Leather wrapped tanto knife handle

[Mungo]

An aquaintance has a tanto style knife that has a paracord wrapped handle that he would like to be replaced with leather. The knife is flat -ish the entire length with the crossguard and heel (back portion) being wider preventing the use of stacked leather washers. The knife is used often so the leather would need to be durable, not just decorative. I ‘ve never done anything like this and would not know where to start. Any ideas?

[fredk]

I would pack the grip with some veg tan leather, about 3-4mm, shaped and beveled, then wrap it all in leather thonging/lace, from hilt to guard

[AlZilla]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

I would pack the grip with some veg tan leather, about 3-4mm, shaped and beveled, then wrap it all in leather thonging/lace, from hilt to guard

How would you secure the lace? This is something I've thought about trying.

[chuck123wapati]

kangaroo lace wrap it  just like paracord.

[fredk]

I would tuck the start of the lace under the leather covering the scales, turn at right angle and start wrapping, using weatherproof PVA glue to hold. At the end, tuck the loose end under the lacing wrap, sticking with the w/p PVA, come up about 4 turns of the wrap. Takes a bit of dexterity to do it. I've done sword grips this way.

[Mungo]

As far as I can tell the knife is one piece with no scales, just the bare metal handle part wrapped with paracord. If I understand you, I should use the 3-4mm leather pieces as scales then wrap with lace, then apply the PVA glue over the wrap. Thanks for replying

[fredk]

The scale will be any metal beyond the blade forming the basis of a grip.

Contact glue the 3-4mm leather on to this, either side. Skive and shape the leather to make a firm grip. Tuck one end of the thonging betwixt the leather and the scale. turn it right angle to wrap the grip. Apply weatherproof PVA to the leather on the grip as you wind the thong around tightly. The PVA will give you a little working time and pull apart if the thong is not tight and needs to be done again. If you want, coat with thinned w/p PVA after its finished.

If you don't have or cannot get weatherproof PVA you can make it by adding 'Mop N' Glo' (or similar) to ordinary PVA. About 10%. But it also thins it