All About Pocket Knives

Got this barlow in a group. Not to crazy about the shell handles so tore it apart and built own liners. Only second mod i have ever done and was some firsts for me, put in shield and used head spinner. It turned out ok but as was final buffing it kinda got thrown and put couple dings and mad pin visible. Don't have much in the way of tools just drill bress and files and lots of sandpaper. Do have some in progress pics. Learned a ton and that's what it's all about.
Sorry didn't have before pics but here are handles to start.

OK my phone messed up and wouldn't let me post pics so had to break out computer.
More WIP pics

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First time inletting shield with template and shield from USA knifemaker. Used walnut as didn't want to screw up nice piece of wood.

Got it put together

Some final pics, buffer got ahold of it and put a few dings in the wood and made the pin visible on one bolster and will probably fix but am happy with how it turned out. Gonna be a user anyway and will use lessons learned for future projects.

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Final pic. Kinda PIA to post pics as have lots more but this will give you some idea. Not as good as some of you guys work on here but I am trying.

Beautiful work...

Great job!
You learned, had fun, and came out with a nice knife!

Nice work. I love walnut handles. My Case knife has 42 year old walnut handles on it. I've been carrying it for 20 years and it was well worn when I got it.

Wow! That came out super nice. It looks like you made new brass scales, yes?

Great looking knife.

Good job Ken. You'll just get better and better as you get more practice. That turned out very nice.

Excellent Job! Can you explain in detail the process you used to inlet the shield. I have the template and shield from USA Knifemakers but I just haven't tried it yet. Yours looks great. Thanks

Thanks all for the replies as am happy it turned out OK but not as nice as I have seen others do here. Yes I did cut new brass liners as the old ones had notches cut in them for shell handles and soldered new n/s bolsters. As far as shield I started with flat scale thinned down some. I then place handle on the flat block of steel you see in pics. It is about 2 1/2" wide on 4 sides and little over 3 long. It has inch holes drilled all the way thru so after putting handle on, placed template over then clamped with little spring clamps. On my little drill press I then lightly drilled several holes down the middle. Then switched to a small dremel bit sort of end mill cutter to remove most of middle. I then took a small diamond burr to gently go around my pattern. I can do some pics if interested.

Pictures would be Awesome if you don't mind. Thanks

Ya done pretty darn good Ken! It's a handsome knife.

Looks good, turned out nice.

I'll get some pics of my process tomorrow. Bear in mind my first time so I just winged it.

That sounds great. Thanks

not a $3 knife anymore, wonderful; work

That's a good looking knife, I love the old Barlows and you have breathed new life into it!

Great looking custom!
Those old Imperials have great steel in them.
That should be an excellent user!