Perfectly Clear Handles? (Or close to it) Possible?

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mgysgthath

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Dec 15, 2009
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Hey all, I hope everyone is doing well! Been taking a break, lacking inspiration and motivation mostly.
I was looking at some damascus blanks and thinking that it was a shame to cover up that damascus with a handle.. And a bit of searching didn't turn up much in the way of discussions of clear handles. I was thinking of making scales from pure epoxy, or possibly fiberglass resin (without the glass), or maybe clear plexi. Has anyone done this, any downsides? Epoxy too brittle or cloudy maybe? I suppose I should just experiment, but if you guys know of any pitfalls I'd be grateful to hear of them :)

Thanks all, best wishes
 
Acrylic, I don't know :) i think it would be pretty cool as well, good idea! Or glass if its a show knife.
 
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I would consider a "bar top" epoxy or possibly a plastic or acrylic (not sure on terminology). I have used clear epoxy and it should not be brittle but I think it will not be extremely tough, some testing will key you in. You will also want a clear epoxy for attachment.

I know it can be done, Ampeg Guitars are proof!
 
I wouldn't use epoxy. There are some types of epoxy that are clear enough, but you are asking for them to break. They are designed to be part of a system with something (fiberglass, canvas, the parts being glued, whatever) reinforcing the resin. The resin just keeps the forces concentrated on the actual structural parts.

Polycarbonate would be reasonably light and durable, but scratches way too easily. The same could be said for acrylic and most other clear plastics.

The only material I would trust to keep smooth and clear is something very hard, like borosilicate or quartz, but then you are going to have a really heavy knife, and the possibility of shattered scales if it gets dropped just right.
 
I think your best bet would be to use lexan or some other clear acrylic plastic and then polish the heck out of it to get it clear.
 
Bismarck22 said:
I wouldn't use epoxy. There are some types of epoxy that are clear enough, but you are asking for them to break. They are designed to be part of a system with something (fiberglass, canvas, the parts being glued, whatever) reinforcing the resin. The resin just keeps the forces concentrated on the actual structural parts.

Polycarbonate would be reasonably light and durable, but scratches way too easily. The same could be said for acrylic and most other clear plastics.

The only material I would trust to keep smooth and clear is something very hard, like borosilicate or quartz, but then you are going to have a really heavy knife, and the possibility of shattered scales if it gets dropped just right.
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Good point, I think finding something tough enough and not brittle could be difficult.
 
It certainly will be difficult. I think the biggest issue is scratches. Many scratches that would he hidden on an opaque surface shout at you in a transparent material.

Airplane windows are made from impact resistant plastic, usually polycarbonate. I've spent too much time polishing airplane windows because someone wiped it with a cloth that was slightly dirty, or not lint-free. If you clean them with the wrong cleaner, it scratches and clouds them. I can imagine how a knife handle made from it would fair under any normal use.
 
If it weren't for the weight, I'd go with borosilicate glass. It can definitely shatter, but I have some (thick hand blown) glass pieces that have survived dozens of falls off the fridge onto tile, falling out of a moving car at 45 mph, etc.

I just imagine the finished knife being a little edged paperweight that no one would want to carry.
 
Bismarck22 said:
If it weren't for the weight, I'd go with borosilicate glass. It can definitely shatter, but I have some (thick hand blown) glass pieces that have survived dozens of falls off the fridge onto tile, falling out of a moving car at 45 mph, etc.

I just imagine the finished knife being a little edged paperweight that no one would want to carry.
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Good points. I agree wouldn't want to carry it, but it would look pretty cool!

Edit: with a quick google search here's what I found, looks interesting its called makroclear check i out makroclearhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makroclear

(sorry don't know how to post links.)
it's what riot shields are made of. :) I don't know how scratch resistant it is though?
 
You can use Lexan.

It can be sanded and polished to a perfect clear finish.
 
I posted this in another thread.

there is an epoxy resin that is clear as glass and and is used in restoration of valuable paintings and sculpture and glass repair. it is VERY expensive but it stays clear forever no yellowing ever.

http://www.hxtal.com/

I've used it on a glass project and it really is great. you need to measure it with a very precise scale.


As far as the scales go glass can be tempered to be very strong. But you can't grind tempered glass. Maybe if you shaped your scales first you could have them tempered and then glue them with this hxtal epoxy. I think it would be very cool! Please post if you go thru with it.
 
http://www.smooth-on.com/Urethane-Plastic-a/c5_1120_1156/index.html

I'd make some scales to a finished dimension then cast a mold of them in plaster of paris. From there, use the product in the link above, or similar. You'll probably have trouble with air bubbles when curing the final product, so a heated vacuum enclosure (autoclave) might have to be made. If an autoclave is not feasible, try vibrating the curing urethane while passing a torch quickly over the piece to simultaneously heat it and pop any bubbles that rise to the surface.
 
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Wow thanks for the responses guys, that's a lot to think about. I had entirely forgotten hardness and scratches, I was only thinking of clarity and brittleness. I definitely need to do some experimentation once I read all these links.
 
You ever see the Pawn Stars episode where the guy tries to sell a glass sword? Why stop at clear handles? Go all the way! Anyway, good luck sounds like you have some good leads.
 
Hah, Ya I did see that episode :) Now that you mention it.. I suppose dipping the handle (like candle making) in liquid glass is a possibility .. would end up round but it's an option.
 
mgysgthath said:
Hah, Ya I did see that episode :) Now that you mention it.. I suppose dipping the handle (like candle making) in liquid glass is a possibility .. would end up round but it's an option.
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Actually dipping the handle in glass would probably not work. Glass and metal have such different coefficients of expansion that the glass would surely break during cooling. Glass to metal seals are possible but the metal and glass have to be a perfect match. With knife steel and especially Damascus it would be very difficult if not impossible.
 
amamachinist said:
Actually dipping the handle in glass would probably not work. Glass and metal have such different coefficients of expansion that the glass would surely break during cooling. Glass to metal seals are possible but the metal and glass have to be a perfect match. With knife steel and especially Damascus it would be very difficult if not impossible.
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Well that is good to know, thank you. Though that wouldn't be my ideal solution, I don't like the idea of glass on a user-knife really.. even stronger or tempered glass has a chance to break/shatter if dropped or whacked, or even batoning I suppose. As a show knife, sure it would look fantastic though.
 
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