Hunter Knife Handle Scales

thingiverse

Let me open with a huge thank you to WinterHawk904 for his amazing Destiny knife model. These are handle scales that would go on the sides of the handle to fill out the grip and protect the hand from kinetic shock and kinetic transfer down the steel of the blade and full length tang. They're used a lot in knives today, and seeing as how the knife hasn't changed much in function over all recorded history, I set out to make some handle scales for this far-future knife because it desperately needed them (550 cord only goes so far!). As an aside, I also made these handle scales because I split my knife into two pieces for printing...right in the middle of the handle (using Autodesk MeshMixer). This is about the right size for a 300x300 build plate. As noted by some other makers, the cross section of the blade is too small (even for this enormous knife) to just glue the ends together and be done with it. Without there being much material to play with in the knife's cross section (to create more complex joints), I opted for an outside approach to increase the gluing surface area...which meant handle scales. I tried to keep them consistent with the look, lines, and 'appointment' of the Hunter knife and I think I've nailed it! Make sure you line up the front (lower) part of the handle scales with the natural line of the blade bevel - the rest should fall into place perfectly. Last but not least - I'm totally new to the world of 3D printing and 3D design. This is my first project to 'give back' to the community for some really helpful, friendly people that have made 3D printing accessible and enjoyable! Thanks everyone!