Rubber grip shrunk, how do I fix it?

[P.08]

This is an old Muela Mirage and as you can see the grip has shrunk a bit. Is there anything I can do to fix this?

 

[killgar]

I would drill out the brass lanyard tube, pull the handle off, make an aluminum spacer of appropriate thickness to fit under the guard and fill the gap, and then reassemble.

I don't know of any way to make a rubber handle expand back to its original shape and size after it has shrunk.

 

[eveled]

Good advice above. Or just replace the handle completely. A dark wood checkered to match that pattern or some stag?

No way to make the rubber return to its original size.

 

[Drop bear]

Tomy tape.

 

[Arathol]

What are the chances that it didn't really shrink? Not all Muela knives are full tang. If this one only has a partial tang, could the handle have been pulled off a bit?

 

[SharpBits]

There are chemicals that can make the rubber swell, but you really don't want them on a knife grip. I also believe the grip has shifted rather than shrunk.

 

[jbmonkey]

isn't that a flared type pin setup through the rubber and a hole in the tang of the knife holding the grip on. how could it shift? I'm missing the obvious.....someone educate me what I'm seeing wrong and /or missing. thanks.

 

[Kettleman]

Off gassing is real.

 

[SharpBits]

If it is a partial tang, that brass hollow pin is just a lanyard hole. If it is a full length tang, then it likely pins the handle. I don't know enough about those knives to say what kind of tang it should have.

 

[P.08]

Ok, so I found out the other problem with the grip, it got brittle! I hit the butt of the grip against a small anvil and it shattered! It is full tang kinda looks like a hollow loop. I guess I get to try my hand at grip making.

 

[P.08]

I guess it is for the better anyway that this happened. I will cut the rest away later today and re-post a pic of the tang.

 

[SharpBits]

Wow, sorry to see that. At least there is enough tang to mount a nice handle to it.

 

[DavidABQ]

Another option is to R&R the knife with a custom from one of the many makers here.

 

[David Mary]

Another option is to R&R the knife with a custom from one of the many makers here.

Retire and replace is a good option; would be a tier jump.
Refurbish and restore is an option; would cost at least as much as a new iteration of that knife.

I almost suggested getting a new iteration of the knife would be the more economical choice, but if the handle is made the same way I wouldn't want another...

 

[SharpBits]

From what I read today, the guard and handle are made of Zamak which is a zinc alloy. I would not spend an enormous amount of time on it, but if the OP wants to try to make a handle why discourage him?

 

[Cementite]

If it were mine, I think I'd get some 100% polyester 550 paracord and epoxy (or polyester resin; you'll need to add some "surfacing wax" to it to prevent it from remaining sticky on the surface after hardening -- or use a resin with wax already in it) and wrap a handle for it with that.

 

[David Mary]

if the OP wants to try to make a handle why discourage him?

A worthy pursuit, which I don't discourage, though I always encourage exploring options to find the one you like most out of what is available to you.

 

[P.08]

I am going to try my hand at a grip. I have no worries about it holding up as it will sit in my knife drawer like it has for the past 15 years! Will post pics of the nasty looking grip when I get it done!

 

[David Mary]

Good luck!

 

[P.08]

Ok, hard plastic bits removed. Looks like a 1/3 tang. I am going to use a piece of 1x2 red oak for the scales as I already have it. Should I just drill a hole in the wood where the lanyard tube is and use that to hold the handle on?