Removing handle scales

K

Killinumsoftly

Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
266
I was wondering if anyone out there knew the best way to take knife scales off easier then having tout and grind and go threw a bunch of work. I am not sure if there is a way to get the epoxy to losen up or disolve it or something along those lines. Any help that you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.
 
Put it in the freezer. Some epoxies don't tolerate cold well (most actually.)
 
Freezing causes all the components to shrink and separate so try a good freeze and then tapping the scales wirh a plastic hammer or such. But if the scales are also pinned then it will be harder to get them free without cutting.
 
It all depends on what your want to save...the scales..... or the blade...or both.

You can heat the scales with a torch if it is being scrapped. A heat gun will be more gentle and do little damage. A 225F oven will also work. After the epoxy comes up to about 200F it breaks down and crumbles. Use a thin knife and you can lift the scales right off the pins. If you are trying to save the handle as well as the blade, warm the blade with the heat gun and let the heat wick up under the scales. It won't hurt the blade unless it gets hotter than 400F. Long before that point the scales will come loose. Keep giving them a little pry with the thin blade and they will all of a sudden pop off.
 
The scales are getting tossed. I broke a small piece out of the wood this week in the adirondacks, it was my first knife and I used crappy scales. Now I have some nice wood I want to pout on and the little chip gives me a reason to do so, so I don't mind ruining the scales just don't want to harm the blade. Whatever the easiest and fastest way is to get them of I'll try.
 
Take a small torch and just heat up the scales. They will pop off easily after a short time. If you have a heat gun, set it on high.
You won't get the knife blade hot enough to affect it.
 
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