Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Oct 10, 2008 07:37pm | #1

   I have no clue how traditional knife makers do this, but I'd just chamfer an edge like that on a belt sander.

   (Took me a while to figure out what you meant by "wavy pattern" -- I assume you mean the curved line where the flats of the handle meet the chamfer, which in turn is made to result in a circular butt surface.)

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   anvlts | Oct 10, 2008 07:48pm | #2

   Sorry about not being very clear. I am new to this and am quite sure how to describe these things properly.
   Could you elaborate how you would round the edge? Would it be easier to have the belt sander in horizontal or vertical position? Would you use some sort of guide to keep the angle constant?Thanks,
   Marko

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Oct 10, 2008 08:16pm | #3

   I'm not sure you COULD describe that any better -- just one of those things that's tough to put in words.

   I do this sort of thing with the belt sander on it's back on my bench. (I don't have a stationary sanding machine.) I do this stuff freehand, but if you want to use a guide, you could fashion a ring to fit over the handle to rest on a tool rest at the sander and just turn the tool as you press the handle gently against the sander. The ring would keep the round true.

   I just thought of another possibility -- A stick tennon cutter.

   View Image

    Make the handle, cut a stick tennon and chop off the tennon part. Not cheap, tho'.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

1. 
   anvlts | Oct 10, 2008 08:24pm | #4

   Thanks, I will try the belt sander method.Marko

1. 
   thumbnailed | Oct 10, 2008 09:50pm | #5

   Just a suggestion, since you're new to this stuff, don't try to learn the necessary techniques on your good wood handle blanks, but make up some junk wood blanks and when you get the desired result with the junk, do exactly the same process on your good blanks, until you get the result you want. Saves a lot of aggravation and money while learning to solve basic woodworking problems. Enjoy .

2. 
   Ray | Oct 11, 2008 01:42am | #6

   It looks like the butt end of the handle was finished on a sander.  You can do it with a file, but a small belt or disk sander would make it a lot easier and faster.  I use the little Delta 1X42" belt/disk sander combo in my shop for making hunting knives.  Also, a buffer makes finishing the handles a snap.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/10/2008 6:43 pm ET by Ray

1. 
   anvlts | Oct 11, 2008 01:50am | #7

   Thanks for the response. Would buffer alone be sufficient to finish the butt or one still needs to do it on the sander and then buff it? Marko

1. 
   Ray | Oct 11, 2008 02:14am | #8

   Once you're satisfied with the fit and finish, a buffer with a fine compound will put a nice polish on the handle.  It does need to be sanded and smooth.  Buffing compound is in a stick of hard wax, so it does a nice job on small items like knife handles.  If you want to leave it natural, I'd just use wax on the buffer to polish & shine the handle.