Hi I bought a new knife that has cocobolo scales. On one side of the handle there are 2 visible cracks about 2 inches long originating from location of one of the pins. I can see it and also my finger nail catches on it. Is this acceptable or should I speak to the maker about this? Appreciate your advice. Thanks
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Cocobolo Scale Cracks
- Thread starter Lotus03
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I wouldn't be too happy about that. I'd give the maker a call, especially if you paid a pretty penny for the blade.
DennisStrickland
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send it back.
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not necessarily.
It is most likely because of a humidity change from the maker's place to yours. All woods are natural materials and are subject to moisture changes. Especially if a knife goes from high humidity to low (10-15%).
I'm surprised cocobolo would crack, though. Perhaps the scales were under a bit of tension when they were installed and then cracked when the moisture changed.
Hopefully the maker will take the handles off and put new ones on. That is standard procedure in a case like this.
Sometimes people mistake figure or voids for cracks...but it sounds like that's not the case here.
Dan
It is most likely because of a humidity change from the maker's place to yours. All woods are natural materials and are subject to moisture changes. Especially if a knife goes from high humidity to low (10-15%).
I'm surprised cocobolo would crack, though. Perhaps the scales were under a bit of tension when they were installed and then cracked when the moisture changed.
Hopefully the maker will take the handles off and put new ones on. That is standard procedure in a case like this.
Sometimes people mistake figure or voids for cracks...but it sounds like that's not the case here.
Dan
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2009
- Messages
- 1,000
I too would send it back, or in the least inform the maker of the issue.
For future reference, hairline cracks in wood are easily repaired. Just a small drop of thin CA adhesive (superglue) will seal the wood and prevent the crack from propagating. This is useful to know because sometimes wood will eventually crack, no matter the skill of the craftsman.
For future reference, hairline cracks in wood are easily repaired. Just a small drop of thin CA adhesive (superglue) will seal the wood and prevent the crack from propagating. This is useful to know because sometimes wood will eventually crack, no matter the skill of the craftsman.
DennisStrickland
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- Jun 24, 2009
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it's always great when the experts join in. koster & dobson both have extensive experience with many woods. woods are something that seem to hang on the periphery of knife discussions and many of us are held in a gray area until the woodies can help out.thanks guys for the facts.