One of my Bird and trout blades handled

[Silverback 1]

I've been thinking about what i could use for handles to make them suitable for deer work as regulations say it cant be anything absorbent and must be food safe according to the chap who owns a gunshop near me

This is correct, it is one of the stipulations in the DMQ2 exam, and wild game handling regulations, that a stalker uses a stainless and non absorbent handled knife (and sheath) for deer processing, this all obviously takes a back seat when you have passed the exam and a lot of stalkers (myself included) will use knives of their own choice.

[Silverback 1]

I think the design has a few possibilites. Bird and trout, hunter, bushy (with a scandi), kitchen, fighter ( with a longer blade).

Or 3-3 1/2" handle and 3" bladed neck knife (2-3mm steel) and agree with Red, would be great with Kydex.

[mountainm]

What about Delrin as a handle material?

[HillBill]

If your quick, and just texturing the surface then that might work ya know. Not too hot or it'll stick to the file and i expect it'll need a light sanding afterwards. Let me know how it goes Mike if you do please mate

Yeah - I read that you have to bevel all edges for that reason - I wondered about heating up an old file with a blow torch and pressing it into the surface of the corian to get a grippy surface. I have plenty to experiment with...

[HillBill]

Aye, you did ask for the longer blade, so any feedback would be good

just another thaught for you if you are doing them for deer work the blade length could do to be 130mm long as this is also critical for bleeding out, sorry to be gory but after a deer is shot its best practice to bleed them and the blade needs this length to achieve this . i think this style of blade is a real winner for all hunting /fishing work , atb wayne

[HillBill]

I'll have a play with perspex and see how one looks

Or 3-3 1/2" handle and 3" bladed neck knife (2-3mm steel) and agree with Red, would be great with Kydex.

[HillBill]

Another possibility. I'l have a look and see what the costs are like in comparison to the other materials mentioned.
Tuffnel is another.

What about Delrin as a handle material?

[mountainm]

If your quick, and just texturing the surface then that might work ya know. Not too hot or it'll stick to the file and i expect it'll need a light sanding afterwards. Let me know how it goes Mike if you do please mate

Will do - just got to find a file I don't mind annealing. (which, I guess, could in turn lead to another project.)

[HillBill]

I'd use a round or half round file, to get into the contours

Will do - just got to find a file I don't mind annealing. (which, I guess, could in turn lead to another project.)

[mountainm]

I'd use a round or half round file, to get into the contours

Ah I see - my intention was to leave "flat" areas on the handle in which the grip would be embossed. Thought this would be neater than trying to work the pattern around the handle matching it up.

[HillBill]

I've never done it before, was just thinking. I don't leave flat areas on my handles as there are no flat areas of the hand.

[mountainm]

I've never done it before, was just thinking. I don't leave flat areas on my handles as there are no flat areas of the hand.

I think ergonomics of handles warrants it's own thread...

[Chiseller]

Reckon that really compliments the blade, great work all round

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[HillBill]

Feel free to start one, it'll be interesting to see what folks have to say on the matter.

I think ergonomics of handles warrants it's own thread...

[HillBill]

Cheers fella

Reckon that really compliments the blade, great work all round

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[Darkwoodecho]

I don't post here much, just lurk!
I am the recipient of Marks first batch of 3! firstly thank you all for the kind and encouraging comments re the handle and how it has worked out, took some head scratching i will tell you, I wrote off a set of G10 scales getting it wrong The material is stabilized Masur Birch on the one you see, my next one is intended to be G10 and i will forward images to Mark.
When I first approached him with my request for something "like" a bird and trout he was his usual enthusiastic and helpful self, with lots of good comm's and ideas, what he has come up with has surpassed my expectations and is a testament to his understanding of blade AND customer requirements whilst still showing his artistic flair, he has been an absolute pleasure and a gent to deal with. +1 Mark, thank you.
PS, Sheath pictures to follow
Elliot

[British Red]

Really looking forward to seeing the G10 version

I love wood and leather....but some jobs just demand practical utility

[HillBill]

Heres the sheath Elliot has made for it.

Looking good mate.

[British Red]

WOW!

Thats a beauty

[mountainm]

WOW!

Thats a beauty

+1 a real stunner.

[mereside]

beautiful, love the colouring, atb wayne

[Robbi]

how did i miss this !!!!

gotta say HB thats looking good mate, love the shape of the blade

that sheath is something else !

[HillBill]

Be perfect for your fishing mate as it was designed for that lol