Top-Right: Like many
other Condor knives,
the Cavelore is made
in El Salvador and is
an excellent build for
the price.Stabilizing Wood for Handle Scales
The process of stabilizing wood for handle scales can be an important part
of the creation of a knife — if you are using wood.Stabilizing is a method of injecting wood with resins to create a stable,
hardened piece of wood that is safe to work with and will not take on
moisture and swell, or dry out and crack.There are dierent methods for stabilizing wood for handle scales. I
recommend looking into more of the process details if you plan to make
your own handle scales from any piece of wood you found during a hike
or camping trip. There are a lot of beautiful chunks of wood that would
make exquisite handle material, if you keep your eyes open. You could
end up with a knife that is personalized to your story. Just make sure to
stabilize it first, or your new handle scales will be short-lived.Middle-Right: Note
the faux forging that
climbs into and under-
neath the handle. If the
handle ever needs to
be replaced there may
be a pleasant surprise
underneath!Bottom-Right:
Copper-colored metal
twine envelops the
handle and appears to
hold the scales in place.
While it’s just a design
element, it’s a nice
touch from Condor.again close to the butt. These wires are
obviously glued into place but finish
up the look of a handmade artifact,
despite the El Salvador stamp in the
handle belly.
For me, the most intriguing — and my
absolute favorite — part of the knife is
the sheath. It’s a handcrafted welted
leather that follows a tradition rarely
observed in production knives. The
rear stitching and contoured leather
are reminiscent of most Puukko-style
sheaths. The stitching is a more modern
thread, but hardly noticeable unless
looking at it incredibly closely.
The weight and balance of the knife
are pristine with the slightly rear-heavy
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