All About Pocket Knives

Cleaned up this Camillus 14 and decided to rehandle it in stag. Ideally scales would be thin enough that they wouldn't require thinning...but sometimes I've encountered bone and stag, that was too thick and if not thinned from the bottom side, would obliterate the jigging or stag surface, during the hafting process. I've tried to thin bone and stag before...but with my limited armamentarium, it's been tricky. I've been using the side of my grinder...but it's tricky to hold on to the scale...and I've lost a bit of skin in the process.

Came up with this today, that worked relatively well. Cut a glue stick in half and torched the end enough to get it to stick. Then I was able to have "handles" for holding the bone on the side of the grinding wheel. Of course it works better to use two hands, with the handles...but I didn't have a third hand to take the picture. The action of grinding did warm up the glue and I did have to reattach it 1-2 times per scale. I'd be interested in hearing how others accomplish this.
Looks like I could have thinned it a bit more...came out a bit thicker than ideal. You don't have to worry about this being a "safe queen" ha! But it's OK for a user. Anyway...I recently passed the one year anniversary of being on AAPK. I started this endeavor modding and rehabbing knives, with the help of so many folks here on the site. I know my knife is not worthy of a "stand alone" monthly give-away...but I wanted to give it away, as a Thank You, to you all!!! I thought I would give this to the first person, signed up, on the September knife giveaway, that went over the drawn numbers. You don't have to do anything, if you're already enrolled in the September knife give away. If you're not enrolled...then you should go enroll, cause there's actually a great prize to win...Joe (KleenCut61) has donated an amazing display set of 3 knives. His knives will go to the person closest (without going over). I'll give mine to the closest that went over...kind of a booby prize. My personal rule will be that you will need to PM me your mailing info, within one week of the drawing. I'll probably PM you. If I haven't heard from the booby prize winner, within 1 week...then I'll go to the second person nearest, that went over. Thanks to those who have helped and continue to help me learn a fun hobby. [attachment=1]

Generous, Doc! That is a sweet looking knife.
I had not thought of gluesticks, neat idea!
I usually tear off a piece of duct tape and stick that to the outside of the scale. I fold it in the middle, with the ends folded out and stuck to the scale. From the end the tape looks like a 'T'.
That works pretty well.
I may post a pic of one if I get the chance.

That's a very nice gesture!
The glue stick trick is a handy one. I use it frequently when grinding thin materials.

Doc, you have made the September give away even more exciting. Generous gift. I have enjoyed your year here.

Very nice rehab and gesture Doc B.

Very generous. Thank you. It’s a great looking knife.

Nice work, I hope you wear a GOOD quality respirator when grinding stag or bone. These natural materials when turned to dust can and will cause irreversible lung disease. Also not a real good idea to grind anything on the side of a grindstone. Grindstones like yours are only strong when pushed against on the face of the wheel, side pressure can cause them to explode. A simple disc sander is a better choice and it is easy to change grits with the disc sander. I got a 1" belt sander/5"disc sander combo for under a hundred bucks, they can be had cheaper. Right tool for the right job if you know what I mean.

Gunsil wrote:Nice work, I hope you wear a GOOD quality respirator when grinding stag or bone. These natural materials when turned to dust can and will cause irreversible lung disease. Also not a real good idea to grind anything on the side of a grindstone. Grindstones like yours are only strong when pushed against on the face of the wheel, side pressure can cause them to explode. A simple disc sander is a better choice and it is easy to change grits with the disc sander. I got a 1" belt sander/5"disc sander combo for under a hundred bucks, they can be had cheaper. Right tool for the right job if you know what I mean.

Good to know, about grinding on the side. I do have a good respirator, grind outside and have a fan, blowing away.

Good work Doc.
Like to glue stick handle trick.

Good work Doc. And a very generous gesture of giving away your knife!
That stag looks good! I have some stag and deer antlers I need to thin down for use. I'm glad you pointed out your method. (I like the duct tape method too!)

Nice trick with the glue sticks Doc B. Never would have thought of that one. Those Stag handels look awesome. That's quite impressive work you do. Looks like a fun hobby.
And really generous idea with the give away. What a wonderful "booby prize". I just love boobies!!!
.

What a great idea about the glue sticks! Nice looking knife too, and very generous of you Doc!

Doc,
I apologize for taking so long to post this. I don't have a place to work on knives, so I had to remember to take the pic while over at my Dad's shop.
Anyway, here is how I use Duct tape to hold a scale for thinning. The is a piece of acrylic for a Queen I am working on: The tape holds really well, but sometimes I have to use WD-40 to remove the residue when I am finished with it.

Reverand wrote:Doc,
I apologize for taking so long to post this. I don't have a place to work on knives, so I had to remember to take the pic while over at my Dad's shop.
Anyway, here is how I use Duct tape to hold a scale for thinning. The is a piece of acrylic for a Queen I am working on:
9136C4B7-6133-489F-9CC0-8542D849295D.jpeg

The tape holds really well, but sometimes I have to use WD-40 to remove the residue when I am finished with it.

..and cheaper than a glue stick!

I'd offered this knife, as a "booby prize"...see initial post, on this thread.
Based on #777's request to deactivate his account, on his 26 Sep 19 forum post, this judge is declaring dlr110 the winner. Congrats David, PM me your mailing address, within one week, or I go up the line.

Congratulations David.

congrats

Congratulations David.!