All About Pocket Knives

When I fist saw one of these knives with the Kutmaster blade I knew I was going to try and make one of these. I've always liked the Purina knives, I think because they were so common when I was younger. Anyway, got this down and the blade fit and action is good. The trouble is in the graphics. I found an old insert from a Remington Purina knife and copied it to use it on this. I tried to copy it on photo paper and when it was touched by oil all of the ink bled off. It is on card stock now but I wonder if there is something better to use? Also using Modge Podge from the hobby store to seal the insert after it is copied to keep it from bleeding. Is there a better product to be used? I've seen some of these picture knives posted and have put together a few myself. Just looking to improve. I'm not thin skinned - comments and suggestions are welcomed.

I don't know of any paper that won't smudge when oil is added. Can you get a tight enough seal so no foreign material will get to the picture? Or put spacers under the picture to get it tight. Sorry no help, my neighbor is a graphic artist I will ask him about your project. Greg

Bob,
I would be inclined to use a 2 part casting resin, probably available at a hobby store.
You can get more depth with it than Mod Podge.

You might also seal the paper after it is printed.
A hobby store should have a spray on sealer that would work.
It might take multiple light coats, but I think it should work, or you could take the file to Kinkos (I think UPS bought them out) and have them print the paper on a laser printer so the ink won't run.

I HAVE PLANS TO TRY A PICTURE KNIFE......
MY PLAN....
A WHITE VINYL LINER.....THE ONES THEY SELL FOR FIXED BLADES.....
AND HAVE THE PICTURE/AD CUT OUT OF VINYL STICKER....THEY DO THE STICKERS AT THE MALL HERE,ALSO A GUY WHO DOES IT AT THE SWAP MEET ON HIS COMPUTER.....THEY CAN DO ANY COLOR,SIZE, OR DESIGN CUT WITH THEM PRINTERS........
4" X 4" STICKER WAS $8 I THINK???????
I ALSO WAS GONNA TRY TO SEAL THE STICKER ON TOP OF LINER......THEN SANDWICH WITH CLEAR SCALE MATERIAL...........
WELL..........THATS THE PLAN..not sure if would work.....LOLOLOL....wanna try it 1st??? heheheh

I don't think we have anyone around here doing that type of thing. If you think about it years ago they were making scads of these w/o the modern conveniences. They must have dipped the picture in some formulation of varnish or shellac? Many of the older knives you see today have yellowed. So far as I can see they are not sealed around the top either. A drop of oil on the blade goes through the pin hole and unto the handle material. I suspect Orvet is on the right track and the picture may need several coats of something before assembling the knife. Trial and error takes a lot of time. My thinking is now that the glossy photo paper is a bad idea. Card stock holds the ink much better.