Repair rubber handled knives?

[walkerc68]

Ok, I think I have a good one for you guys. I used to own a Ka-Bar traditional fighting knife in the late 80's. When out one day conducting some training with my squad, we set up a VERY hasty ambush against another squad. It was opportunity training, all we had were some blanks. So to do something to initiate, I propped a smoke grenade against a tree, ran a quick trip wire across the trail, and held it in place with my Ka-Bar. It went well, we all got some training out of it but in the end, the leather handle of my knife was ruined. Burned almost to the narrow tang core.

I now own a Gerber LMF II, and used to have a SOG knife. Both have rubber coated handles. Like my Ka-Bar in the past, I wonder if it would be totally ruined if something happened to the rubber handle. Is there any way to repair these in case of catastrophic damage?

Mt Gerber is now tucked away in my Jeep in my BOB, you know, just in case. My primary big blade now is Becker BK2, next will be a BK7. If something happens to the handles on these, I can just order new ones.

Just wondering if any of you know of a solution for those who have rubber handle knives.

Thanks
Craig Walker

 

[stitchawl]

There is a wonderful new product on the market called "Sugru." (http://sugru.com) It's a moldable silicon rubber that is very easy to work into any shape you wish, and hardens to a somewhat flexible rubber. It adheres well to most things. I've been experimenting with it, molding customized grips for fencing weapons, and it seems to work very well. It may work for you too.


Stitchawl

 

[stitchawl]

There is a wonderful new product on the market called "Sugru." (http://sugru.com) It's a moldable silicon rubber that is very easy to work into any shape you wish, and hardens to a somewhat flexible rubber. It adheres well to most things. I've been experimenting with it, molding customized grips for fencing weapons, and it seems to work very well. It may work for you too.


Stitchawl

Edited to show examples of the silicon rubber addition. This was the first one I did, and didn't bother to blend in the edges as I wanted to try the bonding strength. It would NOT simply peel off. I had made some other silicone rubber molding compound by mixing silicone sealant and corn starch, which did mold well, cured to a more spongy compound, but peeled away from the grip very easily. It wouldn't hold up under combat conditions the way that this Sugru will.


Stitchawl

 

[mete]

Stitchawl, how long have you used that foil ? I know silicone compounds can be tough [I have a doormat that proves it ] but I wonder about the silicone /to other materials bond.

 

[stitchawl]

Stitchawl, how long have you used that foil ? I know silicone compounds can be tough [I have a doormat that proves it ] but I wonder about the silicone /to other materials bond.

At this point, about 10 hours of fencing. However, "Leon Paul" of London is now selling a skeletonized pistol grip with packages of Sugru in a kit. That's what gave me the idea to try it with some of my spare grips. To date, I've modified a Holland grip (this one pictured, somewhat similar to a Belgian grip,) and a Russian grip. I'm inclined to say that I'll like the Russian modification better as it's roomier and allows more finger play, but I won't really know until tomorrow when my club meets again. I just modded the Russian handle two days ago, and it takes a good 2-3 days for the thicker layers of Sugru to cure completely.

On an earlier attempt, I discovered that this cured Sugru is extremely easy to carve into shape, and quite tenacious. Once I cut it as close to the grip as possible, it took some hard scraping to get it to come completely clean. The company claims that this product will bond to most things other than certain plastics. It sure bonds well to rubbers and metals. That much I can say for certain!


Stitchawl

 

[jobasha11]

So the handle was burned off? I'd be more worried about the temper than the handle.

 

[Portman30-06]

Don't try that spray rubber. Unless you wish to wrap it. I thought it would make nice handles but they just get all sticky. I would try the product mentioned by stitchawl. I've seen it before.

 

[mete]

Stitchawl, I asked because the old , old rule for painting or gluing on a polished surface is to roughen the surface so there can be some grip.
The problem with things like tools, knives, pistols etch that have finger grooves is that if they fit YOUR fingers maybe OK. If they don't fit it may be terrible .SUGRU looks like a good thing to make it fit.
I was an epee fencer for years and loved every minute. A fine sport for sure !!

 

[ziggy925]

I could be way off here, but what about wrapping your handles with the same grip wrap they use on tennis racquets? You could also use a grip overwrap. I've never done this to a knife, but they work great on my racquets. Cheap and easy to remove.

 

[stitchawl]

Stitchawl, I asked because the old , old rule for painting or gluing on a polished surface is to roughen the surface so there can be some grip.

The surface of the grips is slightly textured, but just to be on the safe side I followed the directions from the Sugru company which suggested that one smears a small amount of the compound onto the surface and then press the remainder onto that. It seems to be very tenacious stuff, and won't peel away on its own. (The home-made stuff I made from silicone sealant and corn starch did peel away easily. I'm testing that now using unmixed sealant to see if that will bond the hardened mold back to a grip effectively.) I made a hook for the side of my refrigerator (very smooth) just pressing the Sugru on, and it's stuck tight!

The problem with things like tools, knives, pistols etch that have finger grooves is that if they fit YOUR fingers maybe OK. If they don't fit it may be terrible .SUGRU looks like a good thing to make it fit.

I learned a good lesson with the first grip I customized, in that I didn't leave quite enough room for my fencing glove. However, Sugru carves very easily, and I was able to create perfect finger spacing with just a craft knife and 10 minutes work.

I was an epee fencer for years and loved every minute. A fine sport for sure !!

I fence Sabre, Epée, and Foil, and have since I was a teenager. It's a great combat sport! There is a major International competition sponsored by the Royal Thai Navy in June, and I'm training for that now. The newest FIE regulations stipulate that Epée handles be completely bare (not even painted,) but the Leon Paul people are petitioning for a waiver for their new grip. This tournament isn't FIE-sponsored so I'll be able to use modified grips on my Epée, and I've got two more months to train with these new handles to be ready.

Stitchawl

 

[stitchawl]

Just a quick update...

I fenced hard for four hours yesterday, using both Epée and foil with modified grips. The Sugru held firm to the bare Epée grip as well as the painted foil grip. It was as if they had been made that way at the factory.

I wouldn't hesitate to use this product for any modifications requiring a firm rubber, unless trying to attach it to Kydex, polyethylene or polystyrene, or vinyl. It won't stick to those.


Stitchawl