Recommendation? what kind of cord for a cord wrap handle?

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I gouged an almost complete kitchen knife handle (already mounted to blade)
I'm not in the mood to break it all apart as the double ferrule and spacer is all precisely fitted and installed and machined. I'd like to try a cord wrap around the last 3-4" of the handle to build up the handle a little.

What kind of cord is used in this situation? I read up on how to epoxy it, brush it on, don't dip it...

thanks
 
Use 550 paracord. Pull the core out of it for most all wraps.

After doing the wrap, use a flux brush to apply a very LIGHT coat of epoxy. You want at least a 1 hour cure type, preferably 24 hour cure. Dab it on just light enough so it soaks in immediately. It will look like there is no epoxy there, but it is in the cord. do the whole handle. When done, wrap a piece of an old tee shirt around the handle a nd squeeze hard to make sure there is no excess epoxy. Set the knife on the edge of the workbench with a weight on the blade so the handle sticks out in the air. Let the epoxy cure, turning the knife over every so often until the resin in the mixing pot has gelled. Then leave untouched overnight or longer. When cured the handle will look like plain cord, but be rock solid and won't stretch or unravel.
 
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I have used gutted 550 to wrap a few handles and it worked well. I thinned some G Flex with acetone and applied it with a toothbrush and achieved a flat / no shine finish. The grip was good and I liked the look. I tried it without thinning and it came out glossy, I wasn't pleased with the look but it held up well.
 
I think it depends on the aesthetic of the knife but three fairly typical options would be be paracord, hemp, nylon lace etc. The color used also depends on knife aesthetics and the other materials used. I'd be interested in seeing a pic of what you're trying to wrap :)

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
 
with the style of knives you make hemp cord would be what I would use.
 
I’d like to see pics in its current state. Sounds like a nice kitchen knife, I’d hate to see that wrapped in paracord(if it’s what I’m visualizing). I could possibly see a thin hemp cord wrap but that would depend on the rest of the knife and handle.
Kintsugi is a Japanese form of repair where the repair is highlighted(typically with gold or something ornaite) rather than hidden. Could work in your situation.
 
as I mentioned I gouged it badly on one side, I took the handle down to remove the gouge and it's a bit skinny now.
I don't want to break it apart because of the front ferrules, it will be a mess.
I was thinking I could wrap the back 3.5" of the ironwood

I've had this for awhile and been using it at home in my kitchen

YcGS4vL.jpg


ettMPqE.jpg
 
Hemp might look cool on that one.

Just test the cord first, on brand or color of lace or paracord will take epoxy differently than another. If the cord feels waxy it usually does not work quite as well.

Use an epoxy made for fabric if you want the best penetration and look... west system makes one but I find most bar top epoxy is also perfect for this task.
 
I like the shape of the front bolster, are the fittings done in nickel silver or mild, or is it stainless? It's a bit hard to tell with the lighting, but they look great.

I'm just wondering, but is the handle really that awkward with it's smaller size, or is it possible some may actually like them a bit for 'petite' and 'nimble'? I honestly think it's beautiful as is.

If you're trying to sell it, you could always just list it as it and then mention that you can add a wrap in a specific material and color on request if they'd like it a bit closer to a standard size handle. Just my 2 cents. :)

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
 
coldsteelburns said:
I like the shape of the front bolster, are the fittings done in nickel silver or mild, or is it stainless? It's a bit hard to tell with the lighting, but they look great.

I'm just wondering, but is the handle really that awkward with it's smaller size, or is it possible some may actually like them a bit for 'petite' and 'nimble'? I honestly think it's beautiful as is.

If you're trying to sell it, you could always just list it as it and then mention that you can add a wrap in a specific material and color on request if they'd like it a bit closer to a standard size handle. Just my 2 cents. :)

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
Click to expand...

silicon bronze bolsters and G10 spacer
the knife feels awkward and needs a bigger handle

thanks
Harbeer
 
Hah! The one material I didn't list.. lol The lighting and shadows were messing with me ;)

If you're definitely going to wrap it I personally would also go with a hemp wrap, but I'd dye it a like a dark reddish-brown or something similar (probably with some leather dye) before using it as a wrap to help match the color of the materials. I'm not sure how Rick Marchand does his, but I like the way many of his wraps are darkened and have that organic/earthy look which I think would go nicely on your knife.

System Three clear coat epoxy is what I use to saturate my wraps; it's nice, thin, clear, and is easy to avoid a gloppy/wet look that can occur with thicker epoxies and/or when over-saturated. Also, it's not nearly as pricey as West System. If you're not planning on it already, I would also recommend keeping the knife inside your (warm) house while the epoxy is curing, as being outside in a colder shop can mess with the curing times a bit IME. I hope to see some more pics when you finish it :thumbsup:

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
 
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here y
coldsteelburns said:
Hah! The one material I didn't list.. lol The lighting and shadows were messing with me ;)

If you're definitely going to wrap it I personally would also go with a hemp wrap, but I'd dye it a like a dark reddish-brown or something similar (probably with some leather dye) before using it as a wrap to help match the color of the materials. I'm not sure how Rick Marchand does his, but I like the way many of his wraps are darkened and have that organic/earthy look which I think would go nicely on your knife.

System Three clear coat epoxy is what I use to saturate my wraps; it's nice, thin, clear, and is easy to avoid a gloppy/wet look that can occur with thicker epoxies and/or when over-saturated. Also, it's not nearly as pricey as West System. If you're not planning on it already, I would also recommend keeping the knife inside your (warm) house while the epoxy is curing, as being outside in a colder shop can mess with the curing times a bit IME. I hope to see some more pics when you finish it :thumbsup:

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
Click to expand...
here you go
last pic is after linseed oil soak

5rOCmHF.jpg


XKxQw7D.jpg


AlvNOdc.jpg
 
Sweet, I had no idea they sold it in different colors. I know what I'm picking up next time I stop at Walmart lol :thumbsup:

One more question if ya don't mind, but I'm just curious what made ya choose the linseed oil over the epoxy? Just what you had on hand at the moment or is there some other reason? Thanks :)

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
 
coldsteelburns said:
Sweet, I had no idea they sold it in different colors. I know what I'm picking up next time I stop at Walmart lol :thumbsup:

One more question if ya don't mind, but I'm just curious what made ya choose the linseed oil over the epoxy? Just what you had on hand at the moment or is there some other reason? Thanks :)

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
Click to expand...
the second pic shows with epoxy, then after drying, light sand with 400, then the linseed oil soak, thx to @rickmarchand
 
Oh that's really interesting, and a great idea sanding the wrap (from loose fibers I'm guessing?) after saturating with epoxy. I've always been interested in how @Rick Marchand does his wraps so I'd also love to hear from him the thought behind using linseed oil over merely adding another thin coat of epoxy, does it give a more natural look or a better feel than a second epoxy coat? Thanks again for sharing

~Paul
My Youtube Channel
... (Just some older videos of some knives I've made in the past)
 
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