The Dreaded Pin Crack

Travman

Travman

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What should I do with this pin crack? I’ve heard that if I apply liquid super glue then it could stabilize the crack. Perhaps after that, I could dye the knife dark, so the crack is not as noticeable to me. What would you do?
tyoOz3A.mp4

IypGzI4.jpeg
 
Travman said:
What should I do with this pin crack? I’ve heard that if I apply liquid super glue then it could stabilize the crack. Perhaps after that, I could dye the knife dark, so the crack is not as noticeable to me. What would you do?
tyoOz3A.mp4

IypGzI4.jpeg
Click to expand...
Sounds like you're on the right track. From some reading on the subject, it seems that there are different viscosities of cyanoacrylate (CA), or "Super," glue available and, from what I've heard, you'd want the thinnest or least viscous formulation you can get - the opposite end of the spectrum from the gel formulations. I've heard of wood turners using thin CA glue as a finish, perhaps a wood-turning supply house may stock something suitable?
 
It's ruined! Best to send it to me for proper disposal.

;)

A glue thin enough for capillary action to draw it into the crack ought to work. If it were me, I wouldn't dye it darker. The bone on that knife has a mottled coloring that lets imperfections kinda blend it. It's possible that adding dye could make the crack look noticeably lighter or darker than the surrounding bone.
 
I believe that Rachel is correct in suggesting that you don’t dye it. It’s very likely that the glue would not absorb the dye. If you choose to dye it, I would apply the glue to something else first, and attempt to dye it, before attempting to do the knife. Lance
 
I'd leave it alone for the time being and see what develops. That crack may only be a shallow check that doesn't go all the way through the cover to the liner. At any rate I'd dye it before doing anything.
 
r8shell said:
It's ruined! Best to send it to me for proper disposal.

;)

A glue thin enough for capillary action to draw it into the crack ought to work. If it were me, I wouldn't dye it darker. The bone on that knife has a mottled coloring that lets imperfections kinda blend it. It's possible that adding dye could make the crack look noticeably lighter or darker than the surrounding bone.
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My first thought exactly! 🤣 ;)

As mentioned, I've heard that a very low-viscosity super glue is the way to go.
 
There is what appears to be a crack running through the upper pin (above the UN-X-LD pin) in this knife.
GEC Scout Trapper Ebony 11 .jpg

I sanded the cover and the crack disappeared. It hadn't gone all the way through the cover after all. Had I left it alone it would have been completely useable as it was.
Z GEC Scout Trapper Ebony 12 .jpg

I had exposed the edge of the shield a tad so I removed the shield. Could have left it but then again I Iike it the way it is - besides, I have the shield and could reset it if I change my mind.
 
I had a pin Crack similar to yours and was going to do glue,but thought it might be a surface Crack so I sanded it down,it turned out it was just surface.but you never know I have had cracks go right through.
 
Modoc ED said:
I'd leave it alone for the time being and see what develops. That crack may only be a shallow check that doesn't go all the way through the cover to the liner. At any rate I'd dye it before doing anything.
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I'm going to agree with Ed here. My stag Scout developed a check that has never gone anywhere. It's stable, so I haven't bothered with it.

IMG_2739.jpeg

On the other hand, my Stallion came with a substantial crack. I CYA'd that thing lest it get any larger.

33175984752_2dd7a455b8_c.jpg


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Travman said:
What should I do with this pin crack? I’ve heard that if I apply liquid super glue then it could stabilize the crack. Perhaps after that, I could dye the knife dark, so the crack is not as noticeable to me. What would you do?
tyoOz3A.mp4

IypGzI4.jpeg
Click to expand...
You may want to dye it first because the filler you use on the crack may not absorb the dye.
 
I have a Case Sodbuster jr came with a pin crack, instead of dealing with warranty and being without my new sodbuster, I filled it with loctite 425 superglue. A pin and a jewelers loupe, some patience and good to go.
 
Ide wait to c if it got worse. As others have said, it might just be a surface defect.

Not sure y u want to dye it, but whatever ... not my call.
If possible, get a inexpensive white bone covered knife (Rough Ryder has several patterns available wear white bone covers), dye it, let dry, then put a drop of your super glue on to see if if lifts the dye.
(Set super glue will not (in my experience) take a dye.)
If it does not lift the dye:
Dye first, then if it is a crack work a little of the thinnest/wateriest long set super glue I could find into the crack using a toothpick or straight sewing pin to apply, wiping any excess from the surface with a rag.

If it DOES lift the dye:
Verify it is a crack. If necessary work the super glue into the crack with a toothpick or straight sewing pin. Wipe any excess super glue by the crack with a rag moistened (barely damp) with nail polish remover.
LIGHTLY sanding with 800 grit or finer wet/dry sand paper, to make sure there isn't any super glue but in the crack can't hurt, but is optional, then dye.

Be aware:
1) Dying MAY accentuate the crack when finished.
2) If you DON'T dye, the crack MAY still be visible after gluing.
I had a large white bone solo blade RR "Coke Bottle" pattern back in 2014. ( no picture and no idea what happened to the knife.)
It had a crack at the rocker pin on one side. I super glued it to stabilize the crack. The crack was still visually noticeable afterwards.
(my first RR with a "defect". (note quotes) I did not blame RR or "think" much about it.
Natural materials can (and do) crack and/or warp regardless of who made the knife, or the price point. 🙄)
 
One of the worse type of cracks, it doesn't just run from the pin down to the liner but looks like a shard could break off lengthways....I'd avoid dye as the heat, moisture etc might well exacerbate the situation. Apply thin glue and leave to set for a week or two, then rub off any excess and give it a polish. After this, use it :cool:

Is cracking more common on GECs than other marques ? My White Bone Beer Scout was a user but never banged down or dropped but it developed cracks on the pins on both sides and each side of the shackle too. I glued them and they've remained stable.
 
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