Choose My Knife's New Handle
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:21 pm
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!
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.
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!
s-k
I thought that was a food booth. 
