Hey guys, i figured id post a little thread on how I fixed the handle on my blem sirupati..figured it may help others who want to have a go at fixing theirs. Its by no means the only way to do it, but its simple enough that almost anyone can have a go at it...
I will add as a disclaimer that I bought this sirupati knowing it was a blem. It was sold at a really awesome price, with the disclaimer saying the horn handle was cracked and would be a good candidate to make your own handle..so I was under no illusions as to what I was receiving. And IMO I got a real bargain
Anyway, onward, here is the crack as received
And another ding on the bottom of the handle. Hey, it all adds character!
I used a fast setting epoxy putty - one could spend more time then I did and find something suitable in a closer colour match..but im not bothered about that.
Anyway, i just mixed up my epoxy putty and forced it deeply into the crack..dont worry about using too much at this stage, Just clump it on there and use a small blade/toothpick or something similar to force it deeply into the crack;
Next, use a knife to shave off the excess epoxy (while its still soft)
Then give it a bit of a wipe with a wet rag to wipe off the excess and set it aside to cure..this stuff cures to hard enough to sand, drill or file etc in about an hour
After this you can either repeat, and put another layer of epoxy on if you still hanv't filled it in properly, or you can sand it down smooth. If you didnt bother (like I did) to find an epoxy that somewhat matches in colour then you can paint the crack or colour it in with a marker or something if your so included..im not going to bother.
I also fixed the chip out of the bottom, but havnt really cleaned it up at all yet..
Might post some pics of the complete knife, along with fixed handle a little later on.
The knife (short sword) is a real beauty...
I will add as a disclaimer that I bought this sirupati knowing it was a blem. It was sold at a really awesome price, with the disclaimer saying the horn handle was cracked and would be a good candidate to make your own handle..so I was under no illusions as to what I was receiving. And IMO I got a real bargain
Anyway, onward, here is the crack as received
And another ding on the bottom of the handle. Hey, it all adds character!
I used a fast setting epoxy putty - one could spend more time then I did and find something suitable in a closer colour match..but im not bothered about that.
Anyway, i just mixed up my epoxy putty and forced it deeply into the crack..dont worry about using too much at this stage, Just clump it on there and use a small blade/toothpick or something similar to force it deeply into the crack;
Next, use a knife to shave off the excess epoxy (while its still soft)
Then give it a bit of a wipe with a wet rag to wipe off the excess and set it aside to cure..this stuff cures to hard enough to sand, drill or file etc in about an hour
After this you can either repeat, and put another layer of epoxy on if you still hanv't filled it in properly, or you can sand it down smooth. If you didnt bother (like I did) to find an epoxy that somewhat matches in colour then you can paint the crack or colour it in with a marker or something if your so included..im not going to bother.
I also fixed the chip out of the bottom, but havnt really cleaned it up at all yet..
Might post some pics of the complete knife, along with fixed handle a little later on.
The knife (short sword) is a real beauty...
