Surprise cracks

J. Neilson

J. Neilson

Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
3,621
Oh crap. I was finishing a nice hard rock maple handle on a knife last night(last one before the show this weekend) and when I got to 320 grit a lovely 3" crack appeared lenghtwise along the bottom of the handle. The crack is not huge, but it is unsightly.
I did fill and seal the crack, but it still looks like a CRACK. Any suggestions? Anyone? AHHHhhh!
J.
 
Set the knife aside and just go to the show without it. If you can see the crack, everyone else will too.

When you get back, try to figure out why the wood cracked. It's most likely due to stress or dryness. A lot of makers use stabilized woods to avoid having this happen, but driving a tang into a block of wood can even crack stabilized woods.

The worst thing you can do is take a flawed knife to a show or try to do a rush-job on the last few knives you're trying to get ready for a show. A few well made knives make a much nicer display than a mixed lot of "mostly good" knives. Take only what you are proud to show!


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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives
 
I agree with what Tom has said here. Only show something that you won't have to try and "cover" for.

I can see it as a plus if you can get your knifemaking public to see you as a knifemaker that isn't capable of producing a knife with flaws...
wink.gif


Nick
 
I agree with Tom also. Don't sell anything that your not completely satisfied with. If you haven't done it before, its pretty easy to drive out pins or grind past bolts and then shear off the handle slabs to replace them.
 
The nature of the crack can allow your creative juices to flow too. Dependent on the nature of the flaw, they can be accented (colored epoxy). Usually most effective with strong figured woods or antler. Many attractive pieces come from areas close to or inclusive of flaws.

If it's straight, unattractive or just frosts you when you look at it later (after the show)kill it.
smile.gif
Terry
 
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