New Handle on an Old Knife

I thought I could take an old Mora knife, and add a new handle to it, and experiment with using brass in the stackup. This is the original factory Mora, with plastic sheath. Mora knives are inexpensive, utilitarian, and have a great three layer carbon steel blade, and a cheap looking handle. The center layer of the blade is harder steel, and its sandwiched between two tough layers of steel. This for a $20 indestructible knife.

My first try on the handle was simultaneously blocky, and petite. I didn’t like it, so rather than finish it, I chiseled it off. This effort was a learning experience, so I guess I learned not to make a knife like this. Also, its a lot easier to remove material than to add material back. Also, the tools you use have a great effect on the end product you end up with.

I decided that even though the blade is a bit petite, I wanted a beefy handle that would fill the hand, and feel good in the hand. Trouble was, the tang was too long for what I wanted. So I cut an inch of so off the tang, and proceeded.

I learned that having brass layers complicated things when it came to finishing the handle, but has a nice look to it. Not a perfect knife, but I’m calling it done.

The version above was finished with urathane, and the brass had to be taped off, leaving a ridge of urethane. I just didn’t like it, and I also wanted to make the brass finger guard slightly lower. So I sanded the urethane off, and finished it with tung oil, lowered the finger guard just a little. I think I like it now.