Thanks Dave, sounds like I could do it a few different ways. After I choose some handle material, either wood or something like Micarta , I will give this project a go.I mount the knife handle in a drill press vise then drill out the rivets. I then punch out the other side. If I have to pry I do so from both sides at once (if possible) - there's nothing worse than a kinked up tang. I've sanded them off also but I find I'm quicker now doing it the drilling way.