I recently won an eBay auction for a Western crscked ice fixed blade knife but it had a but of wobble in the finger guard. Can it be lightly hammered to make it tighter, or is there a different way to do it? I don't want to break something and ruin it. Thank you for any input
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Loose Finger Guard
- Thread starter Jtp1389
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afishhunter
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What model Western?
I'm not an expert, but I don't remember them making a knife with cracked ice or other synthetic handles.
They only used natural materials as far as I know. (ok, the "F" series "Black Beauty" knives had stacked aluminum and fiber washers) but the rest were wood, leather, or stag.
Maybe a previous owner rehandled it?
At any rate, is the play more rotational or fore/aft?
Is the guard tight against the handle or is there a slight gap?
My first thought is to use some epoxy to secure the guard to the tang and handle.
I would not hit it with a hammer.
I'm not an expert, but I don't remember them making a knife with cracked ice or other synthetic handles.
They only used natural materials as far as I know. (ok, the "F" series "Black Beauty" knives had stacked aluminum and fiber washers) but the rest were wood, leather, or stag.
Maybe a previous owner rehandled it?
At any rate, is the play more rotational or fore/aft?
Is the guard tight against the handle or is there a slight gap?
My first thought is to use some epoxy to secure the guard to the tang and handle.
I would not hit it with a hammer.
They made several different cracked ice models. This is the particular one I have. It's not marked with the model number, but I believe it to be a 39. The play is on the cutting side where the guard overhangs. I didn't know if it could be hammered (carefully) to make it a tighter fit
afishhunter
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Like I said, I'm not an expert on Western knives.They made several different cracked ice models. This is the particular one I have. It's not marked with the model number, but I believe it to be a 39. The play is on the cutting side where the guard overhangs. I didn't know if it could be hammered (carefully) to make it a tighter fit
I'd try an epoxy or maybe a little JB Weld forced in under and beside the guard, wherever there is a gap.
screened porch
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I'd go the epoxy route myself, though brass is soft and hammering might work.
Hickory n steel
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Could the model number be stamped into the guard ? Look down the blade at the guard.
As far as fixing the rattle, I'd use a little dab of gel super glue.
As far as fixing the rattle, I'd use a little dab of gel super glue.
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When I have fixed a loose guard, I have used strong sewing thread or thin fishing line like worn Berkley Fireline (0,12mm)+ Epoxy.
The line has been soaked in epoxy and turned arund the tang until the guard was tight.
The remaining gap has been filled with epoxy only.
After curing the epoxy and surplus line has been trimmed flush with the spacers.
Regards
Mikael
The line has been soaked in epoxy and turned arund the tang until the guard was tight.
The remaining gap has been filled with epoxy only.
After curing the epoxy and surplus line has been trimmed flush with the spacers.
Regards
Mikael