Epoxy?

[Eight Trigrams]

For those who have had luck fixing a cracked horn handle, what epoxy did you use and where could I get some?

 

[topgun0728]

I used Loctite epoxy (regular kind) from Home Depot. It's the kind that comes in a tube and you have to squeeze out 2 types of liquids and mix yourself on a piece of paper or cardboard. Does the job well.

Link:

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=11&subid=49&plid=440

 

[C.S. Graves]

This is going to sound bizarre, but I fixed the crack in my Ak's horn handle with super glu and some shaved-off arm hairs as filler. I had to shave the handle after the glue dried.

 

[Eight Trigrams]

Hmm. Looks good, but how would you end up getting it into the crack? Seems like you'd need some kind of syringe-type job to do that.

 

[Xmodius]

This is going to sound bizarre, but I fixed the crack in my Ak's horn handle with super glu and some shaved-off arm hairs as filler. I had to shave the handle after the glue dried.

I used some regular superglue also to fill a small crack in the wood handle of my Cherokee Rose. It cures to a hard clear plastic, which because the crack was small is not even visible after filling.. It has also been used by some makers to produce an extremely shiny finish on wood knife handles, pens etc.

 

[Xmodius]

Hmm. Looks good, but how would you end up getting it into the crack? Seems like you'd need some kind of syringe-type job to do that.

It is a very runny (non-viscous) liquid, unless you have the gel type which is viscous. But I guess you meant the epoxy, which is viscous, lol. My mind was stuck on superglue...

I have used toothpicks and needles to pack the epoxy into cracks etc.

 

[C.S. Graves]

Yeah, the toothpick/needle idea would be the best bet for viscous epoxies/resins. I typically opt for the super/crazy glue type stuff because it can pour into the crack and get in there more deeply. May take several applications to fill a crack, depending.

 

[b.c.molin]

Has anyone tried to match the color of the horn by adding a tinting agent ...I seem to remember of powdered graphite being used?

C.S., I assume that since horn is a hard growth of keratin your arm hair was as a natural filler and maybe colorization?

 

[ferguson]

I like the superglue unless the crack is huge. It wicks down in by capillary action. You may have to apply it several times. Even when I'm using epoxy, I use superglue first to wick down into the very narrow cracks. To tint epoxy to match horn, I use a tiny bit of black epoxy colorant (that's colourant to you Bruce )that I bouught from Texas Knifemakers supply. If you make it just barely translucent black it matches well. I've also heard of folks using powdered charcoal, or black model paint.
Steve

 

[Kismet]

In my experience, the key to coloring the superglue is to try to keep it clear...without exception, I get gunk in the glue. YMMV.

 

[b.c.molin]

I've also heard of folks using powdered charcoal, or black model paint.
Steve

Thank you Steve, these two items would be much easier for me to acquire.:thumbup:

In my experience, the key to coloring the superglue is to try to keep it clear...without exception, I get gunk in the glue. YMMV.

Kismet, do you mean mixing it in a way to avoid the additive from binding/sticking/clumping together or something different like when air bubbles form in it making it go cloudy?

 

[Eight Trigrams]

I have no interest in making the handle look pretty after I'm done... I just want it to not explode when I'm chopping something. So what I'm hearing here is that something like the Loctite epoxy is the way to go for a big crack, but plain ol' superglue is good for the small ones, correct?

 

[Kismet]

Thank you Steve, these two items would be much easier for me to acquire.:thumbup:



Kismet, do you mean mixing it in a way to avoid the additive from binding/sticking/clumping together or something different like when air bubbles form in it making it go cloudy?

Nope, b.c.....

just screwing around...dust, ash, dog hair...something always gets into the mix when I do it.

In fact, in 40,000 years, archeologists will find my super-glue finger prints on fishing rods, motorcycle parts, and various knives that I TRIED to keep pristine.

 

[C.S. Graves]

C.S., I assume that since horn is a hard growth of keratin your arm hair was as a natural filler and maybe colorization?

My hair's about the same colour as the horn. I figured a. I shave enough of it off after sharpenings, and b. it's a good, strong, fibrous material that ought to soak the glue in nicely, better holding things together.

 

[b.c.molin]

Nope, b.c.....

just screwing around...dust, ash, dog hair...something always gets into the mix when I do it.

In fact, in 40,000 years, archeologists will find my super-glue finger prints on fishing rods, motorcycle parts, and various knives that I TRIED to keep pristine.

LOL ... I appreciate your wish for a 'clean room' type environment!

My hair's about the same colour as the horn. I figured a. I shave enough of it off after sharpenings, and b. it's a good, strong, fibrous material that ought to soak the glue in nicely, better holding things together.

I did wonder about the coloring and bonding attributes of the hair; my Rhodesian Ridgeback has better matching colors than me for repairing the cracks in the two grips that need fixing, and the way he sheds it will be easy getting them as well if I choose to follow your example. :thumbup: