Handle Options

[tbmaker]

Looking for some handle options for a project coming up with our Boy Scout troop.
Got the shop lined up with all the cnc machines ( one of the father's business ) to cut out the knife blanks.
Now I need some help in what handle material would be simple and durable for the boys to work with.
These will be simple fixed blades with deer hunting in mind.
Thanks,
Wayne

[SDS-GEN]

You can't go wrong with birch.  It's cheap, durable, and easy to work.  If you check with some local cabinet makers you can probably pick up scraps from them for free, just let them know its for a boy scout project.  They may have more exotic wood in their scrap pile as well.  For pins you can get brass, copper, aluminum, or steel rod from the hardware store.

[Joel]

You don't say how many knives are involved, but wood is obviously your cheapest option for handles.  Birch is nice, but a visit to your local lumber yard should also be able supply you in finished boards also in either oak, maple or(nice) cherry. A 1" x 4" or 1"x 6" board 8 feet long provides a lot of handle material. A couple of them wouldn't be expensive.  On the synthetic side of the house, I can't think of any really cheap synthetic that is also suitable for handles.

[HL]

If you are in an area with mesquites, grab some wood from an old root ball or large limb. Mesquite machines easily.

Also, if you have to use heart wood that's not completely dry, it won't warp or shrink.

[Don Krag]

I'm here in TX. If you need mesquite, I can fill a flat rate box for you with handle slabs/slats. My son's a scout as well, but a bear-cub. I've been trying to get the weblos to do a knife project.

[tbmaker]

Thanks Don, I just might take you up on that offer. No mesquite here in Minnesota.
Right now we are looking at 8 interested boys and this will be a February project.
What does mesquite look like finished? I'm used oak, walnut, maple.

Don, when your boys get to Boy Scouts you'll see way more interest in such projects.
I was the cubmaster for my sons.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

At my local wood supply shop I found some ebony "finger boards".  These are blanks, some "seconds", meant for guitar makers.  They are about 20" long,2" wide and 5/16th thick I got a piece for revolver grips, but they'd do for knife scales as well.