A knife handle is an important part of any knife, and it needs to be attached properly to the blade. There are a few different ways that this can be done.
One way is by using a screw that goes through the pommel and into the tang of the blade. This is the strongest way to attach a pommel, but it also requires access to both sides of the sword.
Attaching the pommel to the tang
A pommel is generally attached to the tang of a knife by means of a threaded stud or rivet. The stud or rivet is pushed through a hole in the center of the pommel and peened over on the underside to secure it.
There are several types of pommels. Some of them are made from materials like antler or wood.
Others are made from poured pewter. They were common in the 17th and 19th centuries, but are probably not a good choice for your first project.
Another style of tang is called a skeletonized tang. This is a sophisticated, modern method of reducing the weight of a knife handle without sacrificing its structural support.
Some tangs are molded to the handle material and then fastened. The two pieces of handle material form scales, which are then fastened to the tang with pins, screws, bolts, or metal tubing.
Sharpening the blade
Sharpening the blade of a knife is a process that can make your knives much more useful. By using a sharpening stone, you can create an edge that’s both smooth and sharp, perfect for your purposes.
First, you should choose a stone that’s coarse enough for your needs. Sharpening stones are available at most hardware stores.
Use a lubricant on the coarse side of the stone to help the sharpening process go smoothly and without any unwanted particles getting on your knife. Some types of sharpening stones do not need any lubricant at all, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the stone.
Start by running each side of the blade over the coarse grit on the stone five to six times. After that, switch to alternating strokes to evenly bevel the knife and finish with the finer grit stone. Repeat this step until you get the sharpness you want on both sides of your blade.
Finishing the blade
A knife’s blade finish can influence both its aesthetic and practical qualities. Whether you’re looking for an attractive work finish or want a quality coating that will help extend the life of your knife, there are a number of different options to choose from.
The three main goals of a blade finish are to hide scratches, provide a less reflective nature and increase corrosion resistance. The most common types of blade finishes include a stonewash, bead-blasted and satin.
Bead-blasted finishing refers to a process where the blade is blasted with small glass beads or sand at very high pressure, forming tons of tiny dents that help hide any scratches the blade may have.
Satin finishing can be anywhere between a bead-blasted finish and a mirror polish. It is achieved by sanding the blade repeatedly with increasing grit, and in multiple directions.
The final goal of the satin finish is to achieve a low sheen that will be pleasing to the eye and functional for everyday use. This finish is generally used on high-end knives, and takes a lot of time and labor to achieve.
Making the sheath
The sheath of a knife not only keeps your blade secure, but it also protects the edge from damage and keeps it sharp. Whether you’re an adventurer or just want to protect your knife, a good sheath can make a big difference.
First, make sure that the sheath is thick enough to support your knife’s weight. Generally, sheaths made from thin leather are less sturdy than sheaths from thicker materials.
Next, use a rowel tool to make deep grooves in the sheath material. Ideally, you should make about 6 holes of grooves per inch of sheath material.
If you’re a beginner, try making a few of these grooves without a rowel tool. You can also use a fid to create deeper indentations.
Once you’ve got the sheath shaped to your liking, cut out the sheath from the leather piece and shape it to the knife’s outline. You can even sand and dye it if you like.