M43 handle issues

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killa_concept

Joined
May 19, 2009
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The horn scales seem to have shrunken over winter and the laha binding the scales to the metal is sort of cracking... it wasn't too much of an issue until I started chopping with it today. The scales now feel loose (not insanely so, but you can feel it move around slightly). How do I best remedy this issue? :confused:
 
I would just squeeze some two-part epoxy between the handles as best you can (the epoxy things with "needle" type injectors are great for that kind of thing), then very gently peen the pins with a hammer (a sledgehammer head makes a great anvil if you don't have an actual anvil) until the scales are solid. Give the epoxy time to set, and it should be fine.
 
Ryan M said:
I would just squeeze some two-part epoxy between the handles as best you can (the epoxy things with "needle" type injectors are great for that kind of thing), then very gently peen the pins with a hammer (a sledgehammer head makes a great anvil if you don't have an actual anvil) until the scales are solid. Give the epoxy time to set, and it should be fine.
Click to expand...

That last part seems like it could potentially crack the horn handle - it's already done so from my trying to peen a small gap between the butcap and slab.. I was just lucky that it broke relatively cleanly and was easily glued back into place. I think I'll stick with wooden (possibly non-chiruwa) handles from now on :(
 
I would either go the epoxy route or try to get some superglue in there.
I wouldnt peen anything, but a little clamping may be necessary. That should do it.
 
Oh, I missed the "horn" part. I was thinking of wooden handles, sorry. Yes, glue only, then.
 
If it's a horn handle, try a little super glue applied CAREFULLY around the laha. For whatever reason, super glue sort of melts laha and mixes with it well. You also might try conditioning the horn again. "replumping" it might fix 90% of the issues.

If you have a feed store near you that caters to horses at all, get a product called Hooflex. It'll probably run you about $9 and will last you the rest of your natural life. This is a lanolin based product that they use on horse hooves to keep them from cracking. Moisturizing the horn might seal up a lot of your gaps:thumbup:
 
If you can't fix the problem then send it back to HI for replacement
 
Yangdu said:
If you can't fix the problem then send it back to HI for replacement
Click to expand...

Thats why you get my business....thanks Yangdu. I still consider one of my Kuks the best handforged tool I have ever owned.
 
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