Handle repair

Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
207
I bought a 12" Ang Khola BLEM with buffalo horn handle from Uncle Bill some months ago. It had a small crack in the handle when it arrived. No problem, as such flaws are expected on a discounted BLEM.

A couple weeks ago the knife got dropped on a hard surface floor, and landed "handle first" in the verticle position. The crack has now perforated the entire length of the handle in one fairly straight line. The knife was not abused through hard use of any type, and the crack just seemed to grow more and more as days went by (kinda like a car windshield).

Before I go crazy and start adding super glue, electricians tape or other methods in attempts to try to repair the crack, are there better ways to go about this?

The handle is still functional, but I worry about future use. How tough is buffalo horn? Can do-it-yourself methods keep it intact? Or, should I expect that the handle will have to be replaced sometime in the near future? Who does repairs?

Thanks guys!
 
If it is a user, just lightly add super glue with multiple coats and don't worry about it. I hand a cracked handle for a year or more and it's still going strong. Of course if it is mostly for show, definitely contact Terry for a repair.

:) Sam
 
If you are worried that it will come apart on you as a result of work stress, You can:

1.wrap with leather, or sew leather over the horn
2. wrap with grip tape or the cloth-like tape you use on hockey sticks
3. Bind with wire
4. My fave -- remove handle and replace with stacked leather handle like on the KaBar USMC knife.

Keith
 
If the crack is full depth, so much the better. Go down to the Dollar store and get about 6 tubes ( 3 to a pack ) of superglue. Then squeeze in one tube, tilt back and forth to get into the bolster and buttcap, add another, until the laha gets thoroughly saturated. The superglue literally melts and penetrates the laha and it sets back up far tougher. It ended up taking me 4 or 5 tubes to fill a very large full length crack on me 30 inch. In addition, I found out it was a two piece handle fitted together behind the rear ring that had dried and shrunk in Nevada's low humidity. It's set up for over a week now, so I'll start sanding it back to shape ( taking the size down a bit to fit my hands better ) and recutting the rings. Then I expect I'll leave a thick coat of Bag Balm on it for a week or so. Then I might try varathane or laquer coat over the top, but maybe not.
 
GYMBOOEE,
If the crack isn't real wide the superglue will work. Epoxy will work on the wider cracks. I can make a new walnut handle for the 12" for $40+sh.
Justright,
Thanks for posting the link. The Sarki Shop website will be going through a facelift soon.
God Bless.
Terry Sisco
 
why, the old fashioned way -- you make it! all you need is some thick cow butt leather, then cut it into rough discs (circular or oval). Then you cut a hole (slightly smaller than the tang) in the center of each one to accept the tang. Then you start stacking and packing them onto the tang until you get to the last 1/4 inch. Then you peen the tang end onto the old buttcap. The you shape the leather handle as desired, stain, then brush on melted beeswax. The beeswax ( or paraffin, or a mix) soaks innto the pores and stabilizes the leather, and also assures a tight fit between all of the rings.

I did this style of handle for a Mora blade, and also as a repair to a long tang warsword. This handle is well nigh indestructable, will not crack or break, and is impact, cold, and water resistant. Also provides a secure and almost 'sticky' positive grip. Also, leather is easy to shape.

If you wan an even harder leather, ignore the wax treatment and use epoxy, superglue, or some other polymer sealant.

Keith
 
This is the most helpful forum I've yet visited. I've only posted here a handful of times in the past, but each time I am furnished with a wealth of information. I can't always say that about the other forums. You've all convinced me to show up here more often.
 
Back
Top