Knifemaking Fix?

[CastIronCook2]

The hubbest, new to knifemaking, added a handcrafted bird's-eye maple handle to a clip-point hunter blade (some people would call it a small Bowie), whereupon the maple handle split between the rivet and the guard on one side.

"Honey," I reminded him, "every problem contains the seeds of an opportunity."

That brought to mind the time I was looking for a craftsman to fashion for the hubbest a bolo tie using two fine bear teeth he'd saved back. His had not split, but many teeth the craftsman worked with HAD split. The artist had solved this problem by incorporating into the splits a composite of ground turquoise and epoxy. The results were beyond stunning.

Hubbest is going to try this ploy on the split maple handle. Has any among you had experience with such crafting? We'd appreciate any input you may have to offer.

[flatwater]

When he does this make sure to make a groove where the split is about an eighth inch deep. Then first apoxy the split with regular apoxy and clamp tight. Then poor in the mixed apoxy in the grove

[CastIronCook2]

Thanks, flatwater. Good advice.

[ArmySGT.]

When he does this make sure to make a groove where the split is about an eighth inch deep. Then first apoxy the split with regular apoxy and clamp tight. Then poor in the mixed apoxy in the grove

or Option B
mix clear two part epoxy and pour into the split with a little dam made of modeling clay to hold it in there. The dam needs only be the size of the split, maybe even coat the rest of the handle with Kiwi neutral so none of the epoxy sticks where you don't want it. 24 hours later reome the dam and polish the epoxy down, at 600 grit it should be clear like glass. Then you can see "into" the handle. This applies to two part epoxies that can be made very thin and runny like acraglass.

[CastIronCook2]

That is a very good suggestion. Thanks for your response!

[Pitdog]

Times two on three on the acraglass. I helped a student with a maple tap root fore end tip on a AAA grade Walnut stock for a Kimber rifle in school- the Maple Tap root is orange but VERY pourous and had the tiniest of voids everywhere. We soaked that puppy in acraglass until it had abosrbed all it could, then polished it down and like Sarge said- you can see into it.
If he uses wood in the future, I'd suggest soaking it in acraglass prior to installing it, or drilling it, as it will absorb it and make it much stronger.

[glocker21]

Here is somethinbg I have done in the past. IF you are not done sanding the handle take a clean white piece of paper and hand sand the handle a bit over the white paper, once you have a small pile you csan then mix the epoxy with the wood dust and you will then have the "proper" coloriing for the handle. Add the mix to the crack, tamp it in the crack gently with a tooth pick and then fill as needed. Once this is done and the epoxy has set fully you can then do your final sanding