Ya pretty sure its the same knot. Depending on what tools you have access to, it can be quite easy to remove them.

Band saw and a bench sander,

Cut through the handle an inch below the top, sand the cut end away until you see the knot. Then cut through the side wall very carefully so you don't get into the knot. Put it in a vice and go at it with a flat tip screw driver, breaking away the side wall until the entire knot comes out.

Here's a link where I did a Thater. http://straightrazorpalace.com/brush...ed-thater.html