8OT Swinden Key mod and re-handle

[#goldpan]

Now I have to go tomorrow...can't let a cat win.

Good luck with the turkeys! Pictures please!

[#goldpan]

I have two sets of Elk slabs ready. My issue is, which set do you prefer Jim. A or B. They are both nice!

This one is A:

This one is B:

If you can't decide I'll pick a pair and run with it! After I hear back from you I'll shape and pin them on. Final fit and finish is the part that takes the most time for me. I'll post pics of this process for you as I think its best part of the work. Seeing the final appearance slowly come to light is a very rewarding part of the process. Its true character never quite comes out until I am just about finished. I should have your knife in the mail on Monday

[Shorthairbirddog]

They are both nice, but I think A is the one I prefer.

[#goldpan]

You got it Jim! Now the fun starts!

[#goldpan]

Shaping is going well. Here are a few pics of the progression.

I rough cut them on the band saw.

Then I filed them until they were close to the original covers.

Took some work but here you can see that I filed them down to where they almost the same dimensions as the stag.

And their current shape. Next is to take them down to size to fit snugly between the bolsters. Then I will I will match them to the liners and pin them in place. Its getting closer!

[Shorthairbirddog]

Looking good.

Sorry to say, no turkey pictures. Couldn't bring one close enough last night. One more try tomorrow morning.

[#goldpan]

Thanks Jim! Good luck with the turkeys tonight.

[#goldpan]

Oh and here is what everything looks like at the moment. News covers slipped between the bolsters. Looks nice. At this point I would normally grind the Elk to a perfect fit against the liners. Because of the file work I am going to have to do the final fit by hand. Almost there.Soon I'll pin the covers on and shape and sand.

[bestgear]

Randy - I really like how you had the contour of the frame follow the contour of the handles.....she's going to be a keepsake for sure.

[#goldpan]

Thanks Tom.I looked at the Elk for a while trying to find the best way to match the lines in the antler to the shape of the frame. It helps that I cut my own slabs. Both of the cover scales are from opposite sides of the same piece of Elk so that each cover mirrors the other.

[ScoutKnives]

Looking great , you are definitely gifted

[danno50]

Really looking great, Randy!
Dan

[#goldpan]

Thanks fellas! I have one scale ready to drill and pin so I thought I would show what it looks like. Jim you made a good choice my friend!

I had to remove the the other cover and start over because the cover slid a little when I was gluing it in place. No problem though. After the glue cures I'll have this scale matching the other in no time! Man she is starting to look nice! I'm going to have to put some Elk back for myself!

[Shorthairbirddog]

That is great, exactly what I was looking for.

[#goldpan]

I have the other scale clamped and glued so I thought I show the set up for insuring that everything stays flat while it dries.

Here is the set up.

Here is the set up for drilling the holes through the scales.

Placing the handle pins and peening in place.

As soon as the glue cures on the other scale I'll get it looking like the first. After that its time to drill the holes for the rocker pins and do the conversion to regular bolster pins. Jim I would have gotten further along if I was using preformed Elk slabs. Cutting and shaping from a full antler is time intensive. And of course my glue flub with cover on the other side didn't help . I'm still on schedule to get your knife in the mail by Monday. Glad you like how its starting to look Jim. After it goes back together and gets the fluff and buff spa treatment you wont believe the difference!

[Shorthairbirddog]

No rush Randy. I can't hardly believe that it will look better then it does. It's almost to pretty to hide in my pocket now.

[#goldpan]

Last post for the night. I wanted to get a better feel for what she is going to look like. So I placed all of the components on a knife stand to hold it all together and get a pic.

Her she is:

[#goldpan]

After taking off for Mom's Day I wanted to show you where we're at. We getting close!

Next step is peening the pins and filing and sanding. Then the fluff and buff!

[Shorthairbirddog]

I really really like that.

[#goldpan]

Here it is Jim. Hopes it meets your expectations. The edges darkened up more than I wanted. But I think its nice.

I get her in the mail tomorrow!

[gsmith7158]

Very nice Randy!

[Shorthairbirddog]

I think it is VERY nice. Now the agonizing wait to have it in hand.

[glennbad]

That sure came out nice!

[#goldpan]

Thanks guys! I'm glad you like it

[philco]

Looks really nice. Well done Randy !