Sealing between the tang and scales on takedown designs?

[F. Allin Kahrl]

After gluing up my first full-tang design over the weekend, I'd like my next to be takedown-capable. I used indexing pins and got good fitment before gluing, so I'm pretty sure I can handle the added precision (plus I'm a machinist first).

But I'm curious how I should seal between the tang and scales to keep moisture and crud out. I've been working with 1095 and W-2 (and micarta) and don't see myself going stainless any time soon. Would liners made from thin and/or hard rubber (or silicone, neoprene, polyurethane, etc.) and oil on the tang be sufficient? Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

-Allin

 

[AwP]

Honestly the oil might have a bad effect on alot of the rubber like materials, though gasket sealer for engines would probably work. Any sort of goo under the handles will look kinda bad though in my opinion. The good side of a take down is that you can take it apart to clean ubder the scales, the bad side of a take down is that you have to take it apart to clean under the scales.

 

[F. Allin Kahrl]

The good side of a take down is that you can take it apart to clean ubder the scales, the bad side of a take down is that you have to take it apart to clean under the scales.

Heh. Point taken.

McMaster-Carr sells adhesive-backed Viton and Nitrile which have excellent resistance to oil, so I'm not too concerned there. Then the question becomes, will an ordinary tool oil (like camellia) suffice, or should I use something that displaces water, like WD-40?

Still welcoming any advice.

 

[jhiggins]

Wax? Cosmoline?

 

[AwP]

Good call, I'd go with a wax too (I donno what cosmoline is). Oil on the handle can get slippery, even minute amounts. I've heard WD-40 isn't a good choice, though honestly I don't remember the reason for it.