WoodsmanJim 160 Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I thought I’d just share a little project I’m up to at the moment. I got a wonderful Fieldcrafter blank for Christmas from the wife which I’m even more glad to have got my hands on one now that Matt has stopped making them. It really is a wonderful blade! Anyway, I’m sure you’re all aware of the quality of these knives so I won’t ramble on too much about them, but if you haven’t got one and ever get the chance to own one, do it! You won’t be disappointed. My next problem was how to choose what to make the handle scales out of, so many choices! Micarta always looks good in a utilitarian kind of way, the Corian stone effect ones the Matt was offering were very nice indeed too! (I nearly bought a white one in his end of shop mad sale!) But as my knife is hopefully going to be something that I can pass on to my son in some very distant year I thought I’d go for a classic look. For this I chose English Walnut, classy and classic I hope it’ll be a fitting finish to this fantastic blade. This also means when I get some nice walnut furniture for my rifle they will be a matching pair. I found some nice looking pieces of wood from an eBay seller for a reasonable price and a few days later they landed through my door. Happily they look as nice in real life as on the advert so I pleased. Not so happily they were very rough cut and had deep gouging all over, one was also slightly warped. Oh well, no bother, nothing that some elbow grease wouldn’t sort out! So tonight I’ve made a start. First job was to prep the sides that will be bonded to the tang as they were far from ready. So I sat down in from of an episode of Ray Mears (seemed appropriate!) with some sand paper and a flat surface and set to it. The warped one took almost a whole episode of Ray passing on his knowledge to get flat but it ended up how I wanted it. Notice opposite corners have been sanded but the middle remains rough. The scratches in the center were very persistent! But eventually it was made flat! This pic shows how much bend there was. Right hand edge is original, left is sanded. The second block took nowhere near as long and before long I could sketch out where I’d like to cut the scales from, making the most of the pattern and avoiding as many problematic bits of the wood as possible. Well, that’s enough for tonight, I’ll keep you posted as things progress. Thanks for reading, if anyone has any tips I’d be more than happy to receive them. I’ve done my research but this is the first time I’ve made knife scales, here’s hoping they turn out ok! Later this year I hope to try the whole process and make some blades from some files I have saved for the purpose. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattydski 560 Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 mega important to make sure the wood is properly seasoned, or it can warp when it is attached to the knife, and break the adhesive bond.. Keep it in the environment you intend to store it in, prior to sticking it to your Blank... I speak ............. from experience... the day before completing a friends present.... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WoodsmanJim 160 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 UPDATE... it's finished!!! tonight I got some man cave time so wasted no time in cracking on with the knife handle. It's not perfect, mistakes were made and lessons learned. But for a first go I really rather chuffed with it! it fits beautifully in my hand, so comfortable. Can't wait to try it out in anger and see if it's still as comfy. feedback welcomed both positive and constructive. Jim This is after I lightly oiled it: 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BROCK DOG 126 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Looks acracking job to me mate very good 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rebel 831 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Very nice, the walnut was a good choice. That's a knife anyone would like to have. very well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the big chief 3,099 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Done a grate job on that mate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Accip74 7,112 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Nice work mate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WoodsmanJim 160 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Thanks chaps, I've done deliberately to have a thicker handle. Slightly thicker than Matts standard handle I think, as I like them that way. One of the advantages of doing your own! Thanks for the kind words guys, glad you like it. Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the big chief 3,099 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Thanks chaps, I've done deliberately to have a thicker handle. Slightly thicker than Matts standard handle I think, as I like them that way. One of the advantages of doing your own! Thanks for the kind words guys, glad you like it. Jim are you making ya own sheeth for it I have enough leather hear for you to build ya own Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WoodsmanJim 160 Posted January 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Ooh, now that is something I'd like to try gafer. I did buy a sheath with it from Matt but my wider handles are a very snug fit and actually stretching the stitches at the top a bit too much. How much do you want for it? Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sussex 5,776 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Nice job , well done . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hobble 11 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Looks great jim, interesting reading your progress. :0) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxy 617 Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Cracking job and post jim. Nice one. I have a midnight blank here which I'm a little unsure as to which timber to furnish it with. How many coats of oil do you intend to give yours. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WoodsmanJim 160 Posted January 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) Not sure Moxy, I don't want it to end up too dark and loose the patterns in the wood. That why I used neats foot oil as it's the palest oil I have. It still went a fair bit darker after only one light coat, so really not sure. I used to subscribe to the "once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, once a year forevermore" principle of oiling new wood to ensure proper protection, but it'd end up basically black! Any suggestions welcome.... The next one I do I'll use a very pale wood with some really defined burls in. Maybe some spalted birch, or something with cats paw in. Don't think I'll make on from such dark wood to start with again. Jim Edited January 25, 2014 by WoodsmanJim 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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