First full tang hunter

[Rusty Snuffers]

I have my scales roughly shaped to match the lines of the tang.  Do I drill the holes for the pins and assemble without epoxy before the final shaping and shape it while assembled?  It seems logical to me but I figured I'd ask before I goof it up.  I plan on doing a bit of file work on the spine, so I'm guessing this is the right way to get the shape perfect before I disassemble to file the tang.

Rusty

[Lin Rhea]

Rusty,
        I shape the tang first, leaving it very slightly oversized. Maybe a few thousandths, but not by much. This allows you to get the holes where you want them, since usually they are a margin from the edge. Then I clamp or glue one scale and drill through the tang and through the scale, placing a temporary pin in that hole. Then drill another on the far end of the handle and put a pin there, then drill the rest. Place the second scale on and do the same procedure. Now you an shape the scales to the tang and pin it up. If you have any questions just holler back. Lin

[Rusty Snuffers]

Thanks, Lin.  I have about 1/32 to 1/16 on the bottom with less than that on the top near the spine.  I was going to shape the front of the handle so I'm not sanding near the blade with my newbie equipment.  Here's the blade I got from Jantz.  I'm rounding the front edge of the scales just forward of where the downward curve starts to start the cutting edge.  Basically leaving just enough wood to give the front pin a hold.

 

Am I right in my thinking: set pins as you described above, remove the scales and shape the front curve, reassemble to shape to tang and pin it.

I'd have sent this in a PM but figured others might benefit from the answers.  

Rusty

[Lin Rhea]

Yes, you are correct. When you remove the scales to shape the front, stick a couple pins through them to align them while your working on them and they'll match. You probably know that, but......

[Rusty Snuffers]

My mama always said "assume nothing"...  good thing you were taught that as well.  I hadn't thought of using the pins to shape the scales.  I'm sure I'd have thought of it.... after screwing it up   :D

Thanks again.... as always.

Rusty

[Arrowest]

Hi Rusty,

Here is a photo of this same blank that I modified by cutting the gut hook off and refinishing the spine of the blade.  The scales are stabilized zebra wood.  I installed them exactly the same way Lin has described.  I also shaped and finished the front edge prior to final installation.  I have to throw a little CA glue on to fill some pores, but other than that she is done.  Nice little knife that feels real good in the hand.  

Good luck with yours.


 

[Rusty Snuffers]

Very nice, Dale, and thanks for the input.  I'm doing two of these, one for each of my brothers.  They both like the guthook, so no modification for me regarding the blade.  That zebrawood looks great.  I've got some lighter zebrawood for one and rosewood for the other.  I hope they come out as well as yours.

Rusty