Marbles Woodcraft Handle Fix Help

F

Figsy

Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Messages
11
Hello All,

I was hoping to get a little advice. I purchased this '98 Marbles Woodcraft and as you can see in the photos the leather portion of the stacked handle is able to move all in one piece up and down around the tang when I grip it a certain way. It is a tight fit between the upper and lower spacers, but the leather as a group can still move. I was thinking of putting the knife in a vise and gently removing the pommel and spacers next to the pommel and filling the void inside the leather washers by injecting the void with glue or epoxy. Then I would put it all back together and let it cure. When the leather washers are in the aligned position as shown in the photo, the alignment is perfect. I am hoping this would fill the void and give a stable grips where nothing moves. What are your thoughts and does anyone have advice? Respectfully, Figsy.

https://imgur.com/a/YnF6USH
 
What you are suggesting should work. It looks like something was not done properly in the first place. Epoxy or a shim or 2 should fix it. Good luck.
 
Thanks donnord. Do you have any recommendations on a glue or epoxy? Preferably something I can use in a syringe that I can get into that small void tp fill it up while still on the tang.
 
Interesting. I have two from the same era, when Mike Stewart was there, a Campcraft and a Fieldcraft, both in 52100. The leather grips on mine are still solid -- I treated them with SnowSeal when I got them. I wonder if yours dried out and shrank a bit. I'd be leery in injecting glue or epoxy. Maybe some sort of leather balm that would penetrate the grip and swell it somewhat would work. I'd avoid oils that would soften the leather, though.
 
Thanks Alberta Ed, I am surprised it is like that from a Mike Stewart era Marbles. I think donnord is right, it just wasn't done right at the start. There is too much movement to be from shrinking, seems it wasn't put together with enough epoxy applied to the inside of the leather washers on the tang. I guess my next step is to modify a screwdriver to remove the pommel nut. I need to fill the void on the inside of the leather to solidify things, I'll try and report back with pictures. Thanks for your responses.
 
Figsy said:
Thanks donnord. Do you have any recommendations on a glue or epoxy? Preferably something I can use in a syringe that I can get into that small void tp fill it up while still on the tang.
Click to expand...

Buy a cheap screwdriver and cut a slot in the middle to take off the tang nut, take the entire handle assembly apart, coat the tang in G-Flex epoxy and carefully put the handle pieces and tang nut back on, immediately and thoroughly wiping off any epoxy squeeze-out with paper towels.
 
Thanks for tip on the G-Flex, I was wondering what to use. I just tried my Ruger Clamp Screw Bit from Brownells, it fits perfect. (part# 080430435)
 
Get the handle in proper position and tape it there with masking tape.
Shim the tang with toothpicks or whatever works to hold the handle in the exact proper position.
THEN slowly dribble the epoxy down the tang.
If you don't do it this way, you will have to refinish the entire handle-not something you want to have to do!
 
Great info, thank you all. I will get the slightly thinner G-Flex 650 and dribble is in with a plastic syringe.
 
Hi All,
I am going to try the fix this weekend. Assuming all goes well, once everything is cured and solid, how should I treat this Marbles stacked leather periodically to preserve it, especially if used? Wondering what was done at the factory. Beeswax and a low speed buffing wheel?

https://imgur.com/a/YnF6USH
 
Figsy said:
Hi All,
I am going to try the fix this weekend. Assuming all goes well, once everything is cured and solid, how should I treat this Marbles stacked leather periodically to preserve it, especially if used? Wondering what was done at the factory. Beeswax and a low speed buffing wheel?

https://imgur.com/a/YnF6USH
Click to expand...
That’s what I would use. That or the blue compound wax. It’s gentle and does a high polish
 
Figsy said:
Hi All,
I am going to try the fix this weekend. Assuming all goes well, once everything is cured and solid, how should I treat this Marbles stacked leather periodically to preserve it, especially if used? Wondering what was done at the factory. Beeswax and a low speed buffing wheel?

https://imgur.com/a/YnF6USH
Click to expand...
I treat my stacked leather grips with SnowSeal, which is basically beeswax.
 
Thank you. Do you heat and melt the beeswax first when applying it to the leather handle then buff after it dries?
 
Figsy said:
Thank you. Do you heat and melt the beeswax first when applying it to the leather handle then buff after it dries?
Click to expand...
Warm your handle with a hair dryer til it feels warm, not hot and apply. Let dry and wipe off excess. The warm handle will warm the wax and allow you to apply.
 
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