Handle question

buddah · May 30, 2003

I have an old Marble's Ideal with a handle that has developed a little play over the years and the spacers at the front are quite loose. Is there an easy way to fix this? The guard is also loose and I was wondering if it is advisable to solder it. Thank you for any help you can provide. Buddah

george tichbourne · May 30, 2003

The guard was probably never soldered in the first place, in order to do it now you would have to remove tha entire handle assembly.

The quick fix is to go to the woodworking store and pick up one of those syringes for glue and a little 5 minute epoxy then inject some into the loose area. This will take out all of the slack including the guard play.

John Andrews · May 30, 2003

George offers a good solution for a really good fix. If you have more time, I'd use some Acraglas. It has an hour working time and is a permanent fix. I'm bias because I use the 'glas for all my work.If you use the 'glas gel it will make a decent gap filler, and the light honey color will be invisible when set up with the spacers. It even makes a great solderless attatchment for guards and bolsters as long as you use oilfree and clean joints that are roughed up a bit with rough sandpaper or something similar. I usually clean the joints with a solvent to remove any oil or contaminates before my gluing work as a step process, anyhow. Good luck with your fix job, guy.

simko · May 30, 2003

i think your names going to be taking some heat

Tom Krein · May 30, 2003

I would try tightening the tang-nut and then grinding off the excess tang until it is flush. Then you can consider sealing the leather with superglue or what ever else so that it does not shrink again. I would not worry about the gaurd, once the handle is tight again it will push the gaurd forward and should keep it from moving.

Tom

Mike Hull · May 30, 2003

Originally posted by Tom Krein
I would try tightening the tang-nut and then grinding off the excess tang until it is flush. Then you can consider sealing the leather with superglue or what ever else so that it does not shrink again. I would not worry about the gaurd, once the handle is tight again it will push the gaurd forward and should keep it from moving.

Tom

Exactly. And if it takes that special tool(spanner), just file a slot in a flat blade screwdriver and make it fit.

John Andrews · May 30, 2003

Yeah, what Tom and Mike said is what I didn't consider. Makes good sense, too.

canyonman · May 30, 2003

Or you can send it back to Marbles and for the cost of shipping they will totally recondition and sharpen your knife for you.

buddah · May 31, 2003

Thank you for the suggestions. I have some Acraglas on hand and will give it a try.