Moore Maker Armadillo hoof pick

[Reverand]

I finished an experiment today:
A Moore Maker 3208 Trapper with Hoof pick, rehandled in Armadillo armor!

I was just experimenting around with some Armadillo Armor (responsibly sourced from a renewable, local supply!).
First I cut off a piece and dyed it blue. It had a decided curve to the piece, so after soaking it in the dye for a while I placed it between two boards and clamped that in a vise for a week to dry. It remained very flat after that.

armadillo and knife.png (104 KiB) Viewed 4786 times

The knife originally had yellow plastic scales, but the front one had come off.
I replaced the scales without disassembling the knife. I did take video of the process, and should get that posted up in a month or so. I was very disappointed at first as the outer layer kept coming off the hide, taking that lovely blue color along with it. But I was doubly surprised how nice the shell appeared after sanding it. The original grey color is so ugly, but once that outer layer peels off the under-layer is varied in color and still has a texture that provides a good grip. I did have to go over it with a torch to get rid of the tiny prickly hairs that covered it, but after that I am very pleased with the results. There is no bad smell or weird feeling in the hand - it feels very much like bone.
I fully expect to handle more knives in Armadillo in the future, but I will probably not dye them, unless I try it after the pieces have been shaped and sanded.
Experiment: Success!!!

[glennbad]

I like it, looks cool! Maybe you can suspend the scales in some resin to keep them together better?

[herbva]

Very creative Reverand! I don't know where I would ever get Armadillo hide, and would never have even thought of trying to use it for knife scales. I need to start being more imaginative!

[Reverand]

Thanks guys!
I often experiment around with crazy ideas, but they usually don't go this well.
Armadillos started invading our area about 10 or 12 years ago. I had seen them on the side of the road down in South Alabama for years before they migrated this far North into the State.
They eat worms and grubs, and the varmints will tear a yard up overnight. Badly.
We discovered that shotgun pellets bounce off their armor, and we have to use a rifle to stop them. At night, too, as they are nocturnal.
I would not have thought of using them for knife scales until I saw some pieces for sale from an online knife supply store. They were very expensive, and I finally decided that they were strictly used as inserts for leather sheaths until I got a hankerin' to try one and see what it would do!
I believe that I have 3 complete shells that have cured for a couple of years.

[doglegg]

I finished an experiment today:
A Moore Maker 3208 Trapper with Hoof pick, rehandled in Armadillo armor!
IMG_20240907_160022604.jpg
IMG_20240907_160029346.jpg

I was just experimenting around with some Armadillo Armor (responsibly sourced from a renewable, local supply!).
First I cut off a piece and dyed it blue. It had a decided curve to the piece, so after soaking it in the dye for a while I placed it between two boards and clamped that in a vise for a week to dry. It remained very flat after that.
prepping Armadillo shell (3).jpg
armadillo and knife.png
The knife originally had yellow plastic scales, but the front one had come off.
I replaced the scales without disassembling the knife. I did take video of the process, and should get that posted up in a month or so. I was very disappointed at first as the outer layer kept coming off the hide, taking that lovely blue color along with it. But I was doubly surprised how nice the shell appeared after sanding it. The original grey color is so ugly, but once that outer layer peels off the under-layer is varied in color and still has a texture that provides a good grip. I did have to go over it with a torch to get rid of the tiny prickly hairs that covered it, but after that I am very pleased with the results. There is no bad smell or weird feeling in the hand - it feels very much like bone.
I fully expect to handle more knives in Armadillo in the future, but I will probably not dye them, unless I try it after the pieces have been shaped and sanded.
Experiment: Success!!!
IMG_20240907_155952735.jpg

Armadillo!!! I thought they were only useful as speed bumps. Knice job.

[TripleF]

WOW, that's purty cool man!!

[orvet]

You could try dying the shell and then send it to K & G to have them stabilize it. It should stay together and take a very nice polish after being stabilized.
Nice experiment! It looks good.

[1967redrider]

Looks awesome and a cool conversation piece. I'm assuming you glued the hide to the frame?

I have an alligator money clip, wallet and business card holder that are probably pushing 20 years old and I carry them daily on work days. I bet armadillo is pretty tough stuff too.

[Gtrclktr-351]

Armadillo? Who'd a thunk it? Innovative thinking with great looking results.

[Rockingkj]

Very cool and innovative idea! Like it. Be careful walking across the street. Armadillo is car magnet.