Look what I did yesterday!

[taz575]

Been a long time since I did one of these! I found out I can work synthetic materials as long as they aren't wood! Micarta, leather, G10, poly pearl, Kirinite, etc! This is some pink pearl stuff I put on a bolsterless Tojiro DP 180mm Santoku I bought a while back; made it for a friend who loves pink. Had to remember how to sharpen, too! I am going to look at getting some equipment back, but I may be started some rehandles again. I may also try making my own synthetic micarta type material as well in the future and change up my process so I don't get sick from the fumes.

[Carter]

Looks nice, good to see you back Tim.

[timos]

Hey Tim, check out the richlite material from MAsecraft, also theres something called raffir i think. good to see you makin stuff!

[taz575]

Yeah, I've been looking at stuff like that lately. It would be nice to get back into these; they were a lot of fun! I used a 1x30, a home made 2x30 that I have some small 1/2" and 1" contact wheels for to do the insides of the handle curves. Got rid of my big KMG several years ago, so I am looking for something that I can use as a small wheel grinder. I may modify my 2x30 to take a small wheel attachment and use longer belts? I have most of my old Grizzly Knifemaker sander kicking around, so I may canabalize the motor off of that with pulleys to power a newer grinding. I use mostly slower speeds anyway, so I can really step that motor down a lot. I want to get into doing handles on hunting knives again, too.

[Jeff B]

Pretty cool Tim. You made my first custom handle back in 2012.

[taz575]

Yeah, been a fee years since I did a kitchen knife handle! I miss doing them and may look at getting back into it a bit.

[ChefKnivesToGo]

Sweet!

[dc2123]

How much for a handle like that? I likey

[Bensbites]

Nice job!

[joanjet]

Woah this is a color I've been wishing more custom handle makers use!

[taz575]

I like the look of the pearl handle materials, but its a pain with pins because the material is so soft, so I used some micarta rod as blind pins where they don't come through to the top to mess up the pearl look. No idea what I would charge yet? With my limited machinery, its not as nice as what I used to make, but I am not sure if I want to spend $1600-$2000 on a vs grinder at this point to do a few.

[Robstreperous]

Hey Tim! How you doing man? Nice to see you back. Still love that ambonya handle you did on my Anryu.

[taz575]

Was that the one with the honey horn ferrule and end cap? I was looking thru some old pictures a few days ago!

[ken123]

Nice to see you back. Fond memories dealing with 'the rabbi'

Check out the small wheel attachment from Coote to see if it can adapt to your setup.

---
Ken

[taz575]

I have a home made 2x30 currently, debating about upgrading the machinery, but it is expensive. I wanted to get the Jiffy Conversion for 4x36" belt sanders and do a small wheel attachment, but it looks like the guy doesn't make them anymore, so I am looking at other alternatives.