Inlay Adhesive Resilience

sailfish

sailfish

Joined
Jan 1, 2019
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After work at the end of the week I typically wipe my micarta inlay Sebenza down with paint thinner, degreaser, or alcohol. Sometimes it makes me wonder though, just how resilient is the adhesive method for the inlays? From what I believe they use some kind of 3M industrial double sided tape? I know it's supposed to be pretty tough stuff but has anyone ever had any experience with the bond weakening for whatever reason?
 
aengina said:
Just don't submerge it and you should be OK.
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That was kinda my thought. I wouldn't think that simply wiping the surface of the knife would ever get down inside the inlays enough to cause an issue like that but you never know.
 
I wonder about the effect of paint thinner or other solvents on the adhesive. I don't know how to check that other than by contacting 3M. Even if it can't easily get under the inlay, over time with repeated application it might.
 
The 3M tape CRK uses is the best of the best. I used it for years at another job. I used some to attach molding trim to a vehicle. It was still on there 10+ years later and never came off. The vehicle was never garage kept and was out in the elements all that time and never washed. ( wasn’t my vehicle....lol. ). But it’s good stuff. I would stick to the least evasive cleaner.
 
I happened to do a little more reading on VHB. It does have solvent and chemical resistant qualities. It also seems to be even tougher stuff than I originally thought. The inlay bond will probably outlast the blade. 3M apparently knows what they're doing.
 
sailfish said:
I happened to do a little more reading on VHB. It does have solvent and chemical resistant qualities. It also seems to be even tougher stuff than I originally thought. The inlay bond will probably outlast the blade. 3M apparently knows what they're doing.
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I've used it as well in manufacturing. Worst case. Epoxy would be a permanent fix.
 
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People are sometime too paranoid about Sebenzas. My Micarta 21 stayed soaking wet for two weeks on a camping trip. I wash it in the sink, and use windex on it if the inlays need cleaning. No problems. Water does not affect the VHB tape. I would not leave the knife sitting in paint thinner, but water is no issue.

Chris Reeve designed threes knives to work (hence the name). People treat them as more precious than they are.

For sure, if you have a nice graphic or a wood or mammoth inlay you treasure, keep it in a velvet-lined safe, and that’s fine. But a plain-Jane or Micarta inlayed Sebenza is meant to be rough handled. I heap a good amount of use/abuse on my wood inlayed CRK knives as well and also no issue, though the wood does dent and scratch more easily than the Micarta, which is basically bulletproof.
 
kidcongo said:
People are sometime too paranoid about Sebenzas. My Micarta 21 stayed soaking wet for two weeks on a camping trip. I wash it in the sink, and use windex on it if the inlays need cleaning. No problems. Water does not affect the VHB tape. I would not leave the knife sitting in paint thinner, but water is no issue.

Chris Reeve designed threes knives to work (hence the name). People treat them as more precious than they are.

For sure, if you have a nice graphic or a wood or mammoth inlay you treasure, keep it in a velvet-lined safe, and that’s fine. But a plain-Jane or Micarta inlayed Sebenza is meant to be rough handled. I heap a good amount of use/abuse on my wood inlayed CRK knives as well and also no issue, though the wood does dent and scratch more easily than the Micarta, which is basically bulletproof.
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My Sebenza definitely gets its share of work, hence the need to clean in it with industrial solvents. My concern was more the effect of those cleaning agents on the bond between the two materials rather than the materials themselves.
 
I've replaced several sets of inlays when I used to do service work. Nothing works better than a heat gun and the tip of an xacto blade to lift out the inlay. You should not have any issue lightly using mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to get gummy residue off your knife
 
Barry H said:
I've replaced several sets of inlays when I used to do service work. Nothing works better than a heat gun and the tip of an xacto blade to lift out the inlay. You should not have any issue lightly using mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to get gummy residue off your knife
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I don't think the OP wants his inlays to come off..
 
Barry H said:
I've replaced several sets of inlays when I used to do service work. Nothing works better than a heat gun and the tip of an xacto blade to lift out the inlay. You should not have any issue lightly using mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to get gummy residue off your knife
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Micarta or wood? And what got them to the point they needed replaced?
 
sailfish said:
My Sebenza definitely gets its share of work, hence the need to clean in it with industrial solvents. My concern was more the effect of those cleaning agents on the bond between the two materials rather than the materials themselves.
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What do you do that requires industrial solvents? I use my knives for most things. But most of the time studies show dish soap and water is about as good as it gets. Then alcohol for surface cleaning.


Otherwise I'd Reccomend NO inlays.
 
BellaBlades said:
What do you do that requires industrial solvents? I use my knives for most things. But most of the time studies show dish soap and water is about as good as it gets. Then alcohol for surface cleaning.


Otherwise I'd Reccomend NO inlays.
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Alcohol usually works but at some point I've had paint, drywall putty, pipe dope, refrigerant, oil, roof tar. That's just off the top of my head.
 
sailfish said:
Micarta or wood? And what got them to the point they needed replaced?
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They didn't "need" to be replaced: The owners wanted different material/

WD-40 or Goof-Off is a pretty decent choice for removing most crude without disrupting the 3M adhesive tape. Denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner are better for dried paint. If you use solvents, apply to a rag and wipe till crude is off. Do not submerge knife handles in a container of solvent.
 
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