I recently started working on some handles that I'll be selling for the 140HSSR Nimravus.

I'm specific as to the 140HSSR as I am not sure if the tang design is exactly the same on all of the Nimravus designs.

I'm doing them in Madrone Burl and Leopardwood. I'll do another in Zebrawood soon too. I did a first for myself by making the handles rounded. Turned out pretty trick and nice looking..

that leopard wood looks amazing!

quote:

Originally posted by Skimo:
that leopard wood looks amazing!

Agreed

And keep these diary's coming, its pretty interesting to see the progression.

Nice to see you tackling the rounded handles now Mike.. nice work..

Good stuff Mike. Your work's improving by each photo!

these lok very nice. did you get the steped bit from kinfekits to do these? also, to get the outside shape, are you just freehanding it or using a router and template? im thinking of doing one myself, just need to get a few more toys to complete the job.

No step bit... I'm still freehanding the screw holes with my dremel since my dremel drill press only goes up to an 1/8 inch drill bit, and my 1/2" Dewalt is really too cumbersome and usually just destroys anything I'm trying to be delicate with.

To do the shaping/rounding of the handles I am freehanding it on a 1x30 belt sander with an 80 grit belt then I am using my palm sander with 150, 220, 400, and 600 grits to smooth it out and make sure all of the shapework is even.

Then I'll do 6 to 10 coats of a 50/50 mix of clear Shellac and Boiled Linseed Oil. I buff the handle with 0000 steel wool after letting the coat dry for 15-20 minutes (shellac has a very fast drying time).

Nice handle scales! which model dremel tool do you use?

400XPR - Home Depot version (comes with all kinds of goodies)

I'd be so afraid to mess a project like that up, you are producing some very beautiful work.