I need some ideas on how to checkering the butter-knife bolt handle on my 9.3x62. I was planning to basically have some parallel groves engraved on the bottom side of the tip of the handle running front to back (of the rifle) and probably go about 1/3-1/2 up the bolt handle.

My take on butterknife handles is that they look good in the rack, but fail in the field. So, they are best left smooth as checkering them does not help a flawed design.
I know, it is just me.

This on the other hand by Danial Fraser is quite different

quote:

Originally posted by Von Gruff:
This on the other hand by Danial Fraser is quite different

I like that treatment! Thanks!

The ball on the end makes it no longer a butterknife, thereby curing the flaws of it.
Don't get me wrong; I like butterknife handles; just that they are not the best design for a bolt action operating handle. They are cosmetic adaptations; the only positive design feature is that they are flat and might gain some carrying advantage with that.

The butter knife hand does not poke you in the back when rifle is muzzle up over left shoulder.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Clark:
The butter knife hand does not poke you in the back when rifle is muzzle up over left shoulder.

They also ride in a scabbard better. That said, I own both and prefer a ball at the end of the bolt handle.