SWC/ Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife - Re-handled

[MartinK9]

Having purchased one of the first batches of the above knife way back in December 2009, mine was affected by the incredible shrinking scales syndrome.

Being lazy I couldn't be bothered to send them back to Woodlore, and just used as is.

At the beginning of the year, I took the plunge and handed it over to Sasquatch to re-handle. I wanted it in antler and the same size as the giraffe Woodlore I have.

This is the result:









To say I am pleased is an understatement, the fit and finish are superb.

Many thanks once again to Chad.

[JP]

Nice thats a proper job buddy!!

[Leon]

Vely nice.

[MartinK9]

Cheers Gents, Chad really did me proud.

[The Joker]

hmmmmm very nice

[luresalive]

shweeet

[Neil]

That's a cracking job!!

[Falcon]

Too right, lovely job indeed

[sasquatch]

Update same as on the other side for anyone interested. Sorry for everybody that knows the process already!



This was what I sent Martin to make sure he was happy with the Reindeer antler I had before starting.



Once he gave me the green light I added runny ca glue to fill the pithy bit and kept sanding it flat before adding liners.



Here's the original.



Taped up immediately to avoid any dings



Scary bit done, scales removed. This made my bum go tight as it wasn't my knife!



I tried to get a couple step bits in the right size for this but failed miserably. I ended up doing it by hand and eye on a pillar drill and ground the bit for the larger hole flat to avoid the angled shoulders inside that could crack the scales when the loveless bolts are tightened. Worked alright but certainly wasn't easy.



All ready to assemble and the epoxy just needs mixing.



Metal cleaned, liners roughed up and epoxy poured.





Bolts tightened and it gets clamped for a couple days and I was left with this.



Sadly I didn't take any pictures of the interesting bit which is shaping the handle scales. I used a rasp and file to rough shape it then hand sanded. Once the main shape is there I tend to clamp the blade in a vice and cut long strips of 120 grit sandpaper and buff it to the desired size. I then do the same through to 1000 grit and take it to the polishing wheel.









Of course there are smarter faster ways to do this, like buy a linisher. I really should oneday but I enjoy using hand tools and elbow grease wherever possible for some reason. Thanks for looking and enjoy the knife Martin!

[MartinK9]

Chad,

Many thanks for posting the process, for us mere mortals it is always good to see the methods used by craftsmen.

Thanks for a superb end product that I will use forever.

Martin