Im crippled due to an accident, and if possible, I would like to find a skinning knife, or something close, that has a larger than normal diameter handle. I have searched the internet to no avail, so maybe Im entering the wrong words for my search. I hate push my luck, but if it had a rubberized grip of some kind, then that would be a bonus.
Got any friend that make knives or That could rescale an existing? I'd love to help you out but I haven't touched my bench in 2 years. Getting old sucks!
You can try this https://www.rehabmart.com/category/kitchen_knives.htm Or this. https://www.arthritissupplies.com/adapted-knives-and-utensils.html
Not sure where you are in TN but if you're close to the Smokey Mtn Knifeworks (SMKW) I would take a ride there. If they don't have something to fit your need then you may have to look at a custom knife. Should be able to find a custom maker locally to build want you need. SMKWs is worth the visit even if they don't have something for ya! Good luck and keep us posted.
Just thinking of creative solutions if the above recommendations don't work out. How about lengths of bike inner tube around the handle to increase the diameter, or some manner of rubber grip?
One option (a DIY proposition) is simply to find a knife that meets your needs and wrap the handle with cord until it fits your hand. Here's a site that goes into the ins and outs of "coxcombing" as it's called... http://www.frayedknotarts.com/tutorials/coxcombing/coxcombing.html At one time it was common for sailors to decorate or enhance the tools they used daily so that they'd work better or just be something personalized - and this might be just the ticket for someone needing a custom knife handle without the cost of have a custom blade maker doing the work for them...
https://www.arthritissupplies.com/meat-cutter-rocker-knife.html https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019535557 https://www.buckknives.com/product/141-paklite-large-skinner-knife/0141FAM02/
Same here but thanks for mentioning that. I dont have any friends that work on knifes. This might be the ticket. Thanks Im in middle TN, about 1 hour west of Nashville. We plan on going to East TN sometime in May. I will keep this in mind. Thanks https://www.smkw.com/ Not a bad idea. Thanks Another good idea. Thanks Great ideas. Thanks for all the great help. I definitely have something to go on now.
Bike handle tape. I did an old Estwing with it as the leather was shot. Stretchy, grippy, and comes with an adhesive finishing tape.
I came across this video awhile back and he makes a hoof knife for shoeing horses and the handle is made from thermoplastic beads that he boils in water and than molds together to fit his hand. I don't know how durable the stuff is but he seems to like it and uses the knife in later videos. It seems like you could buy a skeletonized knife or even a kit knife blade that you like then use these beads to mold any size handle that you want. You'd get a custom handle with the blade shape you like and would need almost no tools. (the handle making starts around 28 min mark)
Cheap friction tape can be used to build up a handle or you can use bat tape. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/rawlings-premium-synthetic-replacement-bat-grip
I've seen some knives with paracord handles that look attractive and are inexpensive. Not hard to do either. I've never seen it done, but there is no reason why a paracord handle couldn't be used over a factory handle to make the grip larger. https://www.wikihow.com/Wrap-Paracord-Around-a-Knife-Handle
How big a handle are you wanting? I've got a gerber I re-scaled a while ago that's got a kinda fat handle. Used it as a dive knife for a while since I never used it while hunting. It's about 7/8" thick and 1 1/4" wide at the widest point. It probably wouldn't be too had for me to make another set of scales, or a solid wood grip that was larger
Right now Im seriously considering bike handle tape. I will keep your link as well. Thanks Our youngest son who is in the Marines told me the same thing over the phone recently. Im considering this option if I havent done anything yet, when he visits around Christmas time. Thanks Well the handle needs to be around 1-1/2 to 2" diameter if possible. If you are making an offer to me to help, then I sincerely appreciate it, but Im uncertain of what Im going to do just yet. We either plan on traveling to east TN to a knife store and meet with our son, or wait until our son comes home, or possibly order some bike handle tape. Its going to need to be pretty non-slip grippy. Thanks
I didn't know what size grip you were looking for, and since I don't use that knife figured i might as well offer it to you, and see if it was close to what you wanted. The bike handle tape should work. I used electrical to upsize up the grip on my brush clearing sickle when I was working up at the landlord's place. Could do that then grip tape over the top. That actually what I did for my tennis rackets when I still played, now that I think about it.
I have wrapped many items with paracord. It's not fancy braided or anything but it's very easy to get and stay tight. If you are familiar with a hangman's noose it is the same principle. You don't have to leave a lanyard loop. Also note that the lanyard loop is NOT the noose in the hangman's knot. It is a separate loop in the cord. The noose would be on the right in the photo below, it ends up just being another wrap around the flashlight. Start by wrapping it as tight as you can and leave enough on the loose end that goes under the loops to pull it tighter when you are done. You may have to use pliers or a vise grip. You could probably use glue but I never do. You can see the coils stressed by this in the photo below:
Sure do appreciate it. Im leaning toward the handle tape, but still not sure. Thanks Yes sir. Sounds good and looks like a great job done there. I will keep this option in mind for my son to do, as he is much more capable of doing a much better job than I ever could. Thanks
If you go with handlebar tape, go for the real cork and rubber stuff. Newer synthetics are not nearly as grippy. I wonder if the wrap used for golf clubs might not be more nonslip. I have used silicone sealant, such as the type used for doors and windows, to make handles of tools less likely to slip. It is not pretty but has worked as intended. Finally, I will suggest that the final grip be oval so that the blade is more easily indexed. If paracord, small half-round or small skewers to bump out the bottom, possibly bedded in sealant. Good luck.
I've used U/V-setting resin to sculpt knife handles recently. Just put a gob of the stuff on the existing handle (or tang), slide a plastic bag over it, then grab it in the way that you plan to hold the knife. Once you have the shape that you want, expose the handle to a U/V light source or direct sunlight until it sets, then remove the bag and sand away anything that annoys you.
