How to properly peen handle pins

EK sheds light on the most effective way to peen your handle pins for long lasting knife handle construction. #knifemaking

[@krazmokramer]

I always thought it was the mushroomed cap that was providing the retention, like on a Buck knife handle scale. Turns out it's the swollen portion of the pin providing the retention. THANK YOU for this informative video!

[@eksshop4845]

You’re not alone! I thought the same for many moons! Glad I could help :)

[@keeyanzimmerman2959]

You don’t see this advice much on beginner knife making videos. Great tip

[@eksshop4845]

Thanks for watching!

[@macknesky5646]

Damn!!! Great info... I have seen tons of videos and never learned this. I've been using the same epoxy on the pins and I always felt something was missing. Thank you so much!

[@eksshop4845]

You’re more than welcome! I honestly forget where I picked this up from… feels like a lifetime ago now. Probably some old timer on blade forums!

[@MrTwitchis]

Great video! More people should know about this channel. Good work!

[@eksshop4845]

Thank you so much! It means a lot!

[@geraldgrosskreutzjr125]

Thank you for this video! I was given three cleavers and asked to put handles on them. I ruined the first one because I kept trying to mushroom the brass pins and split the handle. I’m confident I can do it now without a problem. Thanks again! 😁

[@eksshop4845]

Absolutely! Sorry for the late reply; I hope you had better luck! 🍀:)

[@davetarrant6888]

Thank you for sharing this. It was very easy to understand, you have a good knack for teaching. I am glad I found your video because I am planning to restore an old “perfect handle” screwdriver that has a wood handle just like a knife with red two scales and two pins. I had watched probably 8 videos of guys doing a restoration, but not one of them done it properly according to your recommendation of using the reamer vs a countersink. I am feeling much better about how my restoration will come out now. Thank you!

[@eksshop4845]

You're so welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@mjdamato]

Thanks for the video. I have an M1 Bayonet where one of the pins holding the guard is broken. Had no idea how to properly fix it until I say your video.

[@eksshop4845]

Thank you for watching! I’m glad it helped :)

[@jonjon8482]

Thank you, just getting started and learning alot!!!

[@eksshop4845]

Thank YOU for watching! :) glad to help! This was a subtle thing that escaped me; personally!

[@xeokym223]

Thanks for the instructional! I was having problems when I did brass pins, they were tending to bend over and deform before they really expanded very well. Now a get a better fit because of the reamer. I'm not perfect at it, but the pins stopped bending before mushrooming. thanx!

[@eksshop4845]

You are welcome! :) I'm glad it helped!

[@Steve-hj6xv]

Very nice post 😀 Thanks for sharing!

[@matthewwalker8581]

Awesome video thank you

[@maybefrank8345]

Nice video. Thanks for the help!

[@eksshop4845]

My pleasure! :)

[@michaelgreen2154]

Thanks needed that info!

[@eksshop4845]

You’re more than welcome!🤗

[@JoshMcGehee]

Super helpful video. I was just wondering how to do this.

[@eksshop4845]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markkhan861]

Wow, great video, thanks very much!!

[@eksshop4845]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching! :)

[@Splatterpunk_OldNewYork]

Thank you, thank you. Now I can make cool tools.

[@eksshop4845]

The only limit is our mind.. and time :)

[@derekp6636]

ahhh ty, I missed the reaming the hole as well. time to yank off the old scales and try again.

[@eksshop4845]

You don’t necessarily need to rip the scales off! Best practice is reaming the holes; but don’t scrap your knife! :) Every knife is a learning experience

[@norwoodcraftandforge2950]

Perfect explination

[@robertbeckner9965]

I learned something thanks a lot

[@eksshop4845]

No problem ! Thank you for watching :)

[@hmongbrothersqaibthaibyeej]

Good info

[@bchmn]

Great instruction, thanks. Any workarounds if you don’t have a reamer?

[@eksshop4845]

The reamer really helps but if you have a dremel you may have one of their little triangular bits - that could work in a pinch too. Those reamers are very cheap though - I think I got mine for $10 on amazon :)

[@FredrikEinberg]

Good video and method, will try. I have onle peened my pins lightly during epxoxy gluing scales to tang up till now with epoxy on the pins as main pin fastener. What type of wax should you use to prevent epoxy sticking to the pins. Would bee wax work (what I have at home). I see you do not epoxy pins with this method, I guess no major need any more due to the good peeninh.

[@eksshop4845]

I like to use the gun stock wax but I know others use paste wax. I imagine beeswax would work but I have never tried it myself. You could do it the way I showed but add a bit of epoxy to the pins before you peen it as well - not necessary but insurance I suppose 😊

[@andybrock100]

Could you not also put epoxy on the pins before you peen them? making doubly sure water can’t get in.

[@eksshop4845]

You definitely can - just make sure you peen the pins enough that you don't wind up with an epoxy 'ring' around your pin :)

[@leonhaku]

What kind of material did u use for the pins? Most of the forums tell to get brass but obv yours don't look like brass. Great vid btw.

[@eksshop4845]

Those pins were 416 stainless (3/16") - got it off one of the knife maker supply websites

[@DarkestVampire92]

Very helpful for a youngblood without an oxy torch to heat the pins :P

[@eksshop4845]

lol keep the oxy torch away from the pins! Bad things will happen!

[@williamt1083]

Damn, I just attached my handle yesterday and I just glued it all together (and badly at that)... Hope it holds :(

[@eksshop4845]

As long as you're not beating on it, it should hold for a while. If the pins work their way out just replace and peen new ones 😊

[@jeanmartiny527]

excellent video - what material used for the pins ?

[@eksshop4845]

Hey thanks for watching! It’s been a few years but it was a stainless steel pin. The exact flavor I can’t recall at the moment 😅

[@MichaelSmith-nd4rr]

That is actually a crosspeen hammer, use the other end for a better, quicker spread, tip from an old toolmaker

[@eksshop4845]

Yes it is a lil crosspeen. I prefer to use the flat end for small pins - but I have used flat ends, cross peens, ball peens - they all work.

[@HighTone45]

What kind of metal dowels do you use for this installation

[@eksshop4845]

I used 416 stainless steel pins in this video - I believe. It’s been a while 😅; brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel are all effective pin materials though. Brass is a favorite of mine; personally!

[@BRExteriorPro]

What material do you recommend for the pins?

[@eksshop4845]

Copper, bronze, brass, stainless steel, and aluminum will all work well depending on the look you're going for! Some guys get really fancy and use nickel silver

[@matthewpaulsen8724]

Can this same technique be used with brass pins?

[@eksshop4845]

Most certainly. And brass tends to move a bit easier than stainless steels or bronze. :)

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

2 or 3 oz hammer? Looks like at least 8, and more like 12-16.

[@eksshop4845]

It is infact a 4oz hammer that I've used so much there is no indicator of weight left. It's basically a tack hammer but in mini crosspeen form - very useful for delicate work

[@sergio98o]

Don’t you crack the epoxi with the hammering? Thanks for the video!

[@eksshop4845]

If you smack the handle you definitely can. You have to be careful to only make contact with the pin. It takes practice!

[@arokiasamyanthony5371]

Tq my friend

[@eksshop4845]

Of course! Thanks for watching :)

[@harperexplores9349]

Ever try using a ball peen hammer to send the energy to the center of the pin?

[@eksshop4845]

Definitely; on difficult pin materials like bronze or stainless steel; the ball peen can definitely speed things up.

[@xmaster10777]

Can you make pins out of nails?

[@eksshop4845]

In theory yes, but you'll likely have to anneal them first (soften them with a torch). May be hard to find a drill bit the same size as well - I wouldn't recommend it. They would likely rust as well

[@davidwright4361]

That handle would stay on through a nuclear blast! The pins are huge!

[@eksshop4845]

lol! I like big pins 😆