Help with a stag handle

[Kevin Cross]

I just received a beautiful piece of stag and want to use it for a hidden tang knife. The problem is the marrow is pretty soft and easy to drill and I am concerned about long term blade stability. All of the other stag I have ever used has been very hard and solid. So what do I do??? Bake it till it is dry? Hollow it out and fill with epoxy?? Stabilize with hardener or super glue?? I'm open to your suggestions and expertise. Thanks Kevin

 

[A C Richards]

Take as much of the pith out as possible. then fill it in with epoxy. This will give you the most stable piece. You can also fill and stabilize the material but removing it is best imho.

Chuck

 

[Bruce Bump]

Take as much of the pith out as possible. then fill it in with epoxy. This will give you the most stable piece. You can also fill and stabilize the material but removing it is best imho.

Chuck

Chuck speaks the truth. I couldnt have said it better.

 

[deker]

If you wrap the tang with plastic wrap or something else to act as a release agent, you can pour your epoxy, stuff the tang in, and after it sets remove the handle and have a perfectly fitted handle to avoid re-drilling and fitting the handle to the tang if you want to do multiple fit-ups, etc.

-d