Horse Stall Mat or Other Rubber Handle Material?

[Papa_K]

Does anyone have experience making knife scales, for fixed blade or folder, with one of the rubber or rubber-like materials?

I have some knives with rubber handles, and I have to admit they're very comfortable.

Commercially, I'd have thought it was a molding process, but I see that knife-making supply places sell Horse Stall Mat for knife handles. I'd like to try making rubber Mule handles, if practical.

[phillipsted]

If they smell anything like the horse mats at my local stable, then I'm definitely avoiding them...

Seriously, I assume the scales they sell are relatively clean. My main problem is that my wife has a latex allergy (she's a nurse). The smell of raw rubber around the house drives her nuts - so I can forget about working with that material in the basement...

TedP

[Mr Blonde]

Actually, Spyderco has shown a few large -large- concept knives intended for Bladesports in the past, by Jose Diaz and Ed Schempp that used rubber horse stall mat as a handle material. These custom knives seemed to perform well with their handles.

[Papa_K]

I surfed around a little. Maybe Neoprene? There may be other possibilities too.

Thinking of Mule scales, I'd really prefer screw-on attachments, for now, rather than epoxy/glue and pins, IF it'll work.

[.357 mag]

I haveva buck vanguard that has a rubber type handle. I wouldn't like it for EDC, but for gutting and skinning game, its great.

[Evil D]

Actually, Spyderco has shown a few large -large- concept knives intended for Bladesports in the past, by Jose Diaz and Ed Schempp that used rubber horse stall mat as a handle material. These custom knives seemed to perform well with their handles.

Oh how i would love to get my hands on one of those..

[rodloos]

Some time ago I bought some of the horse stall mat rubber to make scales for one of my mules.

If I can ever get myself to get around to making them, I'll let you know how it works . I do recall the material seeming quite a bit thicker than I expected when I opened the box, I may need to thin them down a bit.

I also have a machete with cracked handle I need to replace, and I think that is where the rubber will really work well.

[JacksonKnives]

I had plans to make a handle from a piece of Kraton-branded neoprene years ago, but other than epoxy I couldn't find a good enough way of fastening it.

[Tonie Nichols]

I've handled a couple with horse stall matting made by Mr. Diaz, really liked it. I have a small square of it I was considering asking David Kurtt to use for a small knife. I also have some material called Vulite which is used for shoe sole material. It's a great material for the tips of my walking sticks. It feels somewhat different from the matting but still very grippy and comfortable. I'm thinking of a large Crossada style Bowie using the Vulite if the balance issues work out, horse stall matting would be another option.

[Papa_K]

I was thinking about possibly attaching horse stall mat (or neoprene or other rubber-like material) to a liner using epoxy or glue, and then attaching that combination to the knife with pivots/screws.

Here's a link on some bonding ideas:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...to-G10-micarta

[yowzer]

I've handled some of the bladesports knives that use the stuff. I don't think it'd work very well for a pocket knife, but I wouldn't mind it in a fixed blade.

[Koen Z]

I regularly use a Bladesports knife in O1 & rubber. The knife is about three years old and used in the garden and in competitions. The rubber is glued to the steel tang with epoxy and pinned with two pins. The glue is losing its grip on the rubber at the back of the handle by now. I think it is safer to use bolts to fasten the rubber.

[Ed Schempp]

I use anywhere from 12-18 rubber pins that are made from o-ring material super glued to the rubber handles, no hot spots limited peeling...Take Care...Ed