How to fix gap?

B

beaster456

Joined
Dec 30, 2012
Messages
193
I just finished this one but I didn't sand the ends of the scales flat so there are gaps between the scales and the guard. Would wood filler work? 4Ifhv9A.jpg
 
Tuff fix, right there.

I would suggest filling it with epoxy and use the [bleep] out of it. And take a valuable lesson on to the next one.

Most anything you do now is going to be an obvious repair without a lot of careful and delicate work.
 
I agree with Randy. Not trying to pick on you, but at the level of fit/finish represented in that knife, you shoud use the fire out of it. Learn from the mistakes and apply the knowledge to the next knife you make. If the gap is open, you can fill it with epoxy or superglue before you use it. Part of knifemaking is learning how to make mistakes look like "design modifications," but part of it is about learning how not to make mistakes.
 
Beaster456,

I agree with the others. Lesson learned. However, don't give up on it yet. I don't know if this will work as I've never tried it but here is my idea. With a very sharp saw, carefully cut between the back side of the guard and the front of the wood scales. leave a tiny bit of space next to the guard. You can clean that up with a file later. Be careful not to damage the guard. If you can use a bench vise or something as a file guide that would help. Saw straight down to the tang also stopping just before the tang. Then go in with your file and clean up the gap as straight and clean as you can make it. When you have equally sized straight gaps on both sides fill it with black epoxy. After it sets you can file/sand it to blend in. The results should look like you used black spacers and there will be no gaps.
 
Marc has the right idea.
Occasionally I have a scale for a folder that does not meet the bolster right. It may be an expensive ivory or MOP scale, and scrapping it isn't a good option. I do exactly what he describes, carefully cut down the gap with an X-acto razor saw, making both sides the same....and epoxy in a thin piece of colored spacer ( I also dye the epoxy to match the spacer). After sanding it down it looks like I meant to do it all along.
 
Give that one to your uncle and tell him you want it "tested". Then , on your next one , if you are having a problem getting the scales real flush ,glue a very thin piece of leather onto the inside of your scales ,and bend it over and glue it on the end that goes against the guard. This thin leather liner will act as a resilient gasket and fill the void and look cool too .The thin leather liner will sand much like wood .
By the way , good form and function there !
 
Good advice here. The other option that I don't think anyone else has mentioned is to tear the handle apart and rebuild it.
 
Very good advice here. Personally, I would use a 'jewelers' saw (about $10.00) with a relatively thick blade (#3) and saw straight thru the gap to even it up. Take some spacer material and sand one side down till it is a 'press' fit into the opening, The use liquid superglue (not jell) along the top of the spacers. Tap the knife lightly and capillary action will draw the superglue throughout. Then refinish as necessary. Just another idea ...
 
Last edited:
i4Marc said:
Beaster456,

I agree with the others. Lesson learned. However, don't give up on it yet. I don't know if this will work as I've never tried it but here is my idea. With a very sharp saw, carefully cut between the back side of the guard and the front of the wood scales. leave a tiny bit of space next to the guard. You can clean that up with a file later. Be careful not to damage the guard. If you can use a bench vise or something as a file guide that would help. Saw straight down to the tang also stopping just before the tang. Then go in with your file and clean up the gap as straight and clean as you can make it. When you have equally sized straight gaps on both sides fill it with black epoxy. After it sets you can file/sand it to blend in. The results should look like you used black spacers and there will be no gaps.
Click to expand...

With the same amount of work, you could take those off, start over, and do them right. A fix on something like that is always going to look like a fix.

But I agree with Randy and Jason.... just use that one and try to improve the next one. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top