Choose My Knife's New Handle

[pinnah]

I'm considering getting one of my daily users modified by getting the handle material replaced and would like to get some feedback both on aesthetic issues and, very importantly, on function and durability issues.

The knife in question is a Schrade Old Timer 5OT G. This is the version of the Bruin and differs from the 50T in a few ways. It has a carbon steel blade (instead of Schrade + staintless), brass bolsters (instead of nickle) and green derlin handles (instead of brown).

Here's a crummy picture of the knife.

The knife itself is pretty much everything I want in a daily carrier. It's small, thin, fairly light and classically styled (nothing wrong with tactical style folders but they don't move me). Most importantly, it has a carbon steel blade whose shape I like and the locking mechanism that is pretty stout. I have an Opinel in my rotation which I like a lot, but honestly, the locking ring has its limitations which I think about real hard when it's knife vs plastic retail packaging. The 5OTG is functionally perfect but I frankly don't care for the green & brass combo, hence the interest in getting the handle modified and the need for advice.

Aesthetically, I want something classic enough looking, probably in a dark brown. I'm not looking to make silk out of a sow's ear, but a more traditional brown would be much preferred.

Functionally, I want something durable and comfortable in the hand. The knife will get day-to-day use, including bike touring, ski touring and backpacking. The knife will get knocked around a bit and I'm a bit nervous about using a handle material that could crack, given that it lacks a bolster on the butt end. The most comfortable holding knife I have is my Opinel, which lost it's shellac a long time ago, so I sanded down the handle and treated it with Tung oil. It's a wonderful knife to hold, so I have a slight bias for wood in this regard.

I think of three options. The first would be to use wood. I think the wood/brass combination is classic and I like the feel of it. But I'm worried that wood will be prone to cracking at the butt end. Is this a reasonable worry or are there wood choices what will be more durable in this regard?

Second option would be to go with plastic again. The brown color of the standard 5OT would be an improvement. If I found a wrecked donor 5OT, could it be used as a donor for a handle transplant? Could a good knife mechanic fashion an entirely new plastic handle?

Third, would bone be a reasonable option here? I've never owned a knife with real bone. I like the look well enough but am concerned about durability. But my concern here is out of ignorance.

Lastly, could anybody suggest knife mechanics who might be able to take this on? I've been trying to dig through the list of AAPK stores but there's no easy way to find stores that do modification work that I can see and the few that I've found are either booked out for over a year or have stopped taking orders.

Thanks so much!

[alan141]

Dave, any of your handle choices would be a great one. Plastic would lite 'en up the load in your pocket if thats a concern (that's why I carry the Gerber I pictured in the EDC thread). The 50 OT w/ carbon balde is a great knife.

Personally I see nothing wrong with the green sawcut delrin handle and think they look great against the brass. Everybody that seen mine like it.

I have a early 90's green bruin that I did a little customizing on years ago. When I get home from work this afternoon I will try to put up a pic.

Alan

[jerryd6818]

You may want to consider G10 or Micarta. They both come in several colors and both are tough as nails, especially the G10. Check out Alpha Knife Supply for color samples. - http://alphaknifesupply.com/zdata-g10micarta.htm

Developed sometime around 1910, Micarta is a trademark of Norplex-Micarta industrial high pressure laminates. Invented in 1912, Formica is a competing brand. Common uses for Micarta are kitchen counter tops, electrical insulators, printed circuit board substrates, and knife handles.


Copied from the Alpha Knife Supply web site.
G10:
G10 is a composite made of layers of glass cloth and epoxy resin. It has very high flex, impact and bond strength.
Note: G10 is a predecessor to FR-4, a Flame Retardant Class 4 designation for glass reinforced epoxy laminate. G10 does not have FR-4's self-extinguishing flammability characteristics.
Micarta:
Micarta is a composite made of layers of cloth or paper and phenolic resin.

Micarta is not as strong as G10, but it still is very strong. It has been The Steel of the Plastic Industry". In addition to knife handles it is an excellent material for making jigs and fixtures. When I make fixtures I drill & tap holes directly in micarta without threaded inserts. The threads have never stripped.

Natural micarta is a yellow or tan. As it ages the color turns to a red/brown.

Finishing Tips:
When you sand G10 and micarta the layers look similar to wood grain. When you are finished sanding the handle may look chalky or dull. If you want the original color:
1) Wash the handle thoroughly with Dawn dish soap
2) Spray the handle with WD-40
3) Wash the handle with Dawn again

To make the handle more "grippy" sandblast the finished handle with course aluminum oxide or silicon carbide abrasive. Use the washing tip to restore the color.

As for someone to do the job? There are several that hang out at AAPK. Take a look down in the Knife Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. They will stand out from the everyday posters. Click on - http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... m.php?f=48

[Paladin]

Micarta is about my very favorite for a user. Durable and looks nice.
If it were me, I'd leave the saw cut delrin on the Schrade and find another knife with handles I like.

[smiling-knife]

I think a dark wood would suit that very knicely s-k

[pinnah]

Micarta is about my very favorite for a user. Durable and looks nice.
If it were me, I'd leave the saw cut delrin on the Schrade and find another knife with handles I like.

Paladin,

I *could* be talked into another knife but I've not found anything else that has the combination of size, thinness, solid lock and (this is the deal breaker generally) carbon steel. Again, functionally the 5OT is everything I want in an EDC. I admit that I spend more time trolling around old catalogs looking at older knives and I'm pretty ignorant about newer knives.

I did find the CRKT Centofante Tribute, which is really really close to perfect. But it's stainless, not carbon steel.
http://www.crkt.com/Centofante-Tribute- ... back-Knife

[jerryd6818]

Buy this one - http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCHRADE-USA-OLD ... 1e662fd9a5 and have it re-handled for EDC. Keep your old buddy as a collectible. There are options galore.

[alan141]

Here's some pics of the one I customized a little. Any of your choices, or the G10 suggested would be good. Dont think you will go wrong with any of them. Good luck, I'd to see what you come up with.

[rangerbluedog]

A nice jigged brown bone would be tough enough!
Here's another option for ya. There are some folks making an acrylic tortoise shell material that looks a lot like the old celluloid. That would look great on that knife!
Or, if ya like the really bizzaro: At the BLADE show in Atlanta this year, I ran across a guy who makes knife handle material out of stabilized ARMADILLO SKIN! Looks good all polished smooth.

[philco]

At the BLADE show in Atlanta this year, I ran across a guy who makes knife handle material out of stabilized ARMADILLO SKIN! Looks good all polished smooth.

I thought that was a food booth.

[WAYNED]

OSAGE ORANGE.. It can be found on line for sale and is hard enough to burn a new saw blade.You won't live long enough to see it go bad.

the one you have seems to be fine as you describe the plus's.Good luck with your venture.
Have a Knife Day..

[Paladin]

At the BLADE show in Atlanta this year, I ran across a guy who makes knife handle material out of stabilized ARMADILLO SKIN! Looks good all polished smooth.

I thought that was a food booth.