copper handle pins?

[deltablade]

I saw in a Foxfire book a method of attaching handle scales using copper wire as pins. have any of you tried this? would make a neat looking handle with copper rather than brass.

 

[Salem Straub]

Copper is pretty soft. Not as structurally sound as many other metals you could use for pins. That said, I'm sure 90% of the time it would never be an issue if you used it. One thing to watch out for, if you peen the pin be careful as copper may bend and split the wood if hammered indelicately. I had this happen as a teenager repairing a knife.

 

[butcher_block]

i have used copper once for a hidden tang blade it was not fun as i had to work harden a piece of large gauge copper wire then put it in my mill (didnt have a lathe) and spin it true

sounds like you are looking to do things a bit different

 

[Dan Pierson]

I use copper pins more than any other metal on my knives and have yet to have a problem.
That said, I buy copper rod instead of trying to true up wire and I glue all of my handles.

 

[David Sharp]

Most knives I make use 10 AWG bare copper wire for pins (leftover ground wire from my shop build). Straighten determine proper drill size and away you go.

Big fan of copper.:thumbup:

 

[deltablade]

thanks guys,most helpful

Most knives I make use 10 AWG bare copper wire for pins (leftover ground wire from my shop build). Straighten determine proper drill size and away you go.

Big fan of copper.:thumbup:

 

[Los Angeles]

I love copper.

If it is curved and at least half hard (or less), all you need to do to straighten copper wire or rod is roll it between two hard, flat surfaces.

 

[arcadiaknives]

I have a bunch of grounding wire from some old light posts I found on my property. It's 6ga and looks great on a handle. Most guys don't use the pins as a structural element anyway so use whatever looks good IMHO. BTW the Nessie I got in the KITH from Dan Pierson has copper pins and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Pat

 

[Los Angeles]

One other thing about copper is that it is extremely reactive. It takes VERY LITTLE exposure and/or handling to change color. I've taken to forcing a patina on it and sealing it with wax or acrylic spray to "fix" the color. Others like it to change naturally. Just know that the bright polished orange color you work hard to acheive usually won't last very long.

Here's an example of my work that has a liver of sulfur patina.

 

[Jack O'Neill]

One other thing about copper is that it is extremely reactive. It takes VERY LITTLE exposure and/or handling to change color. I've taken to forcing a patina on it and sealing it with wax or acrylic spray to "fix" the color. Others like it to change naturally. Just know that the bright polished orange color you work hard to acheive usually won't last very long.

Here's an example of my work that has a liver of sulfur patina.

OK Kent , I need to know , what is it ? Looks like a cool spice rack

 

[Los Angeles]

It's just an odd little sculpture based on a scale. The bottles slide along the track and if it's out of balance they can hit the spikes below.

one bottle contains sterling silver shot and the other bottle contains lead letters like the ones used in old printing presses.

At the time I was sorting out what was more important to me, learning the craft of silversmithing (represented by the sterling silver) or working with ideas and concepts (represented by the letterpress type). This sculpture was a personal declaration that I wanted to do both simultaneously.

 

[beaterAR]

It's just an odd little sculpture based on a scale. The bottles slide along the track and if it's out of balance they can hit the spikes below.

one bottle contains sterling silver shot and the other bottle contains lead letters like the ones used in old printing presses.

At the time I was sorting out what was more important to me, learning the craft of silversmithing (represented by the sterling silver) or working with ideas and concepts (represented by the letterpress type). This sculpture was a personal declaration that I wanted to do both simultaneously.

Holly .....im still confused, im going to just call it neat:thumbup:

 

[blindhogg]

Awesome sculpture, the story really makes it better.
Love the patina also.
Cw

 

[Los Angeles]

Thanks. It's kind of weird hanging out here sometimes. Many of my pieces have no purpose other than to look at.