How to Make Knife Handles: Crafting Your Custom Grips
Table Of Content
In this guide, we’ll go over some best practices for achieving excellent results. Our expertise is not limited to any particular brand or type of knife. Case & Sons pocket knives, all types of kitchen cutlery, as well as numerous pieces from World War I and II, Civil War era pieces and other 19th-century relics. At Olde Towne Cutlery, we specialize in providing an array of services, with emphasis on knife repair and restoration. From kitchen knives to custom blades, pocket knives, machetes, and swords – we’re your one-stop shop for restoration services.
Shapes of Handles for Knives
It (Micarta) comes in a wide variety of colors and can be left with a rougher texture for improved grip, even when wet. It is very popular with custom makers and it can be found on some production knives as well. G10 and Micarta can be had in myriad colors and can be contoured or textured to provide a solid grip.
Bones For Knife Handles
Consequently, an extremely stable, complex, and robust material is produced. FRN, on the other hand, is a fiberglass-reinforced nylon-based material. FRN has excellent dimensional stability and is more impact resistant than G10 while not being as challenging.
How To Make A Knife Handle With Hand Tools
Short handles are very undesirable for knives that will be worked hard. They should be long enough for all fingers to squeeze the handle comfortably and securely. The size of the hand is key to finding the proper handle for you.
Knife tang types and how this impacts the knife handle
Sometimes I got it right, and sometimes I just made a mess of the handle. It’s an extremely lightweight metal alloy, and it provides the best rust resistance of any metal. It’s a metal heavier than aluminum but still considered as a lightweight metal and much stronger. It's is one of those rare metals that has a warm feel to it, so it doesn’t make it suffer in the winter time like aluminum. Titanium can have a unique and attractive color through the anodization process which is particularly common on custom knives.
Start by placing the handle material on a flat and stable surface. Use a ruler or measuring tape to mark the desired length and width of the handle. Pay attention to the overall size and proportions, as well as any specific dimensions you have in mind. Use a pencil or marker to mark the measurements and outline of your handle on the material. Another more unusual material you can use to make a knife handle is epoxy grout, and if you have some left over from another project like installing a shower, you can have a go. That’s exactly what this blogger did, and you can learn how to do it from this tutorial.
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The full tang knife will be heavier in the handle than that with a partial tang only, which gives weight to drive the cutting action. For a full tang knife the balance of the knife is often tilted towards the handle, depending on the knife’s design and manufacture. The 2 main types of knife tang can run about halfway through the knife handle (partial tang) OR can go the whole length of the knife handle (full tang). The best knife handles will be pleasing to look at and easy to market as eye catching products but will also give superior functionality and ease of use to the buyer. It’s best to start by creating a comfortable handle with finger grooves.
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This step enhances the appearance of the handle, provides protection against moisture, and increases its durability. It generally has a smoother finish than Micarta, but the grip can be enhanced with whatever texture or grip pattern the make or company chooses to apply. G10 is a common material on custom and higher-end production knives. Bone or horns are probably one of the earliest materials used for knife handles due to availability from game animals killed for food. Let’s take a look at the various knife handle materials used as well as their pros and cons under both normal and extreme use. Western style knife handles, called ‘yo’ style in Japanese, are often oval or tubular shaped and sit very comfortably in the palm of the Western user.
Design Considerations for Handles for Knives
A partial tang can be glued or welded to the knife handle or riveted in for greater strength. A slightly angular Japanese ‘wa’ handle offers good sideways grip, so it’s a wise choice for preparing slippery ingredients like raw fish. To craft a knife handle yourself, you need to decide on the characteristics it should possess and its shape. Of course, one can purchase a suitable option from a knife store or order a product from an online store.
Rubber handles are practical and work well in foul weather conditions or when your handle is slippery with water or blood. They make a good choice for hard use hunting and military knives. You typically see rubber handles on mass produced commercial knives from companies such as the ones shown here from Gerber and Benchmade. They generally are aesthetically pleasing to most users as well. All in all, they’re a classic handle that works well, looks good, and makes use of natural material. Bone can dry and crack, or absorb moisture and expand, so while it certainly can and has been used in its natural state, it’s best stabilized for use in handles today.
Each step is clearly explained and there are lots of photos to show you exactly what’s required, making this an ideal tutorial to follow, even for beginners. Another common knife type, clip point blades frequently appear on pocket and bowie knives. The spine dips halfway down the blade, usually in a concave shape, although it may be straight too. Good knife design is something that comes with time and experience. There are two main things you’ll want to keep in mind when designing knives. The second thing you’ll want to make sure you’re doing is creating a design that doesn’t disrupt the flow of the lines defining the knife shape.
There are a number of synthetic knife handle materials available to today’s knife retailer and these offer real benefits to the customer. Knife blades and razor sharp cutting edges are seen as the sexy parts of a knife and often hog the spotlight. However, the knife handle is fundamental to good knife performance, and no competent knife seller would be complete without appreciating knife handle design.
These knife handles are made from stag antlers discarded by the animal. The right one will depend on what kind of knife you’re making as well as how you plan on using it. If you’re just getting started with knifemaking or you’re looking for a head start on your next project, pre-made blades and kits may be right for you! We offer knife blanks that have already been forged, hardened, and sharpened, so they’re ready for handles, file work, or engraving.
With these skills, you can craft unique and sturdy handles that perfectly complement your blades. Knife handles can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, G-10, Micarta, bone, horn, and synthetic materials such as carbon fiber or Kirinite. Knife handles are an important part of any knife, as they provide support for grasping the blade and increase overall comfort. While many knife enthusiasts choose pre-made handles, making your own handles can add a unique, personal touch to your knife and can even make it easier to grip.
As you work on refining the handle shape, periodically check how it feels in your hand. If necessary, make additional adjustments to achieve the desired grip and feel. Once you have the rough shape of the handle, use a rasp or a file to further shape and contour the handle. Be mindful of the material you are working with and adjust your technique accordingly.
Because the whole tang is not inserted into the knife handle, these knives are not as durable as full tang knives and are best for light to medium cutting tasks. For the socketed method, narrow tangs are suitable, onto which handles are fitted. They can be of various shapes and sizes, allowing for the realization of design and stylistic ideas for the knife’s appearance. The weight of a knife with a socketed handle is much lighter, making it suitable for prolonged, energy-intensive tasks. Keep moving up the grit scale until you achieve the fine finish you’re looking for.
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