Epoxy question

Justin.Mercier

Justin.Mercier

Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
1,652
What sort of epoxy should I be looking for to use for knife handles?

I've got a few pieces of bone, hollow with joints on the end to close up that I'd like to use for handles on a pair of cable damascus Sign Dubh I'm making, but I'm not sure what type of epoxy to fill the things with to hold the stick tang in place. The tang will only go down a little more than half way into handle, not a full length, so I want something strong.

All Iv'e been able to find for epoxy near me is the 2 part epoxy and hardener stuff theyv'e got in the paint section of lowes, and I dont know if something like that would be any good at all.

Superglue and gorilla glue are the only other adhisives I've got around my shop currently... dont think they'll work >_<
 
ive tryed locktite 60 minute epoxy from home depot its in a syringe and it would not dry for me, maybe i got the mixture wrong but i still wouldnt recomend it
 
2nd for Devcon. I've used 5 min and 15 min. Don't get the 5 unless you're really fast at spreading and clamping.
 
I've used the loctite 60 minute with no issues. Admittedly, I'm usually doing a couple of knives at a time and just use a whole syringe at once, so the mix should be right. Personally I'd rather spend the extra $1 on the "extra epoxy" I know I'll grind off than worry about the mix being off because of those stupid syringe thingies.

I did just get some of Pop's epoxy so that's next on the epoxy to try list.

-d
 
I have used many types of epoxy, as I make Archery equipment, Kayaks, Canoes and knives. I could point out a few things that will help.
Slow setting epoxy is stronger, and less likely to yellow or turn milky.
Slow set epoxy can be thinned while mixing with acetone, but will lose some of its strength.
If you have large areas to fill you can mix sawdust, metal filings, chopped fiberglass, or even cotton balls to your mix and not lose any strength, sometimes even gets stronger.
I don't have a favorite brand of epoxy for knife handles as long as its not quick or 5 minuet epoxy.
West system epoxy is a marine laminating resin epoxy, you can get by the quart, gallon, or barrel. A thinner mix, crystal clear, impervious to chemicals, and very strong. Good for micarta and stabilizing wood, as well as glue ups.
Smooth on epoxy is used in laminating Bows, thick mix, Yellow when hard, Flexible, and very strong.
MT4 is a white epoxy very good at bonding dissimilar materials, Like micarta to metal. looks like you have a thin white spacer.
Elmer's, Bondo and the others that come in the syringe are all just fine as long as there not the 5 minuet type.
Did I mention don't use 5 minuet epoxy?
 
Any of the slow setting epoxies should work fine. I've had some of a couple of brands take a looong time to set when the stuff was more than 6 or 9 months old. The other thing is the stick tang should be fairly well rought up to allow the epoxy to make a strong mechanical bond.

ron
 
Brownells ACRAGLAS is a superior product. add atomized metal powder to it (also avaialble from Brownells) for super strength.
 
all i can say is the loctite speedbonder is the best stuff i've used... i tried everything from craglas to jb weld and devcon and all the above and it all failed for me for some reason. but this speedbonder is the best stuff.

search for my post on epoxies and for the glue wars posts. i think tracy mickley is now a dealer for loctite. deal with him if he is. he's the man.
 
I have used Devcon the most, JB weld on 3 knives, and used Loctite the first time tonight.

I am kinda worried about the Loctite because it had really big bubbles in the syringe and I am not 100% sure if the mix was good. I am going on vacation for a week and will leave it in a warm place till I get back and see how it does.
 
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