Quick Question - Epoxy/Para-Cord

[Omega Leather Works]

Hey guys so I made my pop a nice dagger out of a Nicholson file (what steel are they btw?) (W2?) and wrapped the handle in para-cord.

I have a CRKT knife (first strike) that has the wrap epoxy soaked so that it is hard and durable. I have some good epoxy and want your thoughts on me soaking it.

The blade btw is about 6"s long/handle 5" I dyed some white para red and wrapped it around the handle then used black cord ove that and did it in the more traditional way, Im not sure how to explain it... Oh also I blued the blade.

Anyway any help would be appreciated!

 

[tmickley]

It's a pretty common technique for cord wrapped handles. Wrap the handle, smear/soak as much epoxy as the cord will soak up. Wipe away the excess before it goes off for a nice clean look.

 

[AcridSaint]

Hi - I've done the epoxy thing many times. You can use a bit of acetone to thin it down. I've switched over to CA for most of my wrapping now, I like how it hardens up, doesn't gloss and it's much easier to keep it only where I intend for it to be. No clean up afterwards. Just test your glue on a small piece of cord before you do the handle. Some materials darken up quite a bit and some look better with one coat or another.

By the way, if you wipe off the epoxy, use a clean washed rag. If it's an unused rag, you'll be picking bits of towel off your handle

 

[Steven Penner]

I haven’t yet done it myself, but -

The information that I have on epoxy for cord wrapping is to use
West Systems

It is very thin and soaks into the cord very well.

http://www.westsystem.com/

Resin # 105
And
Hardener # 207 designed to wet out and bond with fabrics – slight amber colour cast to it

Or

Hardener # 209 extra slow hardener gives 45 minutes pot life

Steve

 

[Leu Custom]

Yeah what Steve said. I have used West Systems for a long time now. Works perfect everytime. If one layer is applied, it will almost appear there is no epoxy on the cord at all. If you build it up, it will give a semi glossy look, but not CHEAP like devcon epoxy will give. that 5 minute stuff or even the 30 minute stuff is glossy compared to west system. I have used 105 resin with 207, 206, hardeners. 209 gives more time. You don't want to use 207 hardener on white cord as it will yellow it up. Any other color it doesn't matter. 206 is a clear hardener that works well too.

 

[jdm61]

West is GREAT stuff, but believe them when they tell you what the pot life is. After that, you will see steam coming out of the mixing cup and shortly thereafter, you will have an ugly amber paperweight. I use wooden swizzle sticks that I steal from Starbucks to stir the stuff, so I end up with ugly little amber plastic lollipops

 

[Leu Custom]

Just mix amounts you need and can use at a time, then mix some more instead of mixing the entire pot (if it's going to take awhile to spread on the handle). I have done dozens of knives using the 105Resin and 207Hardener and never really felt like i was running out of time. Just use a cheapo acid brush and spread it around wait a few seconds and wipe it off or if you don't spread a lot of it on, it will impregnate super awesome. I just stir/mix the stuff with the actual acid brush i'm using. cheap. I think 144 cost around 15 bucks.