knife stand for applying finish to handles?

scott kozub

scott kozub

Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Messages
861
When applying finish to my handles I typically stick the knife in an egg carton so that I can apply the finish and the handle is free to dry without resting on anything. This allows me to do multiple knives at once and is cheap and easy to do on my kitchen table.

I'm curious what others do and if there are any neat ideas out there for this?
 
I use magnetic strips that are stuck to my workbench table legs. I can run 10 to 12 knives on each strip. I have two set up.
 
I used to use a small cardboard box and stick the blades in it. It worked so-so, but was very unstable. Then I made a stand by screwing two 12" wood strips to the end on a 18" magnet bar. Just set it on any flat surface and you have a rock solid stand. It allows you to do knives and then pick the whole thing up and move it elsewhere to cure or wait for the next step. I made a second one with the magnet strip 8" above the work surface. I put down a piece of newspaper and set the stand on it. When doing hidden tang knives, I fill the handle with epoxy, insert the blade's tang, and when everything looks right, I set the butt of the handle on the newspaper and let the magnet hold the blade. I push down on the blade tip to make sure the fit is tight and let it cure a while. This keeps any epoxy from running out after I wipe the excess away. As it sets, I can gently take it off the magnet , wipe the handle and blade with alcohol, check for straightness and fit-up, and set t back to cure overnight.

Magnetic strips in other places around the shop hold blades and such during the various steps of completion. IMHO, you can't have too many magnetic strips and other magnet devices in a shop. I think the Navy Air Base near my home had to adjust their compasses to compensate for my shop. It also makes birds get off course in migration.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I used to use a small cardboard box and stick the blades in it. It worked so-so, but was very unstable. Then I made a stand by screwing two 12" wood strips to the end on a 18" magnet bar. Just set it on any flat surface and you have a rock solid stand. It allows you to do knives and then pick the whole thing up and move it elsewhere to cure or wait for the next step. I made a second one with the magnet strip 8" above the work surface. I put down a piece of newspaper and set the stand on it. When doing hidden tang knives, I fill the handle with epoxy, insert the blade's tang, and when everything looks right, I set the butt of the handle on the newspaper and let the magnet hold the blade. I push down on the blade tip to make sure the fit is tight and let it cure a while. This keeps any epoxy from running out after I wipe the excess away. As it sets, I can gently take it off the magnet , wipe the handle and blade with alcohol, check for straightness and fit-up, and set t back to cure overnight.

Magnetic strips in other places around the shop hold blades and such during the various steps of completion. IMHO, you can't have too many magnetic strips and other magnet devices in a shop. I think the Navy Air Base near my home had to adjust their compasses to compensate for my shop. It also makes birds get off course in migration.
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This might be a stupid question, but are you covering the magnet with something to protect the blade from being scratched on the strip? Or is the blade still wrapped at this point?
 
In handle assembly, the blades are usually wrapped with tape or in a sleeve. Even unwrapped, I never had an issue with the blades getting marred.

However, your thought is a good one. I suppose a strip of tape over the magnet would be a wise thing.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
In handle assembly, the blades are usually wrapped with tape or in a sleeve. Even unwrapped, I never had an issue with the blades getting marred.

However, your thought is a good one. I suppose a strip of tape over the magnet would be a wise thing.
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Thanks for the response. I guess I just get really anxious once I unwrap the blade....it’s funny because I make a full tang bushcraft knife that gets beat on the minute it reaches the customers hand, but before that I always worry about scratches. Gonna go pick up some magnetic strips.
 
I've un taped the blades when I'm finishing and I've never had a problem. Easier to see and wipe up any stray finish.
 
AVigil said:
You are much luckier then I.

I can finish a blade perfectly, be super cautious and still get a scratch from out of nowhere just before I am ready to send it out.
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I do run em back over the Scothbrite as a matter of course when all done with the finish but even still nothing glaring sticks out.
 
Outdoor Gear Dad said:
This might be a stupid question, but are you covering the magnet with something to protect the blade from being scratched on the strip? Or is the blade still wrapped at this point?
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I use magnetic straps to hold most of my folder collection, I cover the magnets with a strip of electrical tape:thumbsup:
Screenshot_20201113-171202_Photos~2.jpg
 
One additional comment:
Anyone who uses magnet bars to hold blades, or grinding n=magnets when grinding them, needs a demagnetizer/degaussing coil.
 
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