My first patch knife

[TarponStalker]

Hi Y’all.
I made my first knife about 15 years ago using an antler and blade from an orange grove saw.
As you can see when I glued in the blade using JB Weld I didn’t think to clamp the blade in. Therefore during the night it worked out leaving a gap. I’ve just been using it as is since then but always thinking of how to fix it.
Im thinking of pouring pewter in the gap and shaping it to fit.
do any of you folks have an idea?
thanks.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

That seems to be a good answer to your question. I think it is logical solution.

 

[Bob McBride]

Either that or just spin the gap with some waxed artificial sinew and put a match to it to bind it all together. That would add to the handcrafted look. Then you would have a solid excuse to buy a nice Southern Mountain flintlock to go with it....

 

[TarponStalker]

Either that or just spin the gap with some waxed artificial sinew and put a match to it to bind it all together. That would add to the handcrafted look. Then you would have a solid excuse to buy a nice Southern Mountain flintlock to go with it....

That’s a good idea. I thought about a leather thong/string but I’d never get it tight enough I’m afraid.
I wish there was somewhere around here to buy artificial sinew. I’d like to try your idea.

 

[Spikebuck]

I wish there was somewhere around here to buy artificial sinew. I’d like to try your idea.

https://theleatherguy.org/https://theleatherguy.org/pages/search-results-page?q=sinew
The Leather Guy has it all.

 

[Bob McBride]

Also Hobby Lobby I think carries it.

 

[oldwood]

Crazy Crow has all that sinew stuff.

 

[William Sublette]

That’s a good idea. I thought about a leather thong/string but I’d never get it tight enough I’m afraid.
I wish there was somewhere around here to buy artificial sinew. I’d like to try your idea.

Take me tarpon fishing, and I'll send you a spool of it.

 

[Gary Russell]

That’s a good idea. I thought about a leather thong/string but I’d never get it tight enough I’m afraid.
I wish there was somewhere around here to buy artificial sinew. I’d like to try your idea.

You might use some soft copper wire and wrap it

 

[Tobie]

Hi Y’all.
I made my first knife about 15 years ago using an antler and blade from an orange grove saw.
As you can see when I glued in the blade using JB Weld I didn’t think to clamp the blade in. Therefore during the night it worked out leaving a gap. I’ve just been using it as is since then but always thinking of how to fix it.
Im thinking of pouring pewter in the gap and shaping it to fit.
do any of you folks have an idea?
thanks. View attachment 54361

That'd work.

 

[Tobie]

That’s a good idea. I thought about a leather thong/string but I’d never get it tight enough I’m afraid.
I wish there was somewhere around here to buy artificial sinew. I’d like to try your idea.

Crazy Crow Trading, Hobby Lobby.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Get yourself a rawhide dog bone soak it in water cut thin lacing trips wrap the gap including back on the handle a bit let it dry.

 

[ZUG]

Using a torch - propane will work - heat the blade up which will soften the epoxy and pull out that ugly blade☹. Make a new and better styled blade and redo that good looking antler horn into a nice knife --- sorry for being so frank but that antler handle deserves a better looking blade

 

[user 48679]

+1

Use gentle heat and the epoxy will soften fairly quickly, allowing the tang to be embedded deeper (if the hole's deep enough).

Let the epoxy re-cure with the tip of the knife "up" (as gently clamped in a bench vise)

 

[Capnball]

Hi Y’all.
I made my first knife about 15 years ago using an antler and blade from an orange grove saw.
As you can see when I glued in the blade using JB Weld I didn’t think to clamp the blade in. Therefore during the night it worked out leaving a gap. I’ve just been using it as is since then but always thinking of how to fix it.
Im thinking of pouring pewter in the gap and shaping it to fit.
do any of you folks have an idea?
thanks. View attachment 54361

Cut a brass disk the size of the antler the thickness of the gap. Cut a slice the thickness of the blade so you can slide the disk in from the top. Set it in place with some two part epoxy, let it dry. Next day hit the gap with a single spot of brass solder. File, polish, enjoy!

 

[appalichian hunter]

Zug, I think you are a bit too harsh on the knife as there are many ways to fix the gap as has been mentioned. And with a little polishing of the blade to clean it up some I see a very fine knife.

 

[deandeib]

I think it looks great and I'd leave it just the way it is. Probably the guy who made it was too busy shooting at the horde of Indians that were attacking his cabin to worry about how his epoxy would set.

 

[Stony Broke]

I think I'd either use some pewter or lead free plumbers solder to fill the gap. If you work down a little bit of the horn near the gap, and just wrap some masking tape to create a kind of "dam" and you can work down the metal you poured to look good.

 

[LRB]

Hi Y’all.
I made my first knife about 15 years ago using an antler and blade from an orange grove saw.
As you can see when I glued in the blade using JB Weld I didn’t think to clamp the blade in. Therefore during the night it worked out leaving a gap. I’ve just been using it as is since then but always thinking of how to fix it.
Im thinking of pouring pewter in the gap and shaping it to fit.
do any of you folks have an idea?
thanks. View attachment 54361

You may get a volcanic action if that molten pewter touches the J&B epoxy. Been there, done that. It's a home made knife. It looks period as it is.

 

[Crawfish]

I think it looks great-advice you have gotten is correct- heat the blade- go slow-that epoxy shoud soften right up so you can push the blade back in. Probably, the suggestion to heat the blade would be fastest.

if any epoxy gets on the blade, antler, or you, alcohol will quickly remove the still wet epoxy. Get the 91 % stuff, not rubbing alcohol.

That knife looks very authentic to my eyes!