Shaping the handle

[Bonenugget]

I am in the process of shaping the handle on my first knife. I am making a full tang, Damascus, skinner using corby fasteners on a wooden (madrone burl) knife scales. I have sanded the knife scales around the outline of the tang. I made a couple of pine prototypes of the rough shape of the handle I think I want and I am ready to start shaping the real handle. I have some questions about where the corby fasteners are located within that shape and if that causes any issue. Or are there any things that I should look out for when doing the shaping. My plan is to use an hourglass shape on the handle. The stainless steel corbys are right in the middle of the concave areas of that hourglass shape. Is that a problem? I know the corbys will sand and file much slower than the wood surrounding them but I am wondering if there are any other issues? I am going to try and attach a couple of photos so you can see what I am talking about. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

Side View Top View

 

[slatroni]

I like the look of that Prototype. Now hold it like you mean it and see how it feels. That is what I do.

 

[rhinoknives]

Do your 2" wheel grinds on the scales before you counter sink them for the Corbys and be sure to round the edges as well when you shape the handle after its epoxied up to the tang. That's what I can see from your pics to suggest.