Damaged handle scales: beyond repair?

[Ninja Blacksmith]

So, I've had handle scales crack on me every now and then, but most of them are usually short enough and shallow enough that CA glue can be used for a solid repair, much like burl voids. This is the first time I've had a set actually break cleanly in half. Both of them. While sanding. The scales in question are ironwood - which I have worked with plenty of times before. Would there be a method to repair these? Handle material won't matter, since the knife is a gift and all the recipient said was "surprise me." So, if it's not possible or not worth it, I can replace them with another set that I have on hand. Maple is a little easier for me to work with, anyway.

 

[viral]

How are you cracking them? I've made around a hundred knives and never had any split.

I would never try to repair them, I would just replace them.

 

[Matt Rochester]

Depending on where they broke you could two tone them with some black micarta. Either go half n' half or make wooden bolsters. I also wonder how you are cracking them?

 

[Rhinoknives1]

That would be my suggestion as well, Do some segmented scales if they are true and you have a mitered sanding disc.

Its very strange that you cracked two sets? Were these cut one after the other? Perhaps a crack/fisser that wasn't visible?

 

[Ninja Blacksmith]

That's my best guess, since I have never had this issue with ironwood before. The breaks do seem to "follow" each other on the scales at a similar angle, so it's possible. I haven't had trouble from any other woods - except redwood - which is almost guaranteed to crack on me.

I was fuming more over the loss of good material than the cost of them, but I decided to toss them and moved on to preparing a set of stabilized maple scales as replacements. I'll invest in a *good* mitering disc before I try segmented handles.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

There is nothing wrong with Stabilized Maple scales. I use it quite a bit. Large variety of burls, Quilted, Tiger striped and it takes dyes and the Acrylic well along with being very renewable. No shortage of Maple Trees.

Hope this works out for you. Look at the mitered discs trugrit.com sells.

its on my list since my other one was stolen when I had to down size to my small shop just over a year ago.

 

[colu41]

Agree with viral, just replace them. I also dont know how you cracked 2 sets. You have pics? Maybe theyre just too thin. Also how are you sanding them? Should have a setup with a solid backing so theres absolutely no flex.