File work and epoxy/handle install ?

[quint]

So started working on my first knife (kind of it is a kit knife). So figured I would try out a few different things. Did a real simple file pattern on the back of it (its a hunter style straight blade) kind of like a vine pattern without the extra cuts for the branches.

Was not thinking and started putting the handle on, sand blade side smooth, epoxy one side, drill holes, epoxy the other side, drill holes, install my brass pins. Peen them inplace then started sanding the handle.

This is where I realized that all my file work between the handle material and the blade had filled with epoxy.

Just wondering how you guys work around this. Ill post some pics tomorrow when I finish with the sanding job and touch up as necessary. Thanks.

 

[Tiiiiiiiim]

Is the filework on the handle potion or the blade? Most people will fill up filework on the handle with coloured epoxy.

 

[Jason Fry]

I fill mine on purpose. Turns out smooth that way, with nice contrast, and the blood/skinning gunk doesn't get stuck in there.

 

[unky_gumbi]

Is the filework on the handle potion or the blade? Most people will fill up filework on the handle with coloured epoxy.

I fill mine on purpose. Turns out smooth that way, with nice contrast, and the blood/skinning gunk doesn't get stuck in there.

These, I don't think I have ever seen tang file work that wasn't filled in. By not filling it in as jkf96a says, you get all sorts of little nooks and crannies for things you don't want to hide in. It also makes it hard to see the file work if you don't fill in the spaces to contrast it.

 

[quint]

Thanks guys, didnt think about the colored epoxy. That makes sense as you guys pointed out.

I have scene reference to using india ink to color epoxy, any other options or is that the widely accepted method of choice?

 

[Robert Dark]

Thanks guys, didnt think about the colored epoxy. That makes sense as you guys pointed out.

I have scene reference to using india ink to color epoxy, any other options or is that the widely accepted method of choice?

I have used black paint. Went to the local wally-world and in the model car section, picked up a small bottle of "Testors" black model car paint. A little goes a long way. It worked well and has held up now for about 5 years.

Robert

 

[drysideshooter]

So how do most of you go about filling the file work prior to putting on the scales? Do you use tape or something on the sides of the tang to act sort of like a form and then fill the file work in with the colored epoxy?

 

[unky_gumbi]

I add a thickener to my epoxy along with a drop or two of paint and when I put on the scales I just spread some epoxy down the spine to fill in the file work. I normally will leave my scales a little bit bigger and fill the channel with epoxy. Once it all cures I grind away the excess when finishing so everything is nice and smooth

 

[GrizzlyBear]

Do you ever run into a problem with seeing the epoxy line on the smooth edges of the tang when using colored epoxy to glue the scales and fill the filework?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Until recently, filework was never filled. It was polished and left exposed.

 

[quint]

Well finished up as much as I am going to do for this one. Made alot of mistakes, should have matched the color of epoxy to the wood, realized that at the end of the scales that the file work didnt groove per say with the handle scales. Needed some sort of solid transition vice the way I did it. Also one of the biggest things was I peened the pins to hard and I noticed little cracks developed around them when I was taking photos. Also yes the blade itself could use some more sanding as I didnt get all the grooves out.

Still for putting together my first kit knife and first adventure into this stuff it was a very good learning experience. Realized alot of things not to do. I do like how the olive wood looks good though and will be using it in future projects.