kukri & bush knife with micarta handle...completed

[Raghavachari]

Crazy!
Why didn't you go full tang?

[Moin.]

Waiting anxiously to see how the Micarta turns out. Which is the resin you are using ? Wanted to try this myself as well....

Regards
Moin.

[Raghavachari]

I tried the micarta. It needs some serious compression. Like a big desk vise.

[Moin.]

Bumpity bumpity bump bump,

Devilman, wiating to see your micarta and the Kukri.... Quick Quick quick with the Pics...I'm sure you've done an outstanding job as always with the Khuk...

Best
Moin.

[marthandan]

moin...sorry to disappoint...no progress. got held up in a few domestic projects and in setting up my "junkyard"

[marthandan]

Crazy!
Why didn't you go full tang?

i kind of like the clean look of a hidden tang and whole handle. anyway, its strong enough.

[Raghavachari]

Crazy!
Why didn't you go full tang?

i kind of like the clean look of a hidden tang and whole handle. anyway, its strong enough.

Yeah I wasn't questioning the strength issue. It would take foolishness or serious (noss style) intent to break that tang.
It is a personal preference so I just asked.

[knifeguy2457]

have started working on my kukri
got the blank made from the blacksmith from my native place. its 18" long and about 6 mm thick.

DSC02329.JPG

had a change of mind and the 18" blank became this. 10 ~ 10.5 " long with a 6.5" cutting length. i want to have a knife that will be the most useful while camping, fishing and for other outdoor activities without scaring the living daylights out of other lesser blessed mortals (NKP's).

DSC02336.JPG

it will have a full convex grind with SS bolsters and a micarta handle.

Hi everyone, I'am New to this forum.

@Marthandan Great Kukri & a great hobby.

[marthandan]

the kukri got held up because i wasnt sure if i had heat treated the blade properly. the blade was just too long for all parts of it to reach non-magnetic and harden properly in my old forge.
so, set up a new one which can heat blades upto 9" long and have now properly hardened the blade. the blade then went into my mom's oven for two tempering cycles at 200'C (30 minutes each)

the next step planned is to soften the spine using a butane torch. it will happen when i source an butane torch. yet to buy the epoxy resin for the jute micarta handle.

guess it will be one long "handling session" considering that i also have 5 blades including the kukri to handle

[marthandan]

brass bolsters on either end. wood core handle (held temporarily with string). to be wrapped with cord. some cordage options being considered are jute, coir, natural fibre (have some, don't know what fibre it is)

DSC03641.JPG

DSC03643.JPG

DSC03644.JPG

[marthandan]

as for the "micarta", its somewhere in there (that's a different knife, not the kukri).

DSC03645.JPG

DSC03646.JPG

DSC03647.JPG

denim fabric with polyester resin (rooflite). i used 40 slips of fabric and 200 ml of resin for this knife handle. i also noticed that too much pressure tends to squeeze out all the resin. in my first attempt, there wasn't enough resin to bond the fabric layers together.

pros & cons of polyester resin:
PROS:
1. very clear. does not stain fabric.
2. wets fabric very well.
3. low viscosity.
4. reasonably strong (hammered a solid cylinder(dimensions - 20mm by 40mm tall) of polyester resin after curing. took a good beating before breaking up)

CONS:
1. very low working time - 10 minutes (starts to gel after 10 minutes).
2. sharp corners chip easily on impact.

will also be trying out epoxy resin. shall post results when it happens.

[Mack The Knife]

brass bolsters on either end. wood core handle (held temporarily with string). to be wrapped with cord. some cordage options being considered are jute, coir, natural fibre (have some, don't know what fibre it is)

I wouldn't recommend such a rough textured handle on a chopper or any hard use knife, unless you are prepared to wear gloves.

Make a thicker wood handle or use spacers to thicken it. Try and merge the bolster and butt-cap with the handle contours. They must flow into one another.

[marthandan]

thank you Mack The Knife.
i guess i didn't explain properly. the kukri's handle will have a wooden core which will be wrapped over with natural fibre cord. the difference in thickness between the brass bolsters and the wood core will be filled by the cord. will post a pic of the finished handle once done.

[marthandan]

some more pics of the "micarta" handle in progress. the blade is a bushcraft knife from an old file.

DSC03648.JPG

DSC03650.JPG

DSC03651.JPG

[Mack The Knife]

I see what you mean but using any rough material / finish will give you blisters.

Give your initial idea a shot and if it works for your level of usage then leave it be.