Glue up

[HDCutlery]

So I'm going on just under a year of making knives and I'm to the point I want to start using the "big boy" glues. I currently use Loctite 60 min slow cure since it's convenient and does a decent job as an all purpose epoxy. Now before anyone links it I have already gone over the glue wars though find it somewhat botched since no pins were used as there would be in a handle I would be making. I would just like to know what you ladies and gents recommend as well as the pros and cons of said products. Thank you for reading - Brian

 

[Stark Knives]

I and a ton of other people use West System's G-Flex. Haven't had any problems with it yet.

 

[HDCutlery]

I've heard good things and am considering that and Acraglass to be the ones I test. I know some swear by glues with a kicker. Does anyone have experience with these?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

System Three T-88, and West System G-flex. You would be hard pressed to find a resin easier to get and stronger for our needs. Shelf like is excellent, too.

For those who want another very strong choice, the two jar 24 hour resin Ken sells at K&G is also superb. I used it for years before switching to T-88, and more recently trying G-flex. I still think I prefer T-88 the most.

To get professional results, the resin should match the wood. I have found the powder dyes that K&G sells the best for this. Just a knife tip of dye will color a batch of resin. A jar will last a very long time. Blending colors can match most any wood or liner. I stock black, white, tan, blue, green, and red. Of those, I have only had to replace the black and tan. The others are still the original jars from many years ago.

 

[HDCutlery]

That is a very good point. I plan on holding off on using any type of G10 liners until I get my air filtration up and running. Now I'm curious on the consistency of the G-flex as I like to minimize runout if at all possible

 

[The Gopher]

I use T-88 and haven't had any issues.

 

[iBlade]

I use west system just the standard 105 and 205, does the job very well.

 

[scott.livesey]

i think surface preparation and cleanliness is at least as important as brand name. products from West, Raka and others are formulated to hold boats together and keep windmill blades from breaking and airplanes from falling out of the sky. find a product that suits your needs as far as cure time, cure temperature, working time, viscosity, aroma, and dried appearance. more than likely Loctite sells the same brand you are using in 55 gallon drums for commercial use, they are not going to make a product that could fail and cause death or injury.
scott

 

[psychophipps]

As a person that worked at the interior plant for a major yacht manufacturer I can say that any of the good marine epoxies will do very well for your purposes. We used to joke that if a boat went down the owner could at least salvage all of the cabinetry.
All joking aside, these materials all have "Cancer" listed as their main ingredient. Full respirators with good chemical filters during preparation, application, and definitely sanding is in order. The plant has to keep my employment records for 30 years by law, this stuff will get you if you're not careful.

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