Recommendation? Rehabing an old PAL RH36, info needed...

O

OMCHamlin

Joined
Oct 10, 2000
Messages
184
Hi all, I came into a relic condition RH36 that will need a new stacked leather handle. I have found several sources for the leather, and I suppose I'll need black and red spacers top and bottom as well. My questions are;
1. What is the best approach to remove the pommel, which is side pinned on?
2. What is the max OD front to back and side to side on this handle?
3. I've been told wood glue is fine to use between the discs, is that true, or is there something better?
4. Exterior finish on the leather (on the wild assumption I make it that far...)
5. One or two closeup pics of a pristine handle would help.
Thanks!
 
Here you go...
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OMC, welcome. Your Pal 36 is not beyond refurbishing and it shouldn't take but a couple of weekends by hand. With equipment, one.
Tap the pin at pommel out with a pointed punch. Get a nail the right for the replacement pin.
Handle measures with one red spacer at each end = 4"L and 1 1/8"dia. in the middle. Sand it with 2-300 grit wet/ dry paper to remove rust.
Get some leather and sharpen a 11/4" pipe to cut the disks. Pound the pipe into the leather. Cut the center slot to fit snug. Gluing them is fine.
Once you slide them on and press the pommel in then insert the new pin. Let it all dry. Then shape with coarse sanding first, then finer grit.
Then apply a leather dressing and let it dry. This project is not hard. Good luck, DM
PAL36.jpg
 
The original leather discs were not glued. Cutco sells sets of leather discs for the KaBar knife that should work. The leather should be compressed on the tang.
Once you get the handle on and tight. Start grinding/filing the leather to shape. Always abrade the leather in the same direction.
 
Oh! Thanks Bill, done and done. (The girl at Cutco had zero clue, but not surprising, I suppose...)
 
If you're not confident with making them you can try Sheffield Knife Makers Supplies. They carried them at one time. DM
 
I ordered a set from Ka-Bar (okay, Cutco!), for a great price although the shipping more then doubled the cost. I got the pommel off as well, that damn pin was "snug". We'll see where this goes, maybe I can do something with it. I can't see myself shaping the stacked handle as nicely as the originals, but who knows, until I give it a shot...
 
Thanks tiguy7. The edge and it's bevel on my Pal 36 is not like yours. Mine is more convex. Putting the edge back on it was time consuming work on a stone. That was the style in the 40's thru the 60's. Good luck on the handle. DM
 
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