liners

G

GRapp

Joined
Nov 14, 2022
Messages
197
I'm going to use some on my next handle. I watched some utube videos on doing it. Seems pretty simple. Glue the liners to the scales then work them as one piece. However, one guy was clamping the life out of them to dry. I question that because too much pressure seems like it would squeeze out some of the glue that is needed in between. Am I wrong? Any other common mistakes I may stumble on?
 
I just use the cheap squeeze clamps you might find at HF. I'd say the pressure is heavy snug. 4 clamps per scale. (8 total)

After the knife fastener holes are drilled, I trace the tang on the scale/liner combo and then drill small holes INSIDE that perimeter. I keep them towards the center. I drill through the liner and into the main material of the scales.

Don't get too close to the edge. Don't drill too deep, or they will poke through when shaping the handle after glue up.

The reason for the holes, is more surface area for the epoxy. Also wipe clean the tang and surface of the scales, I use isopropyl, before glue up
 
GRapp said:
Thanks, sounds like a tighter clamp than I expected. Good call on the extra holes.

Anyone ever use brass liners?
Click to expand...

Yes, but you have to be Crazy careful so they don't heat up and ruin the glue bond.

I had to rehandle a knife because of it.

I wouldn't recommend it for beginners

Plus you have to be careful, it adds a Bunch of weight, it will change your balance
 
GRapp said:
I'm going to use some on my next handle. I watched some utube videos on doing it. Seems pretty simple. Glue the liners to the scales then work them as one piece. However, one guy was clamping the life out of them to dry. I question that because too much pressure seems like it would squeeze out some of the glue that is needed in between. Am I wrong? Any other common mistakes I may stumble on?
Click to expand...
Make sure you scuff them up good before gluing.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Plus you have to be careful, it adds a Bunch of weight, it will change your balance
Click to expand...
This is very important to consider. I have a nice damascus shop knife that I use only for cutting sandpaper for hand sanding that was supposed to be a steak knife but the brass liners I used made it really handle heavy.
On the plus side, when it drops or falls off a table, it always lands butt down.

I suppose it could be done if you drill a lot of holes in them to reduce the weight.
 
weo said:
This is very important to consider. I have a nice damascus shop knife that I use only for cutting sandpaper for hand sanding that was supposed to be a steak knife but the brass liners I used made it really handle heavy.
On the plus side, when it drops or falls off a table, it always lands butt down.

I suppose it could be done if you drill a lot of holes in them to reduce the weight.
Click to expand...

Bet it looks Amazing, though....
 
GRapp said:
Thanks, sounds like a tighter clamp than I expected. Good call on the extra holes.

Anyone ever use brass liners?
Click to expand...
As others have said, they add a lot of weight so drill holes in them or hollow them out to lighten them up. Also, dry fit them and grind them to the profile before glue up to keep from overheating your epoxy. You can cook your glue in a second if you’re not careful. A mist system while shaping your glued handles helps if you’re using something temperature sensitive.
 
What's the advantage of gluing the liners to the scales first? By that I mean why not adhere blade, liner, & scale all at once?
 
GRapp said:
What's the advantage of gluing the liners to the scales first? By that I mean why not adhere blade, liner, & scale all at once?
Click to expand...
They’re easier to drill and shape and it also allows you to finish the front of the scales and liners as one piece. It’s also honestly easier to glue them to the handle with fewer moving pieces. I cut all my handle material into standard size pieces, scuff, and glue up color combos that myself and customers like and have them ready to go. I generally have 20-30 sets ready to use.
 
Yep, like ScarFoot said. I glue up scales and liners first. Cut to approximate size and drill holes for the pins. Then a couple pins through the scales without the blade, and sand profile and finish the front of the scales up to a polish. When I glue them up on the blade, I masking tape off the front of the scales, and the blade, so there's less than 1/16" metal/bolster showing. When I have everything glued up and spring clamped, I take Qtips and clean the squeeze out epoxy several times at the joint. If you do it right, the only clean up you might have to do is a razor blade to carefully trim the joint square and clean.
 
I almost always glue them up separately. If the separate pieces are clamped and drilled properly. The pieces can be pinned and assembled (no blade) and the front of the scales sanded a polished as one piece.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I just use the cheap squeeze clamps you might find at HF. I'd say the pressure is heavy snug. 4 clamps per scale. (8 total)

After the knife fastener holes are drilled, I trace the tang on the scale/liner combo and then drill small holes INSIDE that perimeter. I keep them towards the center. I drill through the liner and into the main material of the scales.

Don't get too close to the edge. Don't drill too deep, or they will poke through when shaping the handle after glue up.

The reason for the holes, is more surface area for the epoxy. Also wipe clean the tang and surface of the scales, I use isopropyl, before glue up
Click to expand...
good explanation. similar to what I do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top