or obtain a full-tang knife blade. A full-tang knife blade includes a metal blade and a bare metal handle. The handle (tang) part should be already cut in the shape of the wood handle (scale). You can buy knife kits online that contain just the full-tang blade and pins. Duct tape or electrical tape will work the best. You can use masking tape, but you'll need to use more layers. Wrap the tape from the tip of the knife all the way down to the base, where the blade ends. Do not cover the tang. Make sure that the tape completely covers the blade. This will reduce the chances of the knife cutting you, or of epoxy getting on the blade. The tape will not only keep you from getting cut while you work, but also protect the blade from getting chipped or scratched. If you can still feel the blade through the tape, simply wrap more tape around the blade. Choose a strong, durable wood that is about 14-in (0.64-cm) thick, and a little larger than the tang. For a nicer finish, ensure that the grain runs along the length of the wood. You can buy these pieces online from stores that specialize in knife-making supplies. A knife handle is composed of 2 halves, which are also known as "scales." The tang is sandwiched between the scales. Great types of wood to work with include: apple, ash, bois d'arc, hickory, peach, pear, and pecan. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and are typically more durable than softwoods, which come from coniferous trees. If you purchased a knife kit, the pins may already be cut for you. If you didn't purchase a kit, you will need to cut the metal rod into 1in (2.5cm) lengths. Set the rod down on a stable surface, then use a metal saw or file to cut it into 1in (2.5cm) lengths. How many rods you cut depends on how many holes are in the tang. Some knives have 2 holes while others have 4. The metal rod needs to be thin enough to fit through the holes in the tang. The thickness of the rod varies from knife to knife. Once again, if you purchased a kit, the pins should already be filed down for you. If you cut the pins yourself, there will likely be sharp burs on each end. File these down using a metal file or grinder. Don't worry if the ends of the pins are not perfectly flat. You will be filing them down later so that they are flush with the scales. You won't be using this until you are ready to glue everything together. Epoxy glue sets quickly, however, so it would be a good idea to have everything ready. Attach a piece of plywood to each side of your vise. Fold a sheet of plastic wrap, then tuck it between the vises, like a taco. Use a heavy-duty table-mounted vise, if possible. If you don't have that, use 2 to 3 smaller vises instead. The plywood will protect the wooden scales from getting dented by the vises. The plastic wrap will keep the epoxy glue from getting everywhere. If you don't have that, you can try wax paper instead.

Summary: Make Wrap 3 layers of tape around the blade part of your knife. Find two 14-in (0.64-cm) pieces of wood for the scales. Cut the pins, if needed. File down the ends of the pins, if needed. Line your vise or clamps with plywood and plastic wrap.

One of the easiest ways to prevent grout from getting dirty is to clean it often with something that will prevent mold and mildew from forming in the first place. One such substance is alcohol. Once a week, wipe the grout down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol using a clean cloth. There are several spray solutions you can make yourself using a clean spray bottle, including vinegar and water, tea tree oil and water, and hydrogen peroxide. Two to three times a week, spray the grout after a bath or shower with a solution of: Half-and-half vinegar and water. However, be aware that overuse of vinegar on grout can cause erosion over many years. Water and 15 to 20 drops of tea tree oil. Shake well before each use. Pure hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Removing the excess water from tiles and grout after a shower or bath is one of the easiest ways to keep grout looking new. After each use, wipe the shower walls or bath down with an old towel or squeegee. Another great way to keep mold and mildew from growing in your bathroom is by removing the water that allows it to grow. If your bathroom isn't equipped with an exhaust fan, remove moisture from the air after every shower or bath by opening the window and blowing a stand-up fan out the window. Grout should be re-sealed every few years. Sealant can be applied to the grout lines with a paint brush. Allow it to dry, and then remove sealant from the tiles by wiping them in a diagonal direction with a damp cloth or sponge. One applied and cleaned, allow the sealant to cure for about three to four hours.

Summary: Wipe it with alcohol. Spray it with a mold inhibitor. Dry the grout after every use. Keep the bathroom dry. Seal the grout.

If you switch back and forth between Desktop and Modern (the UI that Windows 8 uses), you may want to pin your most used Modern apps to your Desktop's taskbar. This will let you easily open them while in Desktop mode. You can pin any of your Live Tiles, or move down to the All Apps screen and pin any of the apps listed. This will add a shortcut to the app on your Desktop taskbar. This is especially useful if you want to get rid of the Store button that appears on the taskbar after updating to 8.1.
Summary: Open the Start screen. Right-click on the app you want to pin. Select "Pin to taskbar". Right-click on pinned apps and select "Unpin this program from the taskbar" to remove it.