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bugs eating wood handle!
- Thread starter olpappy
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If it were me id hit it with my portable Tesla coil.it does fun things to bugs anywhere near it like a death field.
Now that sounds like fun... got any vids of that?
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DEATH RAY !!! 
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A common misconception.
many microwaveable food containers have metal in them. Certain metals also react differently. You can put a flat piece of foil in and it'll be fine, but wad one up and you'll get a mini lightning show.
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I've got some blocks of wood with bug holes, but they got sent to WSSI so there should be no more holes showing up. Let the little suckers try and eat stabilized wood!
As far as horn materials, I've had several handles have chunks taken out. I've found putting moth balls in close proximity keeps them away. I may try Ed's acurglass trick, but this was cow and buffalo horn ground and polished smooth, no external texture. Not sure if it'd work with the wood, but you could try the moth balls.
As far as horn materials, I've had several handles have chunks taken out. I've found putting moth balls in close proximity keeps them away. I may try Ed's acurglass trick, but this was cow and buffalo horn ground and polished smooth, no external texture. Not sure if it'd work with the wood, but you could try the moth balls.
Willie71
Warren J. Krywko
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There are a lot of great suggestions here, but I think the best advice is to remove the scales and replace them.The wood doesn't look like anything special, and the finish on them looks like something out of a juniour high shop class. It seems like a lot of effort to save them, unless this is a collector's piece, then do whatever you can to save it.
It is an HI YCS Karda designed by noted forumite and friend to HI whom passéd away in june of last year named Yvsa.
Sometimes sold separately in various sizes, it is usually one of the side knives that comes with the Yvsa Cherokee Special.
The wood is Satisal a species of Rosewood common to parts of Nepal and India.
The best course of treatment is to place the knife in a plastic bag and freeze for at least 1 week.
If that is unsuccessful, stronger treatment may be required, such as a pesticide.
I would not boil the wood as that will likely damage it.
I would not seal the larvae in, as they may bore their way out if not killed.
I would not microwave it, as this can be dangerous.
I can assure you that it was not sold to the original purchaser in this condition.
As it can not be determined how this was stored since purchase and since many wood boring insect larvae are present (and sometimes prevalent in some areas) here in the states plus the OP is not the original purchaser of the item, replacement by Auntie would not be possible.
Just as dermestid beetles will eat horn if not cared for or stored properly. Wood worms will also.
The simplest fix for this knife after extermination is to fill the hole 90% with superglue. Then apply a dot of superglue over the remainder of the hole, let it congeal and then sand the handle being sure that sanding dust gets mixed in with the glue. This will then provide and almost, if not invisible repair. I would the seal the wood using your preference of wood finishes. Boiled linseed oil or tru-oil are recommended for this.
There are longer more complicated ways to repair it also.
Sometimes sold separately in various sizes, it is usually one of the side knives that comes with the Yvsa Cherokee Special.
The wood is Satisal a species of Rosewood common to parts of Nepal and India.
The best course of treatment is to place the knife in a plastic bag and freeze for at least 1 week.
If that is unsuccessful, stronger treatment may be required, such as a pesticide.
I would not boil the wood as that will likely damage it.
I would not seal the larvae in, as they may bore their way out if not killed.
I would not microwave it, as this can be dangerous.
I can assure you that it was not sold to the original purchaser in this condition.
As it can not be determined how this was stored since purchase and since many wood boring insect larvae are present (and sometimes prevalent in some areas) here in the states plus the OP is not the original purchaser of the item, replacement by Auntie would not be possible.
Just as dermestid beetles will eat horn if not cared for or stored properly. Wood worms will also.
The simplest fix for this knife after extermination is to fill the hole 90% with superglue. Then apply a dot of superglue over the remainder of the hole, let it congeal and then sand the handle being sure that sanding dust gets mixed in with the glue. This will then provide and almost, if not invisible repair. I would the seal the wood using your preference of wood finishes. Boiled linseed oil or tru-oil are recommended for this.
There are longer more complicated ways to repair it also.
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Wow, thanks for all the great input and information! Exactly what I was looking for.
I got this knife in a trade, and he says the holes were not there when it was sent, so I think it likely they got there in transit or after arriving here. We have no shortage of bugs where I live. When I saw I thought "Ahah, a YCS Karda!" However I was not sure since the pics on the HI site Yvsa's has the fancy yin-yang inlay. Thanks for confirming the model. I did not see any sawdust in the packaging, but I wasn't expecting it or looking for it, either. I will definitely do the freezer treatment and then probably sit on white paper after to check for sawdust. I do like the satisal rosewood very much, and it should be easy to smooth out and sand the handle once the bugs are killed.
I suppose it's not possible to tell from the holes what kinds of bugs they are. I know sometimes I find little round brown bugs eating various dry grains in my pantry like oatmeal, rice, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if they can also eat just about anything else. Can any one post pics or links of different kinds of bugs they know of that eat wood? This info could be useful to others who get this kind of problem in the future.
I got this knife in a trade, and he says the holes were not there when it was sent, so I think it likely they got there in transit or after arriving here. We have no shortage of bugs where I live. When I saw I thought "Ahah, a YCS Karda!" However I was not sure since the pics on the HI site Yvsa's has the fancy yin-yang inlay. Thanks for confirming the model. I did not see any sawdust in the packaging, but I wasn't expecting it or looking for it, either. I will definitely do the freezer treatment and then probably sit on white paper after to check for sawdust. I do like the satisal rosewood very much, and it should be easy to smooth out and sand the handle once the bugs are killed.
I suppose it's not possible to tell from the holes what kinds of bugs they are. I know sometimes I find little round brown bugs eating various dry grains in my pantry like oatmeal, rice, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if they can also eat just about anything else. Can any one post pics or links of different kinds of bugs they know of that eat wood? This info could be useful to others who get this kind of problem in the future.
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I just received this knife, the sender swears there was no damage when he mailed it, so upon seeing these insect boring holes I assume there may be live bugs actively eating the wood. How can I be sure to kill the bugs before filling and repairing the damage? My first priority is to kill any bugs so they won't spread and start eating any other wood items!
That's not true, check the pics in this thread, where he bought it.
You can see the holes in the same position as yours
It's not worth fussing over return shipping, but that seller is full of it
Not only did he fail full disclosure, he's actively lying about the condition.
I'll never trade or purchase from him.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...n-Imports-AK-Bowie-by-Bhakta-YCS-Karda-by-Vim
In the original sales thread by the HI moderator you can see the worm holes too
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1038729-Happy-Valientine-s-Day-
Seems to me those holes were in there from new and not that recent
Judging fro the text in the Feb 14 thread, those are being sold as new
You can see the holes in the photos, but there is no specific disclosure of that defect, which I would consider proper.
How about it, Karda have a look at the Valentines day photos, those worm holes are there in that same distinctive pattern.
I'm wondering how you can provide such assurances?
I'd call that Feb 14 thread the original sales date
20 seconds of Google and the info is found without even leaving BF
It seems that's not true and blaming it on the buyers to avoid warranty service is a bad customer service move, especially on such an inexpensive piece.
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I read in a book about hand crafting walking sticks about applying wormwood oil before sealing the ends and letting the wood season prevents the problem. No one that I asked ever heard of wormwood oil. Some people like the look on certain furniture but, I don't think that applies to knife handles.
I suppose you don't consider clear pictures any sort of disclosure?
Both those sales threads appear to show the holes.
This item was sold at less than half it's normal value by Auntie.
Normally Auntie will disclose any noticed defects and vastly discount the item as a blemish item. I do assure that the omission was not done maliciously. Auntie is a very honest businesswoman and may not have realized what these were, discounting the item as cosmetic.
Running a business by herself, both here and in Nepal, is no easy feat and with 3/4 of the USA between her and I means I cannot be present to help inspect incoming shipments, nor help with posting her sales.
Honestly, this is the first instance I've seen of worm holes in our product. I have seen many hundreds of pieces both thru pictures and physically.
We are both human and as such are prone to fallability at times. We do however make it right when such things are truly our fault.
I apologize and do so on Aunties behalf also.
She has been notified of this problem and i'm sure will be more careful in the future.
Actually, your investigative skills are apparently as lacking as mine. The thread you've linked to was not the sale where olpappy purchased this item. It was bought by him for the same exact price as originally sold. Not traded.
Please tell me where I blamed the customer? I stated a fact. This could've as easily happened here in the US.
Normally, as stated clearly in the warranty, coverage is to the original purchaser at Aunties discretion.
Since there appears to be no new damage done to the piece since the original sale, I suspect no live critters are present.
If olpappy wishes, however, he may send this item to me by priority mail insured for it's cost and I will reimburse him for his $35 + shipping cost to me.
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Now that we have the rest of the story, I feel it was an honest presentation about an honest entry level knife with some slight cosmetic blemishes that will in no way harm the integrity of that knife. Obviously represented honestly and for $35.00 well worth what was paid.
Mossyhorn I truly wonder what wormwood oil was. Just might have be a little toxic. (smile)
olpappy:
If you feel your were truly harmed by this purchase I will gladly buy the knife for what you paid and have some fun with it.
Worm wood oil www.bulkapothecary.com/Wormwood-Oil
Mossyhorn I truly wonder what wormwood oil was. Just might have be a little toxic. (smile)
olpappy:
If you feel your were truly harmed by this purchase I will gladly buy the knife for what you paid and have some fun with it.
Worm wood oil www.bulkapothecary.com/Wormwood-Oil
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Thank You, Mr.Fowler.
We would not sell it at all if it's integrity was questionable.
Auntie has gotten back with me and also offered refund.
I honestly don't know how she accomplishes what she does and has for all these years.
Answering customer calls, customer emails. Inspection and grading of shipments coming in. Taking pictures and organizing sales.
Dealing with workers and management in a foreign country and tending to theirs and their families needs including schooling for their children.
Dealing with the myriad of questions. Dealing with orders from the store site. Dealing with customers whom at times are not very nice to her. Packing and shipping of items from both this forum and the store site. All by herself.
All of this on top of her own and her families needs..... and helping those friends in need plus some that she doesn't really know.
It is why I do my best to run her forum as she wishes and help her in any way I can.
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Karda:
I can see that she is doing a service to some folks who are willing to work for very little money and very probably need the cash to live on and support their families.
Not only that she is supplying knives for the knife community where we can enjoy a particular style of knife for an honest investment. Some of the knives I have seen advertised have a lot of history behind them, and offer the newcomer to the knife community an affordable start of a collection.
She is dong a fine service and I congratulate both her and you.
I can see that she is doing a service to some folks who are willing to work for very little money and very probably need the cash to live on and support their families.
Not only that she is supplying knives for the knife community where we can enjoy a particular style of knife for an honest investment. Some of the knives I have seen advertised have a lot of history behind them, and offer the newcomer to the knife community an affordable start of a collection.
She is dong a fine service and I congratulate both her and you.
Thank you, sir.
I'm sure as a knifemaker you understand what i'm talking about all too well.
OT about the cigars - You seal them in ziploc bags and freeze for a few days. Then you can transfer to the fridge to let them thaw. After you're sure they are tobacco beetle free you can put them back in your humidor and let them rest for a long while to get back up to the proper humidity level. If the beetles are all gone and the cigar is mostly intact you can definitely smoke it.
Pretty good detective work there, I guess I missed the holes in the photos myself. Anyway if the holes were there from a long time ago it seems less likely that live bugs are still in there. Karda and Auntie offered me to return the knife for a refund, but I turned him down, I will keep it and repair the holes in the manner suggested previously. If I ever get it finished I might even post some pictures of the refinished handle.... right now knife is in the freezer. Even though I am not the original buyer, just goes to show how hard HI tries to make their customers happy. That is why HI has so many loyal customers!
I honestly don't think freezing it is necessary, olpappy.
I would probably check with a toothpick as I outlined in my pm.
will be happy to see your work when you are able to finish it.
I honestly love my blems. You get a really good price and with a few skills with basic tools, a bit of sanding and you can end up with a very nice piece with a bit of yourself added to the kamis work.
My collection has a few items that were once blems in it. I splurged once and snagged one of the last 3 kothimodas made by the royal kami before illness retired him. Auntie discounted it because of a few dings in the silver bolster from shipping. A little filing on the bolster and it is as nice as any made and is pretty much the jewel in my collection.
I would probably check with a toothpick as I outlined in my pm.
will be happy to see your work when you are able to finish it.
I honestly love my blems. You get a really good price and with a few skills with basic tools, a bit of sanding and you can end up with a very nice piece with a bit of yourself added to the kamis work.
My collection has a few items that were once blems in it. I splurged once and snagged one of the last 3 kothimodas made by the royal kami before illness retired him. Auntie discounted it because of a few dings in the silver bolster from shipping. A little filing on the bolster and it is as nice as any made and is pretty much the jewel in my collection.