Custom knife handle

[skmo]

I've got a nice McCurdy kukri style knife I really like, but the buffalo horn scales get fairly loose and are too slick for my liking. Do any of you have a recommendation on someone who could make a nice set of micarta scales for this? They'd obviously have to be custom made for this thing alone.

 

[Valkman]

How are the scales held on now? Would they be easy to take off? If so I could put some micarta on there for you.

 

[hso]

Got a pic of the handle?

Is it the Modern with full tang and slab scales?

 

[skmo]

Here's a couple shots. If the brass butt is a concern, leave the thing off, but I'd like to know the slabs are secured to last through me having to kill all the Wight walkers in Game of Thrones, or at lest many years of batoning firewood for my new wood stove.

 

[skmo]

By the way, Valkman, a blast from the past as I was cleaning up old files...

 

[Valkman]

Wow! A Landshark sighting! Neat neat neat!

 

[hso]

You could rehandle that yourself if you have a drill press (or pay RC to do it for you).

 

[skmo]

Basic hand tools, nothing power other than a few cordless things. That's why I'm looking to pay someone else to. Had to pretty much sell everything I had to move to where I live now.

 

[chameleonbear]

If you have a hack saw, and a half round file, and a cordless drill you could do it too.


IF it was me, and you're obviously smarter than I am since you're trying to get help, drill out the pins, use the handles as a guide for the new ones, cut out the shape with the hack saw then do the contouring with the half round file, then drill the hole for the bolts and then attach and finish with some sandpaper to smooth...

That is of course what I would do.

 

[skmo]

What do you think, Valkman?

 

[rcmodel]

IMO:
The second photo seems to indicate an uneven tapered tang, much thicker at the front, then at the rear.
And thinner yet in the middle.


That would take some doing to exactly fit Micarta scales to the tang.

Unless you were willing to settle for less then perfect fit, and be happy with epoxy bedding that would be secure, but somewhat unsightly.

If the horn scales are loose?
Put some CA adhesive in the joints. (Hot Stuff, Crazy Glue, etc.)

If the scales are too smooth?
Wrap them with friction tape, ball bat tape, etc.

I think if I were to re-handle it seamlessly on that goofy tang with canvas Micarta?
I would have to charge more then the knife is worth to do it!

rc

 

[lemaymiami]

One other thing you can possibly do with that existing handle - after you secure properly in one of the ways that RC recommended is to simply stipple it with a sharpened nail or a pointed punch in whatever manner makes it a lot less slippery in the hand (if the horn material will allow it without cracking or chipping). I've seen both machete and pistol handles that have had that treatment and the results weren't bad looking - and certainly allowed a more positive grip. Believe I've even seen a few pics of that sort of treatment on this page in the past.... Hope this helps.