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!

IMG_0391.jpeg
 
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!
 
Black super glue and sawdust from some African blackwood?
 
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.
 
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