I got inspired last night at about 9 PM and decided to put a sexier handle on my Scrap Max 460.

This was my first hidden tang rehandle job and it was pretty challenging. A hidden tang also gives you much more freedom with the handle shape which was a little terrifying. I tried to just stick to the regular handle profile but it ended up a little different. Mainly its not a stocky and has a bit more flow to it. I spent 12 hours on this knife and while there's a lot of room for improvement on it I think it turned out nicely. It looks very rustic and old timey and I love it! I was very concerned about handle strength so tried to pin it in a way so that weak spots would be minimized. I think the handle is pretty solid and the blade will break long before the handle goes anywhere.

I used canvas micarta, curly Koa from Burl Source, a single micarta pin and 6 stainless pins + tubing. Sealed the whole handle with boiled linseed oil. Drilling all the holes in line and not hitting the tang on my tiny drill press was a nightmare. I think a precise and powerful drill press is an absolute must if you're a knifemaker.

Ill take some photos in the day light tomorrow but here are some indoor/ nightime shots. The photo's do this thing NO justice. Mark's Koa is just amazing in person. It looks alive.

Edit: After looking at it in the sunshine today I'm very pleased with how it turned out. This knife is DEAD SEXY.

Real photos added!

Edit: Photo's dont seem to work here. Here's the BF link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showth...d!-Check-it-out




[img]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Hgma222/photo-136.jpg?t=1345139132[/img]



[img]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Hgma222/photo-144.jpg?t=1345138766[/img]

[img]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Hgma222/photo-142.jpg?t=1345138576[/img]
[img]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff499/Hgma222/photo-138.jpg?t=1345138612[/img]

Looks like the pics are no bueano.

Photo bucket is under maintenance <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Hopefully it will be back up soon.

Ok I uploaded the photos to image shack while photo bucket is down. They should work now.

That looks great! Just drop the point some and make it into a sweet lookin Kephart. Nice job!

Very nice work.

Beautiful job brother!!!
That REALLY makes me want to send you a SM!!!
DIBS!!!!..... if it heads for the X!!!

Nice job, Kal!

that looks great brother. I personally love the original handles they come with. loved them since I got my wardog, then the b4 and now the 460. they feel great. though you definitely churched it up a good amount. well done

Good stuff Kal that koa and micarta go well together make yourself a nice leather sheath and yu'll be good to go <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I won't be going that route, but I did round off the pommel of my wardog and Scrapmax and it feels a lot better to me by doing nothing more than that.