Keep CA off tang

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Brian.Evans

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Aug 20, 2011
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How do I keep the CA off the tang while I finish the wood scales? I'd like to do a CA finish, but I just can't figure out how it would work. Thanks all.
 
Try some fingernail polish remover on a scrap piece. Works with epoxy, might work with CA also.
 
I guess maybe I should have asked what finish I should use.......I kind assumed CA would be a decently easy finish, I've done it on razor scales. However, I've done epoxy too. Would that be easier? Knife making is a totally new thought process for me.....
 
As far as I am concerned, whatever finish I use is IN the wood...not ON it.

When doing a CA finish, it should be applied, rubbed in with acetone, and sanded off repeatedly until the surface is completely impregnated and all pores and grain are sealed . The tang will wipe clean with the acetone and sand bright with the papers. After the last coat, I sand to 2500 grit, which should leave a perfect metal surface on the tang. A quick buff is all that is needed...if needed at all.

You used two words that don't often go together when finishing things - decent and easy.
A decent finish takes time and work.....an easy/quick finish is rarely a decent finish.
 
Not to hijack but could you kind folks explain "CA finish" to me? I am thinking you are talking about rubbing cyanoacrylate into the surface...but not sure and if so explain the use of acetone to rub it in.
Thanks,
Jim
 
I guess I don't find a CA finish really difficult, just time consuming. Quick it is not. Also very smelly. I don't understand the use of acetone to rub it in either. Can you explain?
 
CA dries too fast to be effectively rubbed in. The acetone extends the drying time and also thins it and allows it to penetrate deeper into the wood, therefore making it a more effective finish. I agree with Stacy, I rarely use CA. I find that using tung oil(4 ish coats) let sit for about ten minutes and wipe off excess, then finish sand to 2500 and use paste wax on a scrap os denim to hand buff produces a great finish for me....Plus i dont glue my fingers together.
 
Does the tung oil plus wax bring out the structure of the grain? I am going to be using claro burl on the scales, so it will need to be sealed. Do I seal the pores with a tung oil sanding slurry? Sorry for all the questions. Answers lead to more questions. :)
 
Sorry, not trying to tell you what to do lol. If the scales are on the knife, tape off the blade at the bolster junction and then do the CA. that will keep most of the CA off the ricasso. After you are finished, carefully remove tape and clean up the junction area with the acetone. Just take your time and be careful and it should look nice when finished.
 
Tung oil hardens a bit in the pores, sealing it in a way. Also the wax is hand rubbed into the pores, i start with tung oil, wipe on a good amount, let sit for 10 min, wipe off extra and let sit for a few hours...then i repeat this usually 4 or 5 times to make sure i get real thorough penetration. The wax seals the surface and makes a good barrier for the natural oils in your hands....Plus buffed it is super shiny.
 
I like high gloss finishes, but I have my reservations with using it on a moderate use knife, just because it most likely will be more slippery than a satin finish. I must, however, have a completely smooth surface. I can't stand walnut that still shows pores. I think those two goals might be antagonistic. Will tung oil completely fill the pores and make the grain smooth?
 
I think he's talking about keeping the CA off the tang of a full tang knife. It would seem the options are to scrape/peel it off after it has dried or leave it on. It does peel off nicely with a little razor blade help.

OK, how do you mix the acetone and the CA? Let me take a blind guess: Pour a few drops acetone in a metal bottle cap with the rubber removed then add a couple drops of CA, mix with a toothpick then paint it on with a q-tip? Not sure that I understand the rubbing portion, though. Capillary action should suck the CA/acetone mixture into the tracheids of the wood.
 
I'll post a link to Bruce Bump's great CA handle finishing tutorial this evening. It might be in the stickies,too?
 
Thank you gentlemen. I think, after looking a bit, that I will just use Tru-oil or tung oil. I'm not sure I want the look of CA on this knife.
 
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