHER. She is a great feeling Blade, isn't she!??? 8)

Yes, she is an awesome blade!  And I can see how you'd want more than one like her! :)
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Offline Remo007

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #21 on: June 24, 2012, 04:55:59 PM »
Hey Guys!!!
                   Traded a great trade with Kanukkarhu, so I needed to get another Redneck Woodlore. Red sold me a 2012 O-1 White Corian Kit with Brass pins & Lanyard hole. I put it together today. In no way a Red Built Wonder, but she fits my hand beautifully, and I built it, so I'm happy with it. Here it is for better or for worse: :cheers:








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Offline kanukkarhu

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #22 on: June 24, 2012, 05:30:25 PM »
Very nice!

So glad you got another!

Now, hold on to that one!!!
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Offline Remo007

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #23 on: June 24, 2012, 05:35:36 PM »
That's the Plan Amigo!!! 8)  Still very Glad to have the Navaja!!! :thumbsup:
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Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #24 on: June 24, 2012, 07:10:32 PM »
good job remo!!! it will serve you well :D
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline Remo007

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #25 on: June 24, 2012, 08:16:31 PM »
I know it will Red! Thanx for kicking one more kit out the door before shop closeup, during the Hot( er) months. I enjoyed putting this one together, and the Tut really helped, so kudo's to you! :cheers:
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 08:18:18 PM by Remo007 »
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Offline greyhound352

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #26 on: June 24, 2012, 08:55:14 PM »
Looks great Remo I like the way you profiled the handles and that is one cool looking tooled sheath.
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Offline Remo007

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #27 on: June 25, 2012, 04:17:43 AM »
Thanx Greyhound!!!
                                The Handle fits my hand/paw nicely, and that sheath is from the very first blade I bought off of Red years ago. SAW is my initials, so that's what I scribed on there + the Vinage, all with a Rotary Tool Burr Bit. 8)
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Offline The Warrior

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #28 on: July 12, 2012, 10:45:28 AM »
Awesome tutorial Red. Bookmarking this one. ;)
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Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #29 on: July 12, 2012, 06:22:01 PM »
Awesome tutorial Red. Bookmarking this one. ;)

glad i could help :)
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Offline madmax

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #30 on: September 06, 2013, 06:47:18 PM »
Very helpful brother.  I'm going to start cleaning the garage up for a few more pieces of equipment.  Thanks for the great tut.
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Offline Mitchinashed

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How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #31 on: September 25, 2013, 05:49:30 PM »
Hi I'm new to the forum, I've made a couple of knives which I'll post pics of in due course, but I'm still learning and have a long wAys to go before I can make a knife like the one pictured here. I've a couple of questions which I hope someone can answer...
1. The liner material mentioned in this thread - what is its purpose and what sort of material did you use in the above knife?
2. Loveless bolts - I think that's what you call them... What are they made of? Stainless steel?
Great looking knife and a brilliant tutorial! Many thanks :-)

Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #32 on: September 26, 2013, 05:34:11 PM »
Hi I'm new to the forum, I've made a couple of knives which I'll post pics of in due course, but I'm still learning and have a long wAys to go before I can make a knife like the one pictured here. I've a couple of questions which I hope someone can answer...
1. The liner material mentioned in this thread - what is its purpose and what sort of material did you use in the above knife?
2. Loveless bolts - I think that's what you call them... What are they made of? Stainless steel?
Great looking knife and a brilliant tutorial! Many thanks :-)

Hey bud, thanks for the compliments.  The liner material used is vulcanized fiber liner. Its like plastic construction paper. When you glue it to the knife handle, it seals against the steel, preventing the handle rusting under the scales. And they add extra flare to custom knives.

As for the loveless bolts, you can get them in various forms. This particular knife had stainless steel bolts, but you can find them in brass, copper, and use them in any combination for cool looks.
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline Mitchinashed

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How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #33 on: September 26, 2013, 08:14:27 PM »

Hi I'm new to the forum, I've made a couple of knives which I'll post pics of in due course, but I'm still learning and have a long wAys to go before I can make a knife like the one pictured here. I've a couple of questions which I hope someone can answer...
1. The liner material mentioned in this thread - what is its purpose and what sort of material did you use in the above knife?
2. Loveless bolts - I think that's what you call them... What are they made of? Stainless steel?
Great looking knife and a brilliant tutorial! Many thanks :-)

Hey bud, thanks for the compliments.  The liner material used is vulcanized fiber liner. Its like plastic construction paper. When you glue it to the knife handle, it seals against the steel, preventing the handle rusting under the scales. And they add extra flare to custom knives.

As for the loveless bolts, you can get them in various forms. This particular knife had stainless steel bolts, but you can find them in brass, copper, and use them in any combination for cool looks.

cheers muchly :-)

Offline Red

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #34 on: September 26, 2013, 10:46:45 PM »
"Big drama next few hours.. But whatever happens, no matter what they tell you.. Don't let 'em take them chains off me.."

Offline StringRash

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Re: How I Handle a Knife
« Reply #35 on: October 13, 2013, 10:56:27 AM »
This is the best entry-level tutorial I've ever seen. Thanks Red.