[squbrigg]

I got tired cussing the handle on my favorite smoothing knife. The Ashely Isles has a sweet cutting blade but an awkward handle, not much thought seemed to have gone into it. The knife shaft was too long for my fit, didn't have the control I wanted and the whole feel was wrong.

So I cut the handle off, (man, was that a plunge into bravery) and took some slabs of some kind of wood I had laying around, (don't have a clue what it is, was junk an antique dealer was throwing out and gave me) looks like old A pple or maybe spalded Cherry. Anyway....it carved up beautifully, moulded to fit my hand, used the Dremel sitting on the back deck, it was really hard wood! A couple of layers of Tung Oil and I'm a happy carver!!!

Bob

[Ron D]

wow bob nice job i like it
ron

[jamesfa]

Bob- habit forming isn't it,did the old handles become unbearable after you got that nice piece of wood?


nice looking wood nice looking knife.

Frank

[squbrigg]

I got the wood months ago, a box of odd bits and pieces, that some turner had left behind when he passed away. Antique owner had the box and was going to throw it out, till he saw my cane when we were in his shop. Offered them to me, free gratis, almost.....I had to carve him something, anything, so I did a nice Celtic knot. The wood was covered in dust and I couldn't tell one from the other, but if a turner had them, I figured they would be good woods. I was right!

The second box was a gold mine ..... box contained a dozen lengths of Swiss Pear, all 1 1/2" square about 15" long, perfect size for me to rip into planking for a ship. Though I have used one length to try, made one small knife handle, to see how it finished up. Very tight, straight, grain, even colour and takes a great finish. Perfect for planking. Boring for anything unique. Carves hard, but is perfect for very small carving that you do on a model.

Bob

[deweyrf91]

That was bravery! The handle looks great Bob!

Dewey

[Ashbys]

Looks great , Nice handle .
I like the thumb push you added .

Ash