Any problems with spacing material shrinking?

[mchazen]

I have been having some spacing material shrink latley. Usually on Micarta handles where I dunk it in water while grinding. I have never had this happen before. Anybody shine some light on this? Thanks, Mark

 

[LRICE]

I had the same problem a year or so ago with some red spacer, I wet sanded the micarta. Got a great finish but it ruined the spacer.

 

[NickWheeler]

Yea Mark, I've had the same problem before.

I did a small skinner with 5 layers of spacer in-between the dovetailed bolsters and the stag handle (black>white>thick blue>white>black) and I had everything absolutely flush when it was done. A couple weeks later and your fingernail will hang up if you drag it from the stag to the bolster.

How aggravating!!! It makes it look as though I don't care about fit!!!

I dip in water too...so I don't know if that's it or not. I am running on a slow speed with sharp belts, but it still just seems smart to keep that piece as cool as possible.

Can anybody help us out?

Nick

 

[mchazen]

Hey Guys. I have since learned that if you dip spacers in water they WILL absorb the water and do all kinds of funky things. What is strange is I have made a ton of knives and have not had this problem before. Guess it was just my day

. Mark Ps. Want to clarify; dipping the handle during shaping not just the spacer material.

 

[Bruce Bump]

Have you noticed most of the old knives with spacers have almost all shrunk from hard use of the knife. Some of them even have gaps and loose handles now. I quit useing alot of spacers and now use only a couple thin black ones and metal spacers that match the guard material. Ive had less trouble with shrinkage this way. Bruce B

 

[mchazen]

I like that ideal, Bruce. Think I'll give it a try.

Mark