I spend a lot of time re-handling knives that have not been looked after. The most common form of abuse is the dishwasher. The harsh chemicals, hot water and steam will crack a plastic or wooden handle over time. It also corrodes the rivets used in fixing the handle slabs on. So the time comes to re-handle. Some modern knives are not worth re-handling, but older carbon steel blades (that are difficult to find now) are always worth the effort. Expecially if they have some sentimental value. So in the following gallery are some step by step instructions on how to re-handle a full tang knife.

To look after you new handles - please no dishwashers, keep the handled oiled after use and when cleaning the blade do a "bachelor wash" by holding the blade under hot water, a quick wipe to clean, they dry the blade and handle and put straight away in your knife block or magnet. It should last another few generations if looked after.

• Before Before
• Handle Close up Handle Close up
• Bare tangs Bare tangs
• Scales Scales
• Marking out Marking out
• Marking out Marking out
• Bandsawing the scales Bandsawing the scales
• Checking the fit Checking the fit
• Fitting bevels Fitting bevels
• Corby Rivets Corby Rivets
• Glueing the scale Glueing the scale
• Let the glue dry Let the glue dry
• Tape up the scale Tape up the scale
• Drill rivet holes Drill rivet holes
• Glue second scale Glue second scale
• Insert rivets Insert rivets
• Shape Handle Shape Handle
• Final sanding of handle Final sanding of handle
• Oil the handle Oil the handle
• After After
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