Need help / repair or replace knife handle

[fowlintent]

I am trying to figure out what to do with my first real knife, bought in 1982 for a whopping $54.00. That was a lot of money back then. I eyed it for a number of months in a knife shop in Crabtree Valley shopping center before I finally bought it. It is a Benchmark, I believe designed by Blackie Collins, and manufactured in Gastonia, N.C, about 30 miles from where I grew up. Anyway, 30 years or so I dropped the knife and it chipped the one piece handle. Looking for ideas or referrals to someone who may be able to fix this with some sort of epoxy resin or maybe even replace the whole handle. Although I am pretty good at woodworking, and have replaced a number of 2 piece handles/scales, this is more than I think I want to tackle. This knife has been relegated to the miscellaneous outdoor stuff drawer, and I really want to get it back on my belt. It's not a huge deal I realize, but the chip is just something that bothers me. Ideas? Know anyone who could repair/replace this handle?

 

[Spats McGee]

I have no answers for your questions, but that handle is shaped suspiciously like one on my Benchmark knife.

https://imgur.com/a/Zn5Shxo

 

[eisman]

You can do this; it's not hard. Use a basic 2 part epoxy and mix some sawdust from a wood close in color to what the handle looks like. Add that to where it's broken and let it set for 24 hours. Then file or sand to final shape.

 

[herisson]

This ! When done, you can also sand lightly the whole handle and dye it a slightly darker color, still in the same hue. Let dry thoroughly then apply a thin coat of wax. I did that on several damaged handles and the result was surprisingly pleasant (i.e. the damaged part was almost invisible).

 

[fowlintent]

I've used that technique doing guitar repair work, so I figured this would be one way to do it. But when I have done it it was smaller surface areas and not nearly as deep. Would I need to do it in layers/stages, or all at one time? I guess I've got nothing to lose trying it. Thanks for the reply.

 

[fowlintent]

Spats, looks like the same Benchmark model. I saw a few of these knives sell in the $350-400 range in the past few months.

 

[l1ranger]

I've used that technique doing guitar repair work, so I figured this would be one way to do it. But when I have done it it was smaller surface areas and not nearly as deep. Would I need to do it in layers/stages, or all at one time? I guess I've got nothing to lose trying it. Thanks for the reply.

I would do it all at once. Id put somethign in the lanyard hole to make sure it didnt get epoxied over.
Then Id use painter tape on the 'face' of the handle and fill the chipped area with the epoxy/wood mixture and let it set up.

 

[killgar]

I would just bevel the chip out on a disc sander, and hand sand it smooth. After all, I assume it's going to be a "user", and whatever you do, it's never going to be original.

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

I've used that technique doing guitar repair work, so I figured this would be one way to do it. But when I have done it it was smaller surface areas and not nearly as deep. Would I need to do it in layers/stages, or all at one time? I guess I've got nothing to lose trying it. Thanks for the reply.

If you can repair a guitar using same technique, you have the skills to do this. You could also do a mock-up with scrap wood and do a practice run. Go for it!

 

[eisman]

I would do it all at once. Id put somethign in the lanyard hole to make sure it didnt get epoxied over.

Use wax paper or a dowel coated with release agent.

 

[HexY3co]

Looks like a fun project. Maybe drill out the tubes and pop off the scales and make new ones out of g10

 

[fowlintent]

Well I finally got a round toit. Not perfect, but I will finally feel like carrying this knife after 30+ years of sitting in a drawer. Thanks for the advice.