Custom GSO Handles - WIP thread

TRfromMT · May 6, 2017

I have a summer project lined up - to put custom scales on my own personal GSOs (and some other knives). I brought home a piece of some exceptionally curly Koa from Hawaii, dried it and had it stabilized. I cut up the blocks and am going to make a series of handles over the next few (many?) months. Eventually all my personal knives will be shod in scales from one piece of wood. I will post WIP photos as I go. Comments and questions are welcome.

Let me also state for the record - this is not a solicitation for work. I have been warned about that before and I will respect forum rules. Thanks.

Starting with my 2.7...

Psybull · May 6, 2017

That is some killer koa! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Methuselah · May 6, 2017

those will look great... will yer new scales be permanent or removable?

TRfromMT · May 6, 2017

^^^Thanks, Psy.

Methuselah said:
those will look great... will yer new scales be permanent or removable?

Removable. I reuse the stock fasteners and made a stepped drill bit to bore the holes. The scales are dimensionally equivalent to the S!K scales to fit the original sheath. I've made dozens like this and they always fit.

Silver Needle · May 6, 2017

Yes! This will be a fun thread to follow.

I'm looking forward to seeing your updates and finished handles.

TRfromMT · May 7, 2017

I start by roughing them to shape and contouring. I use the knife tang as a drilling template and to trace the profile, then contour to the same shape as the stock scales. When they are all sanded to shape I counter-bore the holes and fine tune to fit the sheath. These have been one and off the knife no less than 10 times.

Then with the first coat of oil...

rcb2000 · May 7, 2017

Oh man, those at going to be killer. Love that wood choice

Goose 7279 · May 7, 2017

Man that koa is beautiful and would look great on my LC ;-). That is some fine work Tony

Hard Knocks · May 8, 2017

The grain sure popped with the oil on it! Going to be fun watching this one :thumbsup:

rcb2000 · May 8, 2017

Awesome, so nice. Looking at the pics, you almost completely forget there's a knife on the other end!

TRfromMT · May 9, 2017

Here is the finished product. I use Tru Oil (maybe 5-8 coats depending on the material), sanded at 1000 grit, then buff them down with steel wool and use basic car wax to polish them back up. Very easy finish to maintain.

TRfromMT · May 9, 2017

I really like the chatoyance in Koa! My personal favorite...

Silver Needle · May 9, 2017

Nice! You move quick. I was expecting these gorgeous handles to take shape over weeks not days. Can't wait to see the rest of the set :thumbsup:

sfrigon1 · May 9, 2017

Very impressed tony! Wow!

Riz! · May 20, 2017

ExtraBaconPlease · May 21, 2017

Stunning. Well done sir, well done.

Texas_toothpick · May 21, 2017

Wowzers!!!

TRfromMT · May 21, 2017

This knife is off getting a custom pocket/slip sheath. I'll post up when it returns...

NXPRSS · May 30, 2017

TR!
BEAUTIFUL handles!!
I saw some work of your custom folding handles out of a necker, I would love for you to do that to mine! Can you email me to talk about doing that to my necker??
Email is Xtreme99LS1@gmail.com
Thanks!

TRfromMT · May 30, 2017

Thanks, N NXPRSS - Sorry, but I'm not doing the folder handles any more. I no longer have access to the machine shop that did the machining on the pivot bolts. Those are now a "limited edition".