How to Convert Knives for Throwing

Remove the handle from the knife you'd like to convert to get an idea of how much metal the handle is covering up. Try using a hammer first. Lay the knife flat and smash the handle repeatedly to try to break it. If you can see the handle is two joined pieces, place the handle in the vise and hammer the flathead screwdriver into the crease between these pieces. Turn the heat up by using a propane torch to melt off a plastic or rubber handle. Secure the knife blade in the vise first. Fire up the torch with the lighter and apply constant heat to the handle. Use thick work gloves to avoid getting burned, and operate the screwdriver like a scraper as the handle heats up.

Start the grinder up once the handle is fully removed and the knife is cool to the touch again. Grind off any excess bits of handle so the metal piece under the handle is clean. Take two thin steel plates to the grinder next. The plates should not be wider or thicker than the actual blade portion of the knife. Use the grinder to round the edges of the plates with both plates cinched together with the vise grips to promote an even outer edge. Lay the knife blade down on top of each individual plate and trace the shape of the metal piece that was under the knife handle. Use a thick permanent marker for the tracing, and align the handle in the center of each plate without overlapping any portion of the blade itself. Grind out the traced area until there is a groove of at least a fraction of an inch in each plate. The idea is to take enough steel out of the plate so that the metal that was under the handle is cradled in these grooves in the sandwiched plates.

Apply JB Weld adhesive between both plates and between each plate and the metal piece that used to be under the knife handle. Tighten the vise over the plates so the bond is as tight as possible. Use the screwdriver to scrape off any excess adhesive that squeezes out the sides. Let the welding adhesive dry overnight. Wrap a thin layer of athletic tape around the new handle area for extra grip and comfort.