How to properly coat a wrap?

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
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Hello! My Magic Knot Knife project is almost a wrap. I say almost, because I need help on the wrap! HAHA! Anyways, how do I properly coat a wrap with epoxy? I think the best way for me to do my wrap on the blade is to do the "under-wrap" as shown on Running Dog's web site. Do I run the wrap through epoxy and then wrap it and clean up the epoxy, or do I wrap the handle and then apply the epoxy somehow?

Thanks for the advice. I sure am proud of the work I have done, and I'm sure my FAVORITE customer will be too :D
 
Hey Crayola...

My best advice is to get yourself some flux brushes from the hardware store...You know what they look like? Little stiff brushes found in the plumbing department and used to work flux while soldering pipe...

Anywho, pick up some of those and some thin builders epoxy, the kind used to seal concrete and fix wood rot...

Make yourself a stand to hold your knives upright, I use a cardboard box full of foam peanuts with a weight inside...Use your knife to make some holes in the top...

Do your flat wrap and make sure it's tight...The choice of cord is up to you...I hold the knife with a paper towel wrapped tight around it to keep it clean...Tape the edge to protect it and yourself...

Needless to say this all works better at 70 degrees than 50...Move into the house if it's too cold in the shop...

Mix up some of the epoxy in a little paper cup...Use the flux brush to work it into the cordwrap...After brushing it a little, most of the epoxy will work into the cord and the surface will look a little dry, wet but not thick with epoxy...Give it a minute...Do a neat job and you won't have to do any clean up of epoxy on your blade...

I start at the front and try to not make a mess...Working the middle is a little faster, just work it in going back and forth with the wrap...When I get to the lanyard end or terminus, I add a little extra dab of epoxy right where the cord ends to lock it in...IMO, this is better than "dipping" the blade and uses much less of the expencive epoxy...

When you are done, put the blade into your stand and place in a dry, dust free area...After a few hours, you can use some actone to clean up any stray epoxy...Don't use too much epoxy in the first place or it will run down onto the blade...Check it several times the first day but be careful to keep your fingers off of the wrap...

I'd give it several days to dry hard...This is an important tip if you want to make Concealex or Kydex sheaths for the knife...Otherwise the sheath will rub the still soft cord and make it look worn before it's time...

The advantage to this style is that the texture of the cord is retained and not "glossed over" with the epoxy...By working it in with the brush you will seal the steel underneath the wrap as well...

Also this wrap can be taken off with a little bit of work...Cut into the cords at some point with a small sharp diagonal cutter, and simply unwind the cord, clean the blade with acetone and start over...


There, now you have the secret of the Running Dog cordwrap...Use this knowledge wisely, Grasshopper...:D

Running Dog
 
I shall do as you say, master! My wrap is actually mot against steel, but I think I can adapt your instructions easily to do what I need. I'll get some of that good epoxy this week-end and get to it. Thanks SOOOOOOOOOO much, you sure have helped.
 
I havn't figured out why epoxy is used. Never tried it though either. Does it get soaked up in the medium it used on, or does it just coat it? I guess I allways just figured it would be to messy and to thick to be absorebed into whatever you are useing it on. I use plain ol' super glue. Soaks into the cord all the way through. Allot less hassle. Either that or cler laqure from a spraycan.
 
Please tell me more about superglue! My wrap is made of embroidery thread knotted into cord. Will superglue work o.k.? How should I apply it?
 
you guys be careful with super glue. It does contain cyanide.

If you are using more than a small amount be sure you have proper ventilation.
 
Glad you got in here with that Eric, forgot to mention that part.:o
All I do with the super glue is get the knife handle wrapped 100%. Tape the knife blade off and use the glue right out of the bottle or tube. Just squeeze it on in sections untill no more will be soaked up in that section and wipe the remaining glue that hasn't soaked up down into the next section, and so on. After it has dried I take a torch and go over the whole handle with brisk strokes so as not to set the handle on fire for too long. Why do this? Well, theres no wiping down of the frizzies that are on the wrap, and when it is all soaked up with hardened super glue those frizzies are kinda uncomfortable. THE HANDLE WILL KATCH FIRE THOUGH! No matter how hard you try to keep it from happening it will still katch fire, but all you need to do is blow it out. After you have blown it out take it in hand (it'll be warm) and squeeze it all over to help mat it down. I do it a few times to make shure all the frizzies are gone or smooshed to a comfortable level. As you can guess this method doesn't work with anything other than black. White cord will have little specks (burned frizzies) immbeded in the wrap. Doesn't look good when done.:barf: Back to what Eric said. A chemical reaction takes place when you are using the the glue on fabrick. Ever get a drop of super glue on your jeanes and have it start to smoke and end up giving you a burn on your leg? Same thing here with handle wrapping. I recomend using rubber gloves to handle the knife while you are using the glue. This way your fingers won't come in contact with the reaction and burn your fingers. Yes I found out the hard way.:eek:
Also as Eric stated do this in a well ventilated area. The chemical reaction lets off a little cloud of smoke (cyanide). It will burn your eyes, your nose, and your lungs. Wear safty glasses, rubber gloves and if not in a well ventilated area a mask.
Be safe.
Damn! After reading what I just typed, I may try epoxy now!:eek:
 
Hello again Crayola, good luck with your projects...

folderVSfixed: I prefer the epoxy over superglue because I think it's tougher and it's cheaper...We use a lot of it!

Penetrating epoxy is a thin, 24 hour epoxy...Soaks into cordwraps with no problem...I use the flux brush to work it into and between the cords...This allows me to use the brush to work down any "fuzzies" without having to use a blowtorch:eek:!

If you use the right amount, the cordwrap becomes dryer after a minute as the epoxy soaks into the cords...This helps leave the normal texture of the cords and doesn't leave them hard or "glossy"...They will be sealed to the weather yet have some "spring" left in them...You will have to play with this to determine the right amount of epoxy for the cord you use...

Superglue is OK as is spray acrylic...Pine pitch works in a pinch, but epoxy may be the easiest to work with for most folks...:)

FYI, our cordwrapping webpage shows both a flat wrap, in this case used as an underwrap and a diamond (crossover) wrap...

http://runningdogknife.homestead.com/cordwrap.html

Yours,
Running Dog
 
Crayola, I use super glue myself. I have used epoxy but much prefer the more natural finish super glue achieves. The good thing with super glue is the penetration it achieves (and of course the speed it dries). One cool side affect of the super glue is that with the wrap I use, with a little bit of handling, the handle wrap takes on an aged appearance. This contrasts nicely with the semi-glossy finish of the stingray underneath. Yes I soak the stingray as well. Don't use too much. If you get any white oxidation on the handle from the super glue fumes, just wipe a tiny bit of saddle oil (or equivalent) over the white part. If you are using something other than black cord, such as red or white, you will definitely lose the brightness of the color. The cord will be the same color it is when it is wet. Found out the hardway that it looks like ****. You may want to try coating your underwrap with epoxy and your overwrap with super glue. This would give you a semi-gloss underlay with a matte finished wrap. That would look cool. Hope this helps, sorry to be long winded.

Hugh
 
All of this is fantastic info!

I think I'll leave the superglue for another project. My wrap is a different sort of wrap. I wanted to do something different from what I have seen out there, and I think I have accomplished that. Trouble is, different brings with it a whole set of problems! I'm going to a great tool store this week-end, so finding that penetrating epoxy should be easy.

By the way, I'm wrapping agains G-10, so fire is definitely not an option! And I thinkt he epoxy will be easier to clean up. Running Dog, thanks again for your tutorial. I am using your uunderwrap as the one and only wrap on the handle, and I think it will look good (you'll have to see th eknife to see how good it looks: pics will be out soon). If it wasn't for your tutoeial, I'd still be scratching my head!

By the way Hugh, if you have a change today, pelase e-mail me. I'm headed to Cow Town tomorrow, and maybe I can call you and say hi!
 
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