I have a question for folks that have played with various designs.

I am thinking of shaping a "set" of scales out if a single block of wood, then ripping the center for the space for the blade. My goal is to get the shape into something comfortable 1st. When I cut the center for the blade, I intended to start at the tang end and cut just far enough for the blade to fit without going all the way to the end. The final goal is to keep the scales solid at the end, eliminating a wedge or pin at the end of the scales. The shape I am looking at would be a squared vice rounded end to the scales to provide more material for stregnth.

Would this work (be strong enough)? I can't see why it wouldn't, but I don't know what I'm doing yet. I seem to remember seeing this in other designs, but I am sure there are pit-falls I can't identify to this design or it would be more common.

Thanks in advance!


v/r

Allen