Alternative Spacer Material

E

Esquire919

Joined
Sep 29, 2017
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First, this is my first post. This forum is an incredible resource for those who are hobbyists and/or just learning.

I'm aware that vulcanized fiber and other material is very inexpensive to order from knife material stores, however, I was looking around for alternative spacer materials for some smaller stacked handled knives (think small mora blanks). While mining my workshop I thought, 'I wonder if I can use caps from these old spray paint cans?' I've got a multitude of colors, especially in black, white, burgundy, etc. I haven't tried cutting them up or sanding them to shape yet. Before I make a mess, what are your thoughts on whether you think that type of plastic would hold up well enough in a stacked handle (between a brass bolster and wooden handle specifically).

Thanks in advance for your input!
 
I do not see any reason why you should not use them . But I would try first if they can be glued to each other with epoxy ?
 
That's a good idea. I should get a chance to mess with it this weekend. I'll do some tests and report back in.
 
I would recommend doing a test with whatever glue you use to make sure that it works with whatever mystery spacer material you are using.

- Paul Meske, Chippewa Falls, WI
 
And make sure it is flat
Theoreticaly you don't need to glue it if you stack it over the tang and screw on a buttcap tightly
 
That's a great point. I'll see how things go shaping it separately and report whether it glues and/or I wind up with a hand full of magma.
 
thin g10 is so cheap i wouldn't bother trying to use scraps or material i was unsure about. but thats just me it might work out fine.
 
I say it will work fine. Even if glue wont adhere, it should not rotate if tightly clamped in the stack and tightly fitted or bedded against tang.
Agreed, its some kind of polyethylene. Thermoplastic anyway, its likely to melt easy & smear.
Fwiw, I use alot of Formica as spacer. Its much like a thin paper micarta. With a very thin layer of whatever its surface colour is.

Another is just layer of epoxy soaked cloth applied during the stack up & clamping.
 
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