How do I repair antler scales?

E

ErikMB

Gold Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
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870
Hi Folks,

I just purchased a Maki Laguiole knife with deer antler scales. It is quite nice but there is a small defect I would like to try to fix.

There is a small gap between the metal wall and the antler scale. It is not bad but I would like to try to fix it before it gets any worse.

My first thought is to some how treat the antler so it becomes soft and bendable, place a small amount of epoxy in the gap and then press the antler tightly against the metal, wrap with rubber bands, and let it cure for a while.

Is this possible? How would I make the antler soft? And what kind of glue would connect the two surfaces without expanding too much.

Thanks for any advice y'all have for me.

Yours,

--Erik

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I think people are hesitant to reply because there is nothing broken that needs to be repaired. Its a natural material and it moves. Warming up the antler would warm up the glue (if there is any inside) and compromise the rest of the glue joint imho. Getting it off, flattening it and glueing and peening it again would probably solve it, if the material is "done" moving, but really not worth it.

If you really want to try something you could clean the gap, drip some CA glue and try to clamp it gently, it might work.
 
Thanks for the ideas. I'm not sure if it qualifies as broken or just a regular part of life. That's why I figured I could try tweaking it as opposed to rejecting it.
 
we do not know how precisely the scales were fitted. On closer inspection, also the other scale has space between steel and horn. If you add to this that it is a natural material that moves with temperature and humidity, I suggest you leave everything as it is.
 
Thanks for those answers, folks. I get really OCD with devices and objects, part of being a quality engineer, I guess. Sometimes I don't realize that something is not actually a problem. Let's see how this knife works and ages.
 
It just arrived. The knife is very strong and functional from an engineering point of view. Great stuff.

Artistically, the filing and scales could use a little refinement but they're not so bad.

No need to "fix" this. Thanks for all of your support, though, folks!
 
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