Shapleigh DE Rescale Project

[Simple Man]

Here is a nice DE Punch I ran across that was in dire need of scales but in pretty good shape otherwise. I wish I could have salvaged the bone, but it was too far gone.

Before


Before


Paper Micarta


Rough cut


Glued on

[Simple Man]

Clamped


Dry, ready to shape


And I got busy working on it and half forgot to take pics and half didn't want to get the camera so dusty. SOOOOOoooo, here is the finished product. Dry, not oiled yet.


I was wanting to keep the patina on the bolsters, but that was impossible, So I plan on carrying it with keys/coins/etc. to bring back the dullness/patina to match.

[Simple Man]

Oiled


Oiled Pile side


Finished with original bone. I may try to sand the scales a bit more, but carry it for now.

[Old Hunter]

Classy way of recovering an old knife - looks very nice now.

[wiseguy]

thanks for the tuttorial ,,,,,looks great

[glennbad]

That's some cool looking micarta.
Nice save!
Glenn

[Chief RID]

How did you get the handles off without taking the knife apart? I see one handle pin hole broken. Did you replace the hinge pin? Great looking restoration!

[Simple Man]

Thanks for the comments, I like the HOK's (Honest Old Knives) and especially when they able to be revived. Lot more character than most new ones. This one had good liners, action and pretty decent blades.

Na, the pile side scale was missing totally and the front scale was wobbly loose. All it took was a light prying to release it from the hinge pin. I have not gotten into re-pinning any yet, so I just dremeled them down flush to the liner. One I did previously, a Spyderco Kiwi, I used a small sharpened screwdriver to gently remove all the (bone) scale material and scrap all the glue off.

Only thing I really don't like about this one is the vast difference in patina between the blades and bolsters, but I'm not about to polish the blades. The bolsters will catch up soon enough.

It still doesn't have any more monetary value than it did before, but breathing new life into one and letting it be used is worth much more. Don't be afraid to dig into one, what are ya gonna to tear it up worse?

[whitebuffalo58]

Very nicely done, Simple Man!

WB

[Dave O]

The reward is in just looking at it and feel that you have accomplished something worthwhile to yourself. I love it. Way to go, and thanks for the post.

[orvet]

Nice job!

It is very satisfying and addicting isn't it?

[Simple Man]

'Fraid so, Wife wasn't too fond of it though.........Micarta smells rough when sanded/burnt with equipment.

[glennbad]

'Fraid so, Wife wasn't too fond of it though.........Micarta smells rough when sanded/burnt with equipment.

Wait till you work with bone...

Glenn

[whitebuffalo58]

Or Buffalo Horn!

WB

[gringo]

or attempting to dye bone...coyotes love it...women make a funny face...

[ironmage]

Well done and nice knife.

[Chief RID]

Thanks for the explanation about the technique on the handle replacement.

[Simple Man]

Here are a few updated pics that show the color/texture better. I also sanded the scales a some more. I'm callin it done....

[orvet]

'Fraid so, Wife wasn't too fond of it though.........Micarta smells rough when sanded/burnt with equipment.

You should really wear a respirator when sanding micarta as it is resin and linen, canvas or paper.
G10 is resin and fiberglass....... don't want that in my lungs!!!!!

[knife-nut]

'Fraid so, Wife wasn't too fond of it though.........Micarta smells rough when sanded/burnt with equipment.

Wait till you work with bone...

Glenn

It kind of smells like when your dentist is drilling or grinding on your teeth. Pretty nasty smell.

[Simple Man]

Yup, I was at least using a mask. I do know better than to grind on G-10 without a respirator.

Too funny Knut, that was what my wife thought, she said the smell made her teeth hurt..