Fill a gap

David Mary

David Mary

pass the mustard - after you cut it
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I made my neck knife with a stabilized wood inlay on either side, which I wear all the time, including sometimes in the shower (it's great for scraping glue off my hands). The inlay shrank and there is now a gap on either side of the handle. What is the best way to fill said gap? Thanks!

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CA glue can be worked with to fill gaps...color matching is going to be the struggle, maybe? Won't re-hash the CA thing specifics here, but lots of Youtube if you look for "wood filler CA glue" that can turn out great. Good luck!
 
I might try JB Weld. It's sandable and the finish color would blend well.
 
I keep a bottle of black rubberized super glue on the bench. It is a wonder for filling gaps like yours.

Starbond makes it in black, brown, white, and clear. A set of each is a good thing to have on the bench.
 
Work some very fine powdery sawdust into the gap making it a bit proud of the top. put a few drops of CA glue (liquid, not gel) on the sawdust so that it soaks through. If that brings the sawdust below the top sprinkle a bit more on and add another drop of glue. It won't harden instantly. let it cure for 24 hours then sand it off. If you need some sawdust give me a shout, I've got a bunch.

Another option would be to cut some strips of brown paper (like what they use as packing material) and slide them into the gap using enough to make a pretty tight fit. Make the paper strips large enough so that they're proud of the handle by 1/4" or so. Put some liquid CA glue on the edges of the paper so that it runs down the paper into the gap. You don't need a lot, it soaks through pretty quickly and this method avoids a lot of overrun cleanup. Let cure 24hrs and sand.

Eric
 
cleaning the schmutz out first is probably the most important step
 
When I have had a gap on a folder handle at the bolster, I run a jewelers saw with a #3 -r #4 blade down the gap and do the same on the other side. Then I slip a piece of thin vulcanized liner in the slot on both sides and use thin CA glue. It leaves a nice even and thin color band. If the liner won't fit, I use a thicker blade or sand down the liner material.
 
I decided to let it ride, since this has just been around my neck all this time. And how weird is this: The gaps mostly "filled themselves". I guess the summer heat made the wood swell. 🤣

It's still there but it's almost imperceptible to the unaided eye.

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