First Project - Leather Knife Handle

[HelluvaEngineer]

Hello everybody. I thought I would share my first leather project with you guys since I've got a lot of information from these forums. I haven't really seen a knife handle made like this, but I thought I would try it. The knife is just a cheap Ranger Knife that comes with a plastic handle that broke off on me. The handle is made with one piece of leather folded over the handle, and another piece as a welt along the other edge. The pieces are all glued together with contact cement, then it was sanded down with a Dremel. Last I added some stamping (would have done it before assebmly, but I ended up buying the stamps after I assembled it...), dyed it, then finished the edge with some gum tragacanth and the Tandy burnishing disc.

The leather is 8/9 oz that I got from Tandy's website while it was on sale, and it feels like a stiff piece of cardboard until you get some water on it. I got a whole double shoulder, so once I finish using that I will definitely be getting something that is higher quality.

Let me know what you guys think.

[MikeG]

Looks good from the pictures. I wonder if it will slide off if the knife is imbedded in something and you pull on the handle. I wish my first project had looked that good - and yes, there is a vast difference in leather. What fun!

[HelluvaEngineer]

MikeG,

Thanks for the compliments! The metal handle of the knife is curved up to a point in the center, like how the leather is shaped, so i'm thinking that should give it some hold and keep it from sliding too much. I guess we'll see.

[shooter55]

Looks pretty good to me. Functional with some added decoration. Nice job. Would also be curious as to the longevity of the contact cement on the steel. Let us know.

[bissetdesign]

Looks pretty good to me too for a first project, I'd be happy with that for a first time but like the others, the longevity would concern me.

Be good to know how it holds up if used on a daily basis, how the heat/moisture etc affects it, if any?

[HelluvaEngineer]

Thank you guys for the feedback. I am planning on taking the knife out with me next time I go camping so I can give it a more thorough functionality test and see how it will hold up. I will be sure to let you guys know.