Dowel Wa-Handle Method

by | Feb 24, 2018 | Colton Handcrafted, Knife Worklogs, Knives, Saya, Woodworking | 8 comments

I discovered some Japanese style handle makers out there use a method of construction involving a dowel insert. Essentially the handle and ferrule are drilled out to receive a matching size dowel with a slot cut from the dowel to fit the tang of the blade. I found this method has a few advantages for assembly and makes tang fitting a little easier.

I decided to try it on my Tojiro knives that needed some upgrading.

Knife Specs

Type: Tojiro Shirogami Gyuto
Length: 210 mm
Steel: Shirogami #2 (white #2)
Handle Shape: Octagonal
Handle Material: Claro Walnut, Wild Apple wood
Handle Length: 135 mm
Ferrule: 30 mm
Ferrule End Width: 18 mm
Ferrule End Height: 23 mm
Butt End Width: 21 mm
Butt End Height: 26 mm

Type: Tojiro Shirogami Petty
Length: 150 mm
Steel: Shirogami #2 (white #2)
Handle Shape: Octagonal
Handle Material: Claro Walnut, Wild Apple wood
Handle Length: 120 mm
Ferrule: 28 mm
Ferrule End Width: 15 mm
Ferrule End Height: 18 mm
Butt End Width: 18 mm
Butt End Height: 21 mm

Saya – Knife Covers: Poplar

 

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