fixing alignment after epoxy is set

H

HSC ///

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Nov 7, 2012
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In gluing up a hidden tang, I had a problem with alignment and I'm a hair off, but it's off.
The blade centerline to handle centerline is slightly rotated off
The handle is stag. The epoxy is well cured

any possible solution to straightening the alignment out at this point?

thanks
 
Reshape the handle? Pics?
You could flatten the handle on both sides evenly with blade direction and then add material and reshape?
Never done this, just talking out of ass. Good luck!
 
Theoretically, you can warm it just enough to move it, but I'd want a second opinion.
Why not call the tech guys at the manufacturer? I've learned some really interesting stuff by talking to the troubleshooters at West Marine.
 
elementfe said:
Theoretically, you can warm it just enough to move it, but I'd want a second opinion.
Why not call the tech guys at the manufacturer? I've learned some really interesting stuff by talking to the troubleshooters at West Marine.
Click to expand...

good idea, never even thought of that
 
elementfe said:
Theoretically, you can warm it just enough to move it, but I'd want a second opinion.
Why not call the tech guys at the manufacturer? I've learned some really interesting stuff by talking to the troubleshooters at West Marine.
Click to expand...

their response -

"No, once the product has cured that’s it you can't move it. You would have to remove the product and break the bond somehow."

Regards,

Inside Technical Sales Representative "
 
You can remove it, but not move it. Once epoxy reaches around 250F, it starts to break down.

You can warm the blade with a heat gun or torch. Keep it below 400F. I wrap a damp towel around the handle if i am trying to save it ( as woiuld be the case with your stag). As the blade heats up, the heat goes up the tang and will eventually break down the epoxy from the inside. Pull and twist of the handle every so often. You will feel it as the epoxy breaks down. When it is hot enough, you can pull the tang out. Drill out all the old epoxy from the stag befor remounting.
 
Personally, I think heating or freezing would probably damage the stag first.

Maybe drilling many small diameter holes around the tang until you can break it free and start over would be the least destructive.

My 2 cents worth.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
I have removed at least half a dozen blades from stag handles doing the process I described. As long as the stag stays below 150-200F it is fine. I have even heated the stag with a heat gun on through tang handles when something was wrong with the alignment. The stag did fine once removed.

I have tried freezing epoxy and never found it would work for hidden tang knives. It does work with full tang handles. I don't think it will hurt the stag, though ( the antlers out in the shop sit in the freezing air all winter and are fine). Afterall, stag is just bone.
 
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