First knife

A

agita

Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
19
Hi, I'm a blacksmith making his first knife. Its been a slow process but I'm trying to finish it now.

My problem is,..... I drilled holes for pins and then drilled small indents into the bottom of the scales to get more surface area. I epoxy'd both sides well (what I thought was well), but half way through the shaping process they broke loose and are hanging on the pins. (they barely shift but its enough to make me want to burn an orphanage down)

Sadly I have red locktite on the pins and I don't really want to start over. Is there any chance of using something like superglue or epoxy in the tiny crack between the tang and the scales?

I've learnt my lesson and will go for broke on the epoxy next time. I'll buy the best there is.

All Ideas are appreciated. Thank you.
 
What handle material are you using? Also, you might be served better posting this in the knife makers section.

I know for a fact that there are at least 3 makers on this forum that live within 30 mins of you. I used to live in Asheville so I recognize all of the surrounding areas, and I have dealt with a couple of them. They are great people, that might be willing to teach you a few things.
Good Luck
 
I think there's only one way to go if You want a good result.
That is to start allover again.

Instead of pins I prefer Corbybolts or Loveless screws.
Using both Corby's and epoxy gives both a mechanical and chemical bond.
That's hard to beat!

A coarse grit pattern on both the tang and the scales helps to give the epoxy a good grip.
When I use industrial packages of epoxy, I use electronic scales to get the right weightmix of epoxy and hardener.

My main source on epoxyknowledge comes from the Gougeon brothers and their W.E.S.T. method.
They work mainly with boats, but the tech stuff are also useful in knifemaking.


Regards
Mikael
 
I was just there in knifemakers I've gotten lost somehow and thought I was in knifemakers general discussion. My apologies, If a mod sees this feel free to move it. I'll try not to make the mistake again.


I make mosaic damascus and normally just sell the bars. This is my first go on a knife. I specialize in axes.

@egally08 . Tulipwood is what I'm using.


@Mikael W . I used threaded mosaic screws. and used System 3 T88 epoxy. My ignorance is shown by the lack of knowledge of electronic scales (I'll consult my friend google). I may just Start again like you suggest it makes complete sense! :-( I was just hoping for an effective workaround. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
agita said:
Hi, I'm a blacksmith making his first knife. Its been a slow process but I'm trying to finish it now.

My problem is,..... I drilled holes for pins and then drilled small indents into the bottom of the scales to get more surface area. I epoxy'd both sides well (what I thought was well), but half way through the shaping process they broke loose and are hanging on the pins. (they barely shift but its enough to make me want to burn an orphanage down)

Sadly I have red locktite on the pins and I don't really want to start over. Is there any chance of using something like superglue or epoxy in the tiny crack between the tang and the scales?

I've learnt my lesson and will go for broke on the epoxy next time. I'll buy the best there is.

All Ideas are appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

If you carefully heat the pins with a soldering iron tip, that red locktite will loosen enough for you to punch the pins out.

For your first knife (and every one after that), don't go for the easy solution. That will just take you down the road to poor quality. Do it right the first time.
 
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