All About Pocket Knives

I scored this WESTERN a while back in a lot.....The leather stacked handles were shot so I stripped whatever was left off.

I'd like to re-handle it but have only hand tools.....no power tools.

Any suggestions on what to re-handle with?

Hey Scott,

I did one like this years ago, kind of the same thing where the leather washers were going bad. I ended up just using some nice wood. You should be able to do a good job with just the hand tools. Rasp files for taking down the wood to rough contours (after you glue them on, of course), then sandpaper to smooth things out. You can use some decorative nickel silver pins or something if you have access to a hand drill.

If you need some wood, let me know what you have in mind, I may have some scales that you could use.

I have one somewhere like that I intend to put stag on it and pin the stag through the tang on each edge.
Those knives are awsome steel and worth the repair work!


Be sure to kill that rust on the tang or it will eat it up eventually.
Rustmort is what I usually use.

Thanks fellas....

I'll look around for some Rustmort Dale.

Glenn....absolutely I could use a couple small slabs. I have an unused hickory (I assume) replacement handle for a hatchet, hammer or whatever but have no way of splitting it down the middle......
Just let me know what I owe ya!

No charge, sir. I'll take a pic of some choices for you.

TripleF wrote:Thanks fellas....

I'll look around for some Rustmort Dale.

Check with an auto body repair supply house. Even a big automotive chain store like Pep Boys should have it or something similar to kill the rust. Remove all the rust possible first.

My second choice would be Eezox from a gun store if you can get the rust off.
You will have to remove the Eezox before gluing the handle to the wood though on the frame though.
I use 99% isopropyl alcohol; cheap and effective.

If you can't drill the tang, you can probably drill through the wood on each side and pin them through the middle.

I just took a closer look at that knife without the handle. The hole in the bottom bifurcation is in the same place the hole was on my L39. That's where mine broke (as a kid, throwing it trying to stick it).

Scott, you're now an official card carrying member of the Western L39 Sheath Knife Owners Club. So far, there's you, me, Dale and T.J. Although, we all got ours much earlier in life.

yes gluing and/or pinning slabs of wood, bone, horn etc would be my first choice for ease and simplicity when rehandling one of those

And here is some potential inspiration for you, Scott.
An actual W39. The rivets going through that rectangle aperture.
Good luck with it, guy.

If you are going to use flat slabs riveted through the center--without pins going through the tangs--fill the space between the tangs with epoxy. If you don't, over time the scales can shift, and it really looks junky.

Thanks for the input fellers ......thanks very, very much.....I'm kinda gettin' excited. And certainly proud to be a member of this WESTERN GROUP!

Now how in the world do I drill holes for pins without a drill? I know you're thinking....how in the hell does a male living in this country not have a power drill? I've never been "handy" and I've always lived in a condo with limited funds as a renter......but..................the older I get the more I find I like using my hands...

Glenn just let me select some wood scales.......I'm stoked!

I thought this package was a little big for a couple of 2" x 6" pieces of wood......

Thanks very, very much Glenn....I am humbled.....and excited!!

I've been hesitant to begin because I still miss some items (not looking for donations, please) to complete this within the next couple years.....and I don't have the focus or drive to sand by hand......
I'll be returning Glennbad's generous heartfelt gift!

I was able to use the Western Knife over the weekend with this paracord handle even though it went dull like a lily pad shortly after....

Send that dog up, Scott. When I get time, i'll put some handles on it. I've been wantin' to do another stacked leather handle, it's been a while.

WB

I appreciate the offer Rob.....but money's too tight to ship anything

I appreciate the offer Rob.....but money's too tight to ship anything

Big problem with rehandling westerns has always been that goofy bi-whatever tang. Now there is hope. See this Ebay seller for all the parts you need. Caught my eye as I'm always putting together leather washer handles or repairing same.

sharpshootersheaths