Remove epoxied micarta scales?

Jesse Smith

Jesse Smith

Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
163
I used Acraglas to epoxy micarta scales to a small 1084 knife (2 3/4" blade and smaller handle), and two 1/8" brass pins. Somehow I ended up with a gap between the tang and one of the scales. It's just the last 1/2" between the front pin and the end of the scale. I'm not sure how it happened as the scales and tang were FLAT, but it was late when I epoxied it last night.

So what's the best way to remove the micarta scale? I don't imagine I can caveman it off like a wood scale. Can I just grind it with a course belt (H.F. 1x30" grinder) or will I just have problems with the pins overheating the blade.

Sorry if this is a duplicate post. I thought for sure this would have been covered many times, but the Google search tool didn't find anything for me.
 
Drill the pins out and then rest the butt edge of one scale on something solid. Hit the other side with a hammer. Dont get too crazy. If it wont break loose then you can heat everything up to 250-275 and that will loosen the epoxy. I have done this a few times on handles with Corby bolts and could save the scales. Good luck and make sure you wrap and tape the blade.

You may can knock the pins out if they haven't been peened yet. If they have you may have to grind the heads a little.
 
i have just cut through the handle material with a hacksaw right up beside the pins, then with a knife edge between the material and tang give a little tap with a small hammer and they pop right off. then the hacksaw will cut the pins... quick clean up of the tang and voila
 
I would recommend heat to begin--a heat gun or even the oven up to around 275, heat guns can be tricky when getting things to the 'hot enough' point, and cause you to singe/crust/burn things you don't want to.
If you can get a knife edge between the scales and blade, a good carbon blade will shear the pins with a couple blows from a mallet.
 
I have drilled out the pins and put the knife in the freezer and then wrapped the blade in leather in your vise and drive a sharp wood chisel between the tang and scale. I have done this twice and the scale popped off easily. AI have not used Acraglass to glue up however but I bet my method will work. Larry
 
I have never found a problem with heating it up in the oven to 250F or so. The pins will drive out easily, and the scales will lift right off with a knife blade wedged under them.
 
Thanks guys. I meant to update this sooner. I drilled out the pins then took a hammer to the scales until they sheared off. It took some beating, but I got them off without damaging the blade. The scales didn't survive the beating, but I had already goobered them up a bit when drilling the pins. Next time I'll heat it in the oven first.

I never realized epoxy was so susceptible to freezing. That's rather concerning to me. I think I will step up my mechanical connection, if I can't trust the epoxy on a knife left in the car over night.
 
I use Corby bolts and always put the female on the left side. This way I can just drill the head off and knock them out. I have removed a few sets and have been able to save the scales. My only concern with heating is damage to the scales
 
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