Resiprene C / Tang Seal?

M

MtnHawk1

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May 22, 2019
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I have several Busse, Swamp Rat, and Scrap Yard knives (Infi and SR101, coated and satin), most of them with Resiprene C handles. I mostly use these knives in the wilderness, where they are exposed to rain, snow, and blood from game animals and fish. I don't like to submerge knives in water but sometimes that happens.

I'm concerned that these liquids could get behind the handle and cause rust on the tang. Is it a good idea to use some kind of sealant where the tang and Resiprene meet, or is this area already sealed against moisture in some way at the factory. I rarely, if ever, read about this being a problem, but would rather know for sure than guess. I'm planning to pass these great knives down to my son and grandkids and want them to be in as good a condition as possible.

Thank you....
 
I mean...sounds to me that you are using a Busse / Kin blade for it's totally intended use. All I would do is keep it regularly clean. Not sure on the corrosion under the resc, but I would guess you're fine.
 
The steel under the Res-C handles will be fine. I have never heard of a single instance where exposure to prolonged moisture has ever caused any issue under the Res-C handle. It simply can't get in there.
 
Various folk over the years have drilled out the tube rivet and pulled the handle off the tang. It's a very tight fit, but I've never heard anyone suggest that it was sealed. I agree with Chris (above) that no issues have been reported here but wouldn't go so far as to say that moisture can't get in there. Just that it does not seem to have ever been a problem.

Beat it and be happy! :eek::rolleyes:o_O
 
resinguy said:
Various folk over the years have drilled out the tube rivet and pulled the handle off the tang
Click to expand...

(A bit off topic) Do you suppose that would void the warranty? I was thinking of taking the handle off an alpha regulator 9.5 and refitting it to a stacked leather handle if possible. Ive seen someone do it to a falkniven a1 pro on youtube.
 
resinguy said:
Various folk over the years have drilled out the tube rivet and pulled the handle off the tang. It's a very tight fit, but I've never heard anyone suggest that it was sealed. I agree with Chris (above) that no issues have been reported here but wouldn't go so far as to say that moisture can't get in there. Just that it does not seem to have ever been a problem.

Beat it and be happy! :eek::rolleyes:o_O
Click to expand...

^ This right here. As one of the people that has removed and reinstalled ResC handles from a bunch of BusseKin, I'll confirm that they are TIGHT, as in a handle molded for a .235 thick knife is pretty near impossible to fit onto one that's .250. Tough enough that after a number of different ways, and greased with the slipperiest synthetic lube I had, I stopped halfway on and put the original handles back on.

Your coated blades are coated on the tang so dunk away with no worries. If you're concerned about the satin ones, though I'd bet that water inside would never get bad enough to become a failure point, sit them blade up and squirt some penetrating oil around the top of the handle. It won't hurt the ResC, and will also repel any water.

I'm sure your Busses will be around for you great-great-great grandkids to inherit.
 
JackTheKnifeGuy said:
(A bit off topic) Do you suppose that would void the warranty? I was thinking of taking the handle off an alpha regulator 9.5 and refitting it to a stacked leather handle if possible. Ive seen someone do it to a falkniven a1 pro on youtube.
Click to expand...

If you do that, I'd assume the handles (new and old) would be off warranty, but pretty positive the blade itself would still be covered, unless you drilled and cut it, or threaded the end for a pommel nut for instance. Short of an acetylene torch or aggressive regrinds, the shop will stand by their products.
 
It may be counter intuitive, but it's possible that anything you put there, even sealant may actually create extra wear on the resC. I haven't heard of anyone having an issue. It definitely wouldn't be for coated blades. For satin, just use the hell of of them, wipe them down, and if for some crazy reason you have an issue, which I don't think you will, contact the shop.

Thanks for clarifying where the blood comes from :)
 
Thanks to everyone for putting my mind at ease with your answers and info! :thumbsup: I appreciate your courteous and thoughtful replies.

I've wondered for a long time if I'm unintentionally causing hidden damage to my Busse, and Kin, Res C knives although, as zombieassassin pointed out, I'm using them the way they're intended to be used. I also wondered if I was overly-concerned, but I had an occupation where my life and safety, and that of others, could depend on our tools and equipment. I guess caring for tools the best I could, and trying to avoid potential problems, carried over into other areas of my life.

Now I won't have to figure out the best way to seal the handles! :)
 
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