Looking for suggestions for someone to put scales on a couple of blades

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Fat_46

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I have 2 blanks I need to get handled - any suggestions for decent scale makers?

I'm also going to need sheaths, and would prefer leather, so I'll take those suggestions as well!
 
It's not that difficult (if I can do it anyone can).

Full tang, reduced or stick tang?
 
Full tang on both. If I understand the process I'll need the handle material, appropriately sized pins, and some epoxy. Trace the tang onto the scale material, cut, shape, drill, pin & glue, polish. Is that about right?

I'm going Micarta for one, and some sort of fancy stabilized burl for the other.

If nothing else it may be a great opportunity to buy a band saw and a belt grinder!
 
Full tang on both. If I understand the process I'll need the handle material, appropriately sized pins, and some epoxy. Trace the tang onto the scale material, cut, shape, drill, pin & glue, polish. Is that about right?
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Yep, thats how I started. give it a try. And Messerist is a good mentor.
 
Interesting thread---I too have been thing about buying a Fallknvien S1 (full tang) blade and having it fitted with stag grip plates to match some of my SAAs w/stag. Recommendations?
 
If I understand the process I'll need the handle material, appropriately sized pins, and some epoxy. Trace the tang onto the scale material, cut, shape, drill, pin & glue, polish. Is that about right?
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Add some acetone to that and it looks right - acetone really cleanes up epoxy. This isn't real hard, but the main thing is to finish the front edge of the handle BEFORE installing, because it's impossible to do after.

I too have been thing about buying a Fallknvien S1 (full tang) blade and having it fitted with stag grip plates to match some of my SAAs w/stag. Recommendations?
Click to expand...

Stag is a little different as you must thin the slab from the back. The best way to do this is with a 4 x 36" grinder with a 50 grit belt. Still easy. :)
 
Fat_46 said:
I have 2 blanks I need to get handled - any suggestions for decent scale makers?

I'm also going to need sheaths, and would prefer leather, so I'll take those suggestions as well!
Click to expand...
It always starts out like this. I only want to add some scales to a couple of blanks. Welcome to our world.
I have some Maple Burl I send you, just email me. Epoxy is messy, I use Gorilla Super glue instead.
 
You don't have a flat file with one edge ground off yet.
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Sure I do, but the "S" shape I put on the front edge won't let a file get it to much of it. I'd much rather finish it to 400 grit and buff it so it looks like glass before I epoxy it.
 
Sure I do, but the "S" shape I put on the front edge won't let a file get it to much of it. I'd much rather finish it to 400 grit and buff it so it looks like glass before I epoxy it.
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Word ! Hard to get that rounded shape on the front after the handle is in place. Rather than have the scales begin at a right angle to the blade , I prefer to have the front angled , gives it a nicer appearance , and makes sheathing/unsheathing easier.
 
I picked up some tools and a decent block of stabilized "ink line" maple...and this is how the first set came out:

scales_1.jpg



scales_2.jpg


I didn't want to put holes in the wood for pins, so I made the pins go through the blank, and 1/3 into the wood on each scale so they're hidden. Its not a perfect job, but who attains perfection their first several hundred attempts! :evil:
 
Valkman - I just sent some extra large walnut crotch burl blocks off to be stabilized - they will be going on to one of your D2 fughters.
 
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