What say you

[freekforge]

I knocked this knife out yesterday and started the handle today but after i got the handle on i realized there was a crack in the wood. Well i guess the humidity and temp. change from going from the garage to the house was enough to pop off a chunk of wood where a finger guard would be. so i now have to make the decision to clean it up a bit and leave it as is or cut the grip scales off and start over. What say you

[/URL][/img]

 

[necchi]

:idunno:
I like the way Wick Ellerbe finishes his knives

 

[oldwoodswalker]

just my 2 cents just cut a half circle in the blade :idunno:

 

[Keb]

You made that?

 

[BillinOregon]

FF: Nicely shaped blade! What steel did you use?
As to the scales, there sure is some nice figure in that wood (walnut?). If you can clean up that area of the blade behind the choil, I think you should save the wood unless you have more of that quality.

 

[ohio ramrod]

From what see on the picture the split off is small enough that the handle can be reshaped to blend the chipped spot out. My question is: is that the only crack? Where there is one, there is often more. :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nicely done.
As for the wood, if it bothers you, start over. If not, leave of fix. It's yer (nice) knife.
FWIW, when I bring wood into my (climate controlled) shop from the garage, I let set for 24-48 hours before cutting into it for use.

 

[LRB]

Leave it as is, just clean it up where it broke. Such an extension has no support, and it will just break again.

 

[freekforge]

I made it out of some steel that my uncle got from an old sawmill in WV i did a few tests on it to see if it would make a good knife and it passed with flying colors. The grip scales are made from walnut (i think)and unfortunately are the last piece that look like that. I found one more smaller crack, dad just finished his vacuum chamber so i think i might see if i can get the wood to suck up some fiberglass resin to stop it from cracking further (i have done this before on gun grips). If the FG resin doesnt work dad said i can have some curly maple to use for new grips. I am now bringing our handle wood into the house work room so it will be less likely to split. Thanks for the input and kind words :grin:

 

[Rifleman1776]

If the FG resin doesnt work dad said i can have some curly maple to use for new grips. I am now bringing our handle wood into the house work room so it will be less likely to split. Thanks for the input and kind words

FF, I also have a vacuum chamber I use to stabilize woods. But, I use a acrylic solution. Have no experience with the resin. With mine the wood color doesn't change. Understand, curly maple is very unfriendly to work with. It will crack of you look cross-eyed at it. I'll be happy to stable your maple at no charge other than postage to send back to you. Maple takes stable very well. PT me if interested.
(the other) FF

 

[freekforge]

I guess dad has some acrylic on backorder if it doesn't get here soon (been a few months to my understanding) i may take you up on your offer.

 

[freekforge]

Well i blended where it broke a little bit and i was also able to get the wood to soak up some resin so the cracks are sealed and shouldn't break or spread. I also cleaned the blade up some but i ran out of sandpaper so i will have to run to the hardware store to get it finished. Here it is so far the black streaks near the handle are actually shallow scratches that got epoxy in them i will sand them out later

[/URL][/img]

 

[Rifleman1776]

able to get the wood to soak up some resin

I'll tell ye a little secret, if ye promise not to tell anyone else. :wink:
If I use CA, epoxy or stabilization on something I want to look 'authentic' or historically pc, I just don't tell anyone what I did. :shocked2:

 

[Black Hand]

CA, or superglue, is easy to get and use. Heat it up a bit (get the plastic bottles) and then spread a liberal amount onto the wood. Wipe off the excess that isn't immediately soaked in. I've used it as a handle sealer/finish on several knife projects. If you get a lumpy finish, a little acetone should clean it up.

 

[Rifleman1776]

:nono: SHhhhh.....
Yer not supposed to tell folks you use that stuff. :wink:

 

[Black Hand]

Superglue, like duct tape, is what keeps the world from coming apart at the seams... :grin:

 

[freekforge]

What has been said is between rifleman, blackhand and myself anyone else who has read this must forget it immediately :grin:

 

[Wes/Tex]

What has been said is between rifleman, blackhand and myself anyone else who has read this must forget it immediately :grin:

"I see nahhthink!"
"I hear nahhthink!"
:rotf:

 

[Claude Mathis]

able to get the wood to soak up some resin

I'll tell ye a little secret, if ye promise not to tell anyone else. :wink:
If I use CA, epoxy or stabilization on something I want to look 'authentic' or historically pc, I just don't tell anyone what I did. :shocked2:

Anything imperceptible, is certainly acceptable. ~ Claude 2013

 

[Wes/Tex]

Anything imperceptible, is certainly acceptable. ~ Claude 2013

I do hope somebody carved that in some stone some place! :thumbsup: