Drilling holes in handle

[eto]

I have yet to heat treat 2 small camp knives I have forged out of 1084. I don't have a drill press to drill holes into tang before I set them out for HT. Don't have a drill press. Can it be done with hand held drill? What size drill bit should I use? and how many and where should I drill the holes?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

[Ray Rogers]

Sure, it can be done with a hand drill if you're careful. Definitely get the holes in there before the HT is done. Use a drill just a little larger than whatever size pin or screw you plan to use on the handle. You want the pin or screw to slip easily through the hole but still close enough that it cannot move around (this is called a clearance hole)...

[eto]

Originally Posted by Ray Rogers

Sure, it can be done with a hand drill if you're careful. Definitely get the holes in there before the HT is done. Use a drill just a little larger than whatever size pin or screw you plan to use on the handle. You want the pin or screw to slip easily through the hole but still close enough that it cannot move around (this is called a clearance hole)...

Thanks so much Ray. Would I need to make a few extra holes or just where I want the pins or screws to go. I've seen some makers add more holes I believe to help when attaching handle materials to adhere better?

Correct me if I'm wrong,

Thanks!
Jason

[Ray Rogers]

You can add holes if you want to but none are needed. Sometimes they put extra holes in full tangs to reduce the weight because small full tang knives can be very butt heavy. Holes can help the glue adhere better but proper preparation of the surfaces is likely to be more important.

The glue isn't used to hold the handle on, the glue is there to provide a moisture barrier so water can't get under the scales and rust away your handle. Proper use of pins or, better yet, bolts are what keeps the scales on. If the glue helps that's just gravy but its job is to keep water out. That's exactly why using a glue that softens in water like Devcon is less than ideal ...

[eto]

Thanks again Ray. I appreciate the advise.

Jason