handle symmetry

[jdltd]

I already posted this question in the kit knife forum, but I wanted to get some opinions here too.
Im just getting to the end of finishing my first kit knife and ran into a problem I had not really considered. I am having a bit of trouble getting the two sides of the handle to be symmetric.

So far I have been just locking the blade down in the vice then hand sanding both sides carefully. I roughed out the handles on the drum sander but It didn't seem precise enough so I went on to hand sanding with a soft block. Anyway, my question is. How do all of you do it? Any advice would be great!

John

[Don Cowles]

John, constant checking, or even measuring, is important. You can't just grind, file, or sand away on one side, and then flip it over and do the other. It needs to stay balanced throughout the process - and you better have a pretty good idea of what you want it to look like when it is finished.

A sketch or drawing helps, and you can check your progress against that.

[jdltd]

Thanks for the reply. I found out the hard way that its better to have an idea of what that handle will look like before you actually start shaping... who'd have thought. The picture is a good idea. Thanks again.

John

[Dusty Moulton]

Hello John
I just read Dons post which just about describes it all. As for me I just have in my small mind what I want, then start removing material on the slack belt grinder until it look 95% done by eye then also just by eye finish the rest out by hand. Others may have a more precise mechanical way of doing it but I think we all just mainly do it by eye as far as the handles go. When it comes to blade grinds that is another matter all together.
Dusty

[jdltd]

Dusty,

Thanks, I guess I just felt funny eye'n it. Just kind of seemed unprofessional.

John

[jdltd]

Don,

Glad to meet another knife maker in Michigan! Not that I'm particularly fond of this state, nor that I can call myself a knife maker.... but I digress. I visited your website, you have some beautiful pieces there.

Your public service background was particularly interesting to me since I am sitting for my EMT lisencing exam next month and am currently pursuing a criminal justice degree. Its a good feeling to know that knifemaking really brings a variety of people to the table.

Do you attend any shows in this state? School and money keep me from traveling and I have had trouble finding dates and locations of local shows. Where might I get that kind of information?

John

[Don Cowles]

John, the Wolverine Knife Collectors Club shows are in April and September, both held in the Detroit/suburbs area. I do them both.