Question about fixing a horn handle

S

Shinook

Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
344
I recently received an absolutely gorgeous BDC. Unfortunately, the horn handle developed some fine cracks between Reno and WV. I was going to just use superglue, but thought since this is my first time working with horn, I'd better ask to make sure that I'm doing the right thing.

Thanks!!

(I talked about it with Yangdu, and she quickly told me to just send it back. But I've already fallen in love with this knife, so I decided to try to fix it myself. Her customer support was/is still wonderful.)

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Thanks Karda!
I've been reading the different posts on it for a couples days now. I guess my question is about severity.
Do you think the superglue would work in those small cracks, or should I get the Devcon?
 
This is why I decided to keep this stunning example of HI's artistry.

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BDC with my Bilton
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Shinook said:
Thanks Karda!
I've been reading the different posts on it for a couples days now. I guess my question is about severity.
Do you think the superglue would work in those small cracks, or should I get the Devcon?
Click to expand...

I would just use the superglue method on small cracks.
Just be aware though to bring it back to original finish, you will need a buffing wheel. I haven't ever used a dremel buffing wheel as they are small and a bit difficult to match the finish to the old one.
 
Thanks Karda.

I just hit it with some superglue.
I don't have a full size buffing wheel, so I'll be using a Dremel... I'll go slow and hope for the best. (after practicing on the karda and chakmak of course..)
Should I use a polishing compound? And if so, what color?
 
Shinook said:
Thanks Karda.

I just hit it with some superglue.
I don't have a full size buffing wheel, so I'll be using a Dremel... I'll go slow and hope for the best. (after practicing on the karda and chakmak of course..)
Should I use a polishing compound? And if so, what color?
Click to expand...

Yes, you should use compound. The green one is for polishing.
 
I've been working on this, but I can't get the superglue to wick into the cracks. Is there a technique that I should be using?
 
Shinook said:
I've been working on this, but I can't get the superglue to wick into the cracks. Is there a technique that I should be using?
Click to expand...

That's a beautiful BDC.

Maybe your superglue sets too fast for wicking to work. What I've done is this:

1. Cover everything except the crack with blue painter's tape.

2. Use a piece of scrap plastic to press the superglue into the crack. If it settles under its own weight and leaves a depression, repeat the process. While you're working, use the plastic to scrape away any excess glue from the blue tape.

3. Remove the tape and give the superglue plenty of time to cure before sanding. I don't know how long the cure takes, but since the setting time was 10 seconds, I figured overnight was more than enough for a full cure.

4. Retape the clean part of the handle and use progressively finer grades of sandpaper and polish to get the superglue flush with the surface and the desired degree of luster.

For small jobs like this I do all the sanding and polishing by hand. Superglue polishes up really well. If you go too fine on the polish, the superglue will be brighter than the horn handle, but that's easy to fix.
 
Thanks David!
I'll try that. I thought I had it fixed, but when I went to sand/polish I found that the superglue was only on the surface. I guess I should have been pushing it into the horn.
 
To get the glue deeper you should use regular superglue and not the gel type. You can use the gel type once youve gotten enough superglue into the crack. Then you want to sand from the edges into the repair area before the glue is set hard to get the horn sandings worked into the glue. This will make the repair almost invisible once buffed.
 
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