How to Put a Bone Handle On a hunting or fishing knife

These knives have been refitted with deer antler bone handles that will give a lifetime of service.

Need a new, good looking bone handle for an old knife, or just want to replace that plastic one with a traditional bone handle? It's simple to do with just a few short and easy steps. The knives in the photo were reclaimed from old ones that either didn't have a handle or needed new ones. Once you have a trusty new bone handle on your favorite knife it will last a lifetime.

Things You'll Need

• A length of deer antler
• A hack saw
• A package of two part epoxy.
• The knife that you are going to re-handle
• A bench grinder
• A small drill press
• A drill bit that is 1/8in in diameter larger than the thickness of the knife tang (handle end)

Instructions

1. 

   Cut a suitable length of deer antler for use as the handle you want to make. Drill holes in the end that the knife tang will be fitting into. Clamping the handle into a small vise will hold it steady while you are drilling. Wrap it with cardboard first to protect the surfaces. Use a drill size that is about 1/8 in larger in diameter than the knife tang is in thickness. Drill to a depth that is 1/4 in deeper than the length of the tang that will fit into it. The knife tang may be shortened from its original length so that the hole in the bone handles doesn't have to be so deep.

2. 

   Reduce the size of the knife tang by grinding. Reduce the width so that it will fit into the elongated holes drilled into the bone. Grind serrations into the edges of the tang for added gripping shape for the epoxy. Fit the knife tang into the handle to make sure that it will fit all of the way in. Do additional drilling work or grinding if necessary.

3. 

   Mix up a quantity of two part epoxy that will fill 75% of the hole. A paper plate and half of an old clothes pin can be used for mixing.

4. 

   Place the knife tang down into the epoxy filled hole in the bone handle. Use a wet cloth or paper towel to wipe off excess epoxy that is pushed out of the hole. Remove all excess epoxy. It is hard to get off once it has set.

5. 

   Set the assembled knife and handle in a blade up position so that the epoxy can set up without dribbling out. After it has set for the prescribed time use a pocket knife and wire brush to remove any epoxy residue from the knife blade or handle. A stain can be added to the bone handle if you want it darker in color.

Tips & Warnings

• A handle also can be made of a good hardwood such as Walnut, American Hornbeam or Ash.

• A bone handle is good for kitchen knives, filet knives or for that matter any knife.

• After you've replaced the old handle with a snazzy new one, give the blade a good sharpening.