Wa handle help

C

comet_sharp

Joined
Aug 22, 2016
Messages
256
Hey guys,
Working on my 4th knife, it is a little 3.25" pairing knife. I was about to install it into a wa handle I had made for it using the dowel method. The blade was a little crooked so I heated the tang with a torch and tried to straighten it out a bit (worked with my last 2) and my spacer popped and has a little crack in it now. Pics posted below. Is this handle done for as well, I figure even if I load it up with epoxy and sand it flush the space will still be visible. The handle is made of Osage and African blackwood with aluminum spacers and is glued up with Gflex epoxy. I am currently blaming the aluminum spacers and absolutely hated working it as it has a tendency to crumble/burr off into the pores of the wood. Needless to say I will be buying higher quality spacer material. Few pictures below, any advice would be amazing even if the advice is "toss the handle and start over". Thanks
20170103_204735_zpsbobc3ony.jpg

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20170103_204716_zpskkeqi4we.jpg


-Trey/Comet
 
I would take the handle apart, clean up the joints again, and glue it all back together. Then fit the tang in and epoxy it all.
 
Yeah, that was my first plan of attack, but now that the blade is straight the spacer is crooked. I don't think my disc sander is flat...I think I'm going to just make a new handle. Just sucks because it was my last piece of Osage and I made an Osage saya for it already haha. So its make a new spacer or new handle...
 
Once you get the handle apart can you widen the slot through the spacer? That should allow the tang through. Or maybe I am misunderstanding the problem.
 
My dowel slot was off center and caused the problem. Handle is done for. This knife is going on the backburner and I'll make a new handle for it later. Got a desk full of gyutos and am spending all my time on this damn pairing knife.
 
Next time clamp a file guide to the blade when fitting it to the handle. The file guide should sit flush with the top of the handle and let you know if the slot needs to be adjusted.

Cover the file guide with floor wax or vaseline when gluing the blade to the handle and it will insure the blade is in there straight. When dry take off the file guide and clean up.
 
Ty Vigil that is good advice. I have pics of the handle taken apart if anyone is interested in seeing my mistakes haha. The blackwood spacer was high on 1 side by .003" and when i got the blade flush it caused the joint to break.
 
comet_sharp said:
Yeah, that was my first plan of attack, but now that the blade is straight the spacer is crooked. I don't think my disc sander is flat...I think I'm going to just make a new handle. Just sucks because it was my last piece of Osage and I made an Osage saya for it already haha. So its make a new spacer or new handle...
Click to expand...
Where are you located? I have some Osage I can send you if you need it.
 
I'm located in Pensacola,FL and will update my account profile. Thank you so much Kevin but I was actually trying to use up the rest of the Osage I had in shop. Only upset because I've already made the saya haha. I'm visiting my wood man Saturday and might pick up a block ofOsage from him..
 
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