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How to Change the Handle on an Old Western Sheath Knife

Sheath knife handles attach to the knife "tang." A "full tang" runs the length and breadth of the handle. A "partial tang" may extend through only part of the handle's width and length. Most sheath knifes, both full and half tang, have a wood, metal or bone handle. Full tang knifes are commonly fastened to the tang with rivets or bolts visible on the handle sides. Some knifes have a partial tang called a "push tang," which is pushed into a hole in the handle and secured with glue or epoxy. Rat tail tangs are secured to the back of the handle with a bolt or a threaded knob called a pommel.

Things You'll Need

Screwdrivers
Adjustable wrench
Electric drill
Drill bits
Needle-nose pliers
Acetone or nail polish remover
Bench vise
wire brush
abrasive paper
metal polish
Riveting kit (in some cases)

Instructions

Remove the Old Handle
- 1
  Unwrap the knife handle, if it is wrapped, to examine the handle.
- 2
  Look for rivets or screws recessed in the knife handle. Look for the end of the tang between the handle halves on the butt of the knife. If you see the end of the tang, your handle must be attached with screws or rivets.
- 3
  Look for a metal end cap on the knife butt. Look for a visible screw in the end cap and attempt to twist the end cap clockwise and counterclockwise.
- 4
  Remove any end cap screw with a screwdriver and remove any pommel by turning it with your hands or an adjustable wrench.
- 5
  Unfasten any screws in the handle with a screwdriver and remove the handle from the tang.
- 6
  Drill out any rivets in the handle using an electric drill and a drill bit that is smaller in diameter than the rivet. Pull out the remains of the rivets with needle-nose pliers and remove the handle from the tang.
- 7
  Soak handles without visible fasteners that you believe to be push tang handles secured with epoxy in a coffee can filled with just enough acetone or nail polish remover to cover the handle in a well-ventilated place.
- 8
  Secure the blades of knifes with epoxied handles in a bench vise. Pull handles off the tang with steady pressure by hand.
Install the New Handle
- 9
  Thoroughly clean the tang with a wire brush, abrasive paper and metal polish. Inspect the tang for damage.
- 10
  Clean all hardware that you intend to reuse with metal polish.
- 11
  Install a new handle on knives with rat tail tangs by securing the handle halves between the guard just behind the blade and the pommel or end cap. Tighten pommels by turning. Secure end caps by tightening the end cap screw.
- 12
  Fasten a push tang in a new handle by securing the blade vertically in a bench vise, coating the tang with epoxy or glue and hammering the new push tang handle onto the tang with a rubber mallet.
- 13
  Fasten full tang handle halves to the tang with replacement screws or rivets.

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