How to fix a loose bolster/guard?

skkeeter

skkeeter

Joined
Nov 13, 2009
Messages
114
Sorry if this has been asked before. I don't have the search option available to me. knife repair newb here. My Bolster/guard has a wiggle on my Cattaraugus 225Q and actually rattles on the knife when shaken. The gap is probably the size of a razerblade's edge. I was thinking maybe force some epoxy in there to fill the gap, if possible. What do you guys recommend?
 
i think epoxy is your best bet, but also what is the source of the gap, because originally when the knfie was new it probobly didnt have it. so something must have moved or come off. and if you can figure out what happened you can most likeley reverse it.

but if not some epoxy would work NOT gorrila glue it foams and looks worse and could seep out.
 
snorkem said:
i think epoxy is your best bet, but also what is the source of the gap, because originally when the knfie was new it probobly didnt have it. so something must have moved or come off. and if you can figure out what happened you can most likeley reverse it.

but if not some epoxy would work NOT gorrila glue it foams and looks worse and could seep out.
Click to expand...

Well loctite make a new glue that they say is on pay with gorilla called Sumo Glue it's white, and it expands a 3rd less Gorilla.
If he applied the gorilla glue with a needle nose tip or a q-tip he might be able to put enough not to foam out of the bolster.
If it does foam he can sand it down.
 
What about a torch and some silver solder with a wet rag on the blade to soak up heat?

I know many guards are soldered on so it's got to be possible but never done it myself.
 
love mine:thumbup: chances are the leather has shrunk a bit and thats the cause. epoxy might work but you'd have to be careful not to get it anywhere ya didnt want to see it. You could also try swelling the leather a bit. Have you treated the leather with anything?
You could use
Neutral shoe polish
Snoseal
Mink oil (this one worked for me)
it didnt get rid of the rattle entirely though but i used it sparingly
i do notice that its less noticeable when i carry it doing my yard work, etc
maybe the humidity, sweat, etc
you should post some picts always nice to see another 225Q
all the best
ivan
 
Don't try to solder it with ther leather in place. You will burn the leather. Gorilla glue does not dry hard, so don't use it either.
I'm no leather expert, so find someone who is saddlery or cobbler- and ask them how to safely swell the leather. Once that is done, if you still have a gap you can epoxy a very thin piece of leather in. Cut out a thin washer of leather and split it so you can get it on the handle, press it in place.
 
snorkem said:
i think epoxy is your best bet, but also what is the source of the gap, because originally when the knfie was new it probobly didnt have it. so something must have moved or come off. and if you can figure out what happened you can most likeley reverse it.

but if not some epoxy would work NOT gorrila glue it foams and looks worse and could seep out.
Click to expand...

After closer inspection, the tang at the end of the knife (handle end) has slipped a bit into the pommel. I might try hammering the pommel back down the tang to compress the leather back down, thus eliminating the space between the blade and the bolster.
 
Maybe some kind of metal/wood/plastics powder with sperglue.
Pack the powder into the gap, then let superglue soaked into the gap.

Epoxy is hard to pack into gap.
Superglue only does not fill gap.
 
Didn't realize it was a leather handled knife so yeah the heat probably isn't a good idea unless you can take the leather off and then re-mount it. I'm not sure what the knife looks like so just throwing out ideas. Or I should say A idea.
 
Not my actual knife, just a pic of one,
83dc77d62755a7ec.jpg
 
skkeeter said:
After closer inspection, the tang at the end of the knife (handle end) has slipped a bit into the pommel. I might try hammering the pommel back down the tang to compress the leather back down, thus eliminating the space between the blade and the bolster.
Click to expand...

but the pommel on these are an interlocking deal (notice its not one piece) if i remember correctly so pounding on it may not solve the problem, then again maybe it will.
I would bet its still washer shrinkage, leather is gonna shrink some especially given the age and the use and misuse in its life:)
ivan
 
IVANKERLEY said:
but the pommel on these are an interlocking deal (notice its not one piece) if i remember correctly so pounding on it may not solve the problem, then again maybe it will.
I would bet its still washer shrinkage, leather is gonna shrink some especially given the age and the use and misuse in its life:)
ivan
Click to expand...

I used a piece of copper threaded tubing about 2" long, placing it on the top of the pommel while my knife was secured in a vise. This way, I'm pounding on the pommel, and not the blade tang. Sure enough, it compressed the leather back down and now there's no wiggle whatsoever. Will it stay this way, and not slip again? Only time and usage will tell. I've got 3 of these knives to compare, which is why I realized the whole handle had slipped up the blade tang. Thanks for the help guys.
 
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