My knifemaking might be over!

K

KFU

Part Time Knifemaker, Moderator
Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
4,255
Well, Ive run into a little snag. About a month ago I woke up one morning and both my eyes were swelled shut. I went to the doctor and they said it was an allergic reaction to something. I figured it was nothing and slammed Benadryl for three days and it went away. A week later the same thing happened so I started doing some research and read about people with similar symptoms that were allergic to Cocobolo. I had been using it a lot so I assumed that was it. My beautiful wife spent an entire day taking everything out of the shop, cleaning it off, wiped down the walls, etc. I gave all my Cocobolo away to a buddy so I was good to go! This time it lasted a couple days longer and was more severe. Well Friday night I got home from work and wanted to get some handles glued up so I could finish them over the weekend. Saturday morning I woke up for work and damned if my right eye was swollen and this time I had a rash, almost blisters, on both of my hands. Turns out I am allergic to epoxy. The specialist I went to said everyone is allergic to epoxy, it just takes different timeframes to show symptoms. I had ordered West Coast Gflex a month ago and that's what caused it. I had previously been using the epoxy from USA Knifemakers and never had an issue. I don't know if its just the gflex or if I will now have an issue with all epoxies. I will say that at first I was not overly cautious when using it. I wore latex gloves and always wear a respirator when Im in the shop. Ive learned that you pretty much are screwed no matter what precautions you take. The gases will penetrate latex, stay in the air for a week, and even cured epoxy isn't totally cured. Im now dealing with an ever spreading rash that itches like crap and is starting to blister up and Eyelids that will eventually crack open. It might be the end to my short knifemaking career. Be safe when using this stuff guys and keep your eyes open for the symptoms.
 
To clarify a bit, everybody is allergic to epoxy. If you are exposed to it, you become more allergic to it. so limit exposure to epoxy, and you wont develop an allergy to it.
Do it outside if possible where there is plenty of air circulation, and wear gloves.

but you know, people still managed to make knives before we had epoxy. Even plenty of modern knives like Esee, and Becker dont use epoxy.
look into alternatives.
 
Say it ain't it so Chris...but your health is first & foremost my friend. Wish nothing but the best for you. Get well soon!
 
Just screw the handles making them removalable for maintenance and repalcement, and raise your prices for the upgrade in handles:D, Take care of yourself dude.
 
Damn. I sure hope you are able to figure something out so you can keep providing us with your wonderful sharp things.
 
I know you better than that! You probably got some corbys on order already! Every one has obstacles in life, its what we do in the face of these obstacles, that determines who we are! Hows that for some morning chi!!
 
Epoxy can be nasty stuff, sorry to hear that you're having this issue. A few months ago I switched over to using Gorilla Poly glue as it holds right up there with the better epoxy and is easier to clean up. Though I trust poly glue, I still use a mechanical bond to back up the chemical bond provided by my adhesive of choice.

Regards,
Mike
 
Well to me, the great thing is you figured out what was causing the problem.
NOTHING is worse than being sick and not knowing why!
 
I hope you can find an alternative and keep doing what you love. I've heard good things about Gorilla glue... maybe worth a try (?).
 
Chris:
(1.)Take care of yerself.
(2.)Change glues.
(3.)Use screws or allen heads or balin' wire.
(4.)What doesn't kill us can only make us tougher.
(5.)Quit is a four-letter word.
(6.)I've looked way off inta the future, and frankly, I don't see it happenin'.
(7.)Rokkk on.
 
Chris, your health comes first. But as others have said, more than one way to skin a cat. If you're still concerned about the wood dust, look into other handle material. Take care of yourself. If I can help in any way give a yell. I'm just down the road.
 
It would be a huge loss if you could make knives anymore, that's for sure! Hang in there, I'm sure you'll figure something out.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the hidden dangers in the work shop!

I have two questions on this topic:

1. Are all Epoxies the same? I don't know what qualifies as an epoxy, but are there epoxies with different formulations that don't cause problems for knife makers?

2. I was told by a flute maker that there are other woods besides Cocobolo that cause allergies. Does anyone know which ones they are? We might as well cover more of the risks while we are on the topic.

Thanks,
Keith

www.100YearKnives.com
Handmade Custom Knives
email: 100YearKnives@gmail.com
phone: 424-241-2891 (call or text)
 
As someone who has dreamed about setting up a knife workshop and being literally on the cusp of getting started I really feel for you.

I do think that with ingenuity you can find a way around this and I hope you do.

I hope this obstacle doesn't stand in your way but often when faced with something like this it takes some time to sit back and re-assess the situation before you really know where things are at.

Its terribly bad luck for you and I hope you are well whatever you end up deciding for your future..
 
keithhblade said:
Thanks for the heads up on the hidden dangers in the work shop!

I have two questions on this topic:

1. Are all Epoxies the same? I don't know what qualifies as an epoxy, but are there epoxies with different formulations that don't cause problems for knife makers?

2. I was told by a flute maker that there are other woods besides Cocobolo that cause allergies. Does anyone know which ones they are? We might as well cover more of the risks while we are on the topic.

Thanks,
Keith

www.100YearKnives.com
Handmade Custom Knives
email: 100YearKnives@gmail.com
phone: 424-241-2891 (call or text)
Click to expand...

Here is a short list on toxic woods as I couldn't get the larger table, which included more toxic species, to post correctly. Hope it helps.

** Here is the link to a more comprehensive list: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/

Wood Reaction Site Potency Source Incidence
---- -------- ---- ------- ------ ---------
Bald Cypress S R + D R
Balsam Fir S E,S + LB C
Beech S,C E,S,R ++ LB,D C
Birch S R ++ W,D C
Black Locust I,N E,S +++ LB C
Blackwood S E,S ++ W,D C
Boxwood S E,S ++ W,D C
Cashew S E,S + W,D R
Cocobolo I,S E,S,R +++ W,D C
Dahoma I E,S ++ W,D C
Ebony I,S E,S ++ W,D C
Elm I E,S + D R
Goncalo Alves S E,S ++ W,D R
Greenheart S E,S +++ W,D C
Hemlock C R ? D U
Iroko I,S,P E,S,R +++ W,D C
Mahogany S,P S,R + D U
Mansonia I,S E,S +++ W,D C
N + D
Maple (Spalted) S,P R +++ D C
Mimosa N ? LB U
Myrtle S R ++ LB,D C
Oak S E,S ++ LB,D R
C ? D U
Obeche I,S E,S,R +++ W,D C
Oleander DT N,C ++++ D,W,LB C
Olivewood I,S E,S,R +++ W,D C
Opepe S R + D R
Padauk S E,S,R + W,D R
Pau Ferro S E,S + W,D R
Peroba Rosa I R,N ++ W,D U
Purpleheart N ++ W,D C
Quebracho I R,N ++ LB,D C
C ? D U
Redwood S,P E,S,R ++ D R
C ? D U
Rosewoods I,S E,S,R ++++ W,D U
Satinwood I E,S,R +++ W,D C
Sassafras S R + D C
DT N + D,W,LB R
C ? D U
Sequoia I R + D R
Snakewood I R ++ W,D R
Spruce S R + W,D R
Walnut, Black S E,S ++ W,D C
Wenge S E,S,R + W,D C
Willow S R,N + D,W,LB U
West. Red Cedar S R +++ D,LB C
Teak S,P E,S,R ++ D C
Yew I E,S ++ D C
DT N,C ++++ W,D C
Zebrawood S E,S ++ W,D
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REACTION: SITE: SOURCE: INCIDENCE:
I - irritant S - skin D - dust R - rare
S - sensitizer E - eyes LB - leaves,bark C - common
C - nasopharyngeal R - respiratory W - wood U - uncommon
cancer
P - pheumonitis, C - cardiac
alveolitis
(hypersensitivity
pneumonia)
DT - direct toxin
N - nausea, malaise
-----------------------------------------------
 
Chris, I have the utmost confidence that you'll find a work-a-round and continue to turn out great knives! I use Acraglas. You might want to get a little batch and try that or any of the other suggestions mentioned. I'm glad to hear that you found out what it was and I hope you're feeling better. Now when did you say that Cocobolo would be here? ;)
 
Chris, I hope you get better soon man. I also hope the obstacle is short lived, but mainly I hope you better soon. That s#!t sounds like it sucks!
 
mistwalker said:
Chris, I hope you get better soon man. I also hope the obstacle is short lived, but mainly I hope you better soon. That s#!t sounds like it sucks!
Click to expand...

+100000000000000000000000

By the looks of that sweet blade you just posted, it looks like there's light at the end of the tunnel!!! I hope so Buddy!!!

Take Care of Yourself and I hope you can recover quickly!

Stump
 
Thanks guys. I have been trying out alternatives to epoxy after reading the glue wars thread from years back. Ive found one that seems to be as strong as the West Coast epoxy, it just takes a lot more prep work. My wife has also shown an interest in helping so tomorrow we are going to glue up a few with the West Coast epoxy and see how she does. I figure If she can glue them up and grind them down to the tang there shouldn't be much epoxy dust around after that. We will see! I have a full pack of steroids just in case ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top