5-6 Rebuild

Z

zanussi01

Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Messages
624
Picked this up recently.
The seller waited five years to get it,only to find when it arrived
the stag handle had split.
(Apologies for blurred pics)
NIFj1or.jpg


This pic was taken after the removal of the stag and spacers.
Oh1vLcM.jpg


On with the rebuild.
Paper template is from my ol' 5-6.
Of the few 5-6's in my collection,it has the guard shape closest to this one.

VJQlyo5.jpg


Micarta (Black Linen,same as RMK use) drilled out to fit the tang.
1ZrtBTQ.jpg


Dry fit(no glue),just to check everything mates up nice and flush and "looks" right.
rle7qQK.jpg


Now comes the fun part,glue(two part epoxy)then shaping it up.
As I only have hand tools(files,rasps,sandpaper etc) this may take a while.
Stay tuned.....
 
Which epoxy do you use? I have heard that G/flex 650 (by West System) is the best one for knife use. They call it a "toughened epoxy" and say it "will absorb the stresses of expansion, contraction, shock, and vibration."
-Steve
 
Cant believe it split like that. Did he talk to RMK about it?

Thanks for posting the pictures after you split the handle. I’ve wondered what was in there.

Looking forward to seeing the finished results.
 
Steve,I use JB Weld brand epoxy,never had any drama with it yet.

Eveled,this is only the third Randall I have seen with a split like this.
One other was a 26,a guy had put it in a dishwasher.:eek:

I did tell the former owner of the 5-6 to contact RMK about it.
Not sure he did though as he didnt want to have to explain to his wife
why such an expensive knife he just got is broken and had to go back.

I made an offer for the knife,and he was glad to see the back of it.
I hope to do more on it this weekend,between fishing/kayaking trips.
 
"Steve, I use JB Weld brand epoxy, never had any drama with it yet."
Thanks, good to know.
-Steve
 
Did a little more on the 5-6 over the weekend.
Here I have started to shape the handle,the glue has been allowed to dry for a few days.
Lots of masking tape! Helps the vice grip the blade and prevent cuts.
(Sitting in A & E with your fingers in a ziploc bag is not a good look!)
6s05B1P.jpg


This type of rebuild is a little trickier than the Ka-Bar I did recently.
This has the guard already formed and finished,the Ka-Bar did not.
With this one I had to do a little bit of reverse engineering in regards to the handle.
Basically I had to make the handle fit the contours of the finished guard.
When originally made at the shop,the guard and handle would shaped at the same time.
This would be done with a round face grinding wheel for the back of the guard,and a belt sander
using a "slack belt" for the handle.
In this pic I have also started to taper the sides.
You can see the layers of linen as is tapers towards the handle.
X75hveq.jpg


Starting on the "facets" to round the handle.
Keep everything square and symmetrical,go slow and check your work,there is no rush.
NWJCzj9.jpg


She's getting there,slowly.
Rough sanding out of the facets.
(There is more to come off the top sides yet to match up with the guard.)
No lanyard tube in it as yet,that goes in today.
More to come,
Stay tuned....
7fEtrid.jpg
 
Excellent! Thanks for sharing you WIP, enjoy the knife, it looks like it's got at least a hundred years of use ahead of it. Well done.
 
eveled said:
Cant believe it split like that. Did he talk to RMK about it?

Thanks for posting the pictures after you split the handle. I’ve wondered what was in there.

Looking forward to seeing the finished results.
Click to expand...
Yup. Thanks for posting the pics, OP, as I also wondered how they were fit on the blade. This is my main reason for avoiding stag handles. While very beautiful, their fit and questionable robustness had led me to shy away from them. And this is from a guy who absolutely LOVES his 25-6 stag knife! I also look forward to seeing the finished results!
 
Thanks everyone,it was an absolute pleasure to fix it up and save it from an uncertain fate.

It wont be a show pony though,it will be a user.
Kristy is now the proud new owner,it was her birthday over the weekend.🎂

I have plenty of Randalls,but nothing beats the feeling of giving one to someone that deserves it.

Best case is she gets a lifetime of use from a handcrafted knife,worst case is I've created another Randall collector!

"Happiness is not something ready made,it comes from your own actions." :- Dalai Lama
 
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Thanks Steven65.
I did have one detractor though,(not on here),he said because it was a "rehandle",RMK wouldn't cover any warranty issues.
My reply:- If you were doing something with the knife to cause the handle to have such a catastrophic failure,ANY warranty from RMK most likely wouldn't cover it anyway.
 
I’m thinking they wouldn’t cover any issue now that it’s been modified even blade issues.

I think it’s highly unlikely you will have any issues. So it’s irrelevant. It does effect value I suppose and should be disclosed if it’s sold.

I hope you use the heck out of it and enjoy it immensely.
 
zanussi01 said:
Thanks Steven65.
I did have one detractor though,(not on here),he said because it was a "rehandle",RMK wouldn't cover any warranty issues.
My reply:- If you were doing something with the knife to cause the handle to have such a catastrophic failure,ANY warranty from RMK most likely wouldn't cover it anyway.
Click to expand...
You know........so what if it's not covered by the Randall Warranty. It's a beautiful personalised piece, go out and make memories with it, enjoy it and pass it on.🙂

As for your detractor.........I always say opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one!🤣
 
You are correct eveled,any issues with it are irrelevant.
To paraphrase Obe Wan,"There will be no issue with this knife."

Kristy wont sell it,she loves it far too much!
Has used it every day she has had it,and is now never without it.
Says she keeps it under her pillow at night!

Very true Steven65.
It has been personalized.
I have made memories with it (just by fixing it up) and enjoyed it.
I have passed it on to Kristy,the joy of seeing her owning it and using it is payment enough.

M-P, truer words have never been spoken,thanks.
 
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