Removing epoxy bleed

A

artney_iv

Joined
Apr 19, 2013
Messages
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Very basic, I know but I wanted to get some advice from those of you that actually know what your'e doing instead of marking up a pretty blade.
What's the best way to remove the epoxy bleed that comes out around where the handle meets the base of the blade? I was thinking acetone might be viable followed up by some light sanding but I'm afraid that might seep in and destroy the bond between the G10 scales and the steel.
/Users/aslewis09/Desktop/epoxybleed.jpg
This is what I'm talking about. Thanks for the advice, folks!
 
My process:

1. Tape off blade with blue painters or electrical tape

2. apply epoxy to handle scales and knife tang

3. attach scales to tang and secure with handle pins (do not hammer pins yet)

4. Clamp scales with C-clamps, clamp vice-grips, or other appropriate clamps (do not over tighten clamps, slightly past hand tight is fine)

5. Clean excess epoxy off of blade area with clean dish rag and rubbing alcohol
 
I use acetone on a q-tip and it works fine. No need to sand anything. Go with a slow cure epoxy and you'll have plenty of time to get it before it hardens.
 
Yep, I've been using q-tips with rubbing alcohol since someone on here told me thats what to do. Works great. I'm about 99.9% sure it was Stacy (Bladsmth). One of the many pieces of advice I owe him for.
 
I use acetone and Qtips. I also use spring clamps and then position the knife with the front facing up so there is no ooze getting to the front of the scales. I don't really care if it gets on top or bottom or at the end because all that will be ground/sanded away, although I do try and remove as much as the excess as I can.
 
Once I shape and polish the front of the scales, I put a layer of packing tape across the riccosso under the scales. I razor blade the tape to the shape of the scales then remove the portion under the scales. I cover the front of the scales with separate pieces of tape. After glue up I am not too concerned about any excess. I use a brass chisel rod to remove tape and all. Most of the time I leave it in place until I am done shaping the handle. Works well for me. Jess
 
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely be trying rubbing alcohol and acetone both to see what I get. I like the idea of razoring a tape line too. Might have to give that a whirl.
 
Yes should have said I do not cut all of the way through the tape. I have not had any marks to this point. Geez, probably will on the next knife now! Jess
 
Is there a different way to shape handles with a black coated blade? Should I coat the blade in black oxide, then tape and shape my handles? Im kinda at a stand still because I don't know how to do the next step without messing up my coating.
 
You can always shape the handles before the blade is coated, if using pins or corbys or such attach the handle material, shape and coat the steel.

You could always shape them like you would a gun grip as well. It takes more time but will look really good.
 
This is probably way backwards, but my idea was to pin it together with wood dowels, shape the handles and remove the pins. Coat the blade then Epoxy the scales on and cut my pins .060" longer than my dowels to shape them down. This is about the only thing I can come up with. I may try to black oxide it when its all together, but I don't know if the epoxy and oxide will get screwed up.
 
If you are using a razor blade, as Jesse suggested, be careful. I did that and cut part of my finger tip off. There were a lot of chuckles when I showed up at Urgent Care to have the sliced piece put back on. A knife maker did this to himself!!!!
Tim
 
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