All About Pocket Knives

Not so great repair to my Case XX fishing knife (1920-40 date tang stamp). The scales had shrunk down and I tried to fill one side in first, then I would do the other side. I used a 2-part epoxy mixed with some paint I tried to match but the color ended up off from the color of the scales. The epoxy ended up too lumpy to look smooth. I left the back side alone for now pending other options. Should I have left it alone?

It`s a start. Now get your sandpaper out and make it smooth. Polish the bolster after you finish the scale and let's see it then. Mike

I too have tried adding acrylic paint to color epoxy and had it get lumpy and granular. Must be some chemical incompatibility. Probably need to replace those scales.

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 2:14 am I too have tried adding acrylic paint to color epoxy and had it get lumpy and granular. Must be some chemical incompatibility. Probably need to replace those scales.

I agree with O.C. New scales would definitely be the best bet. Here are pics of a couple of similar knives that I redid in yellow composite some time ago. I got this material from Kaleb's store (aka Muskratman). I don't know if he still has any left.

Stag always looks good on a fishing knife. This is a KA-BAR that I redid a while back.

Desert Golfer wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 1:03 am It`s a start. Now getlour sandpaper out and make it smooth. Polish the bolster after you finish the scale and let's see it then. Mike

Agree 100 %. Make it very smooth and buff if necessary. Get the bolster
to shine. The knife will look fine.

If you are in inclined, put some new handles on it later.

Bob

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 1:01 pm Stag always looks good on a fishing knife. This is a KA-BAR that I redid a while back.
20230524_075702.jpg

Wow ! that turned out beautifully done!

rea1eye wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 6:46 pm

Desert Golfer wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 1:03 am It`s a start. Now getlour sandpaper out and make it smooth. Polish the bolster after you finish the scale and let's see it then. Mike

Agree 100 %. Make it very smooth and buff if necessary. Get the bolster
to shine. The knife will look fine.

If you are in inclined, put some new handles on it later.

Bob

Thanks for the advice Bob

herbva wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 10:53 am

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 2:14 am I too have tried adding acrylic paint to color epoxy and had it get lumpy and granular. Must be some chemical incompatibility. Probably need to replace those scales.

I agree with O.C. New scales would definitely be the best bet. Here are pics of a couple of similar knives that I redid in yellow composite some time ago. I got this material from Kaleb's store (aka Muskratman). I don't know if he still has any left.

Looks great!! I'll look at Kaleb's store (aka Muskratman) Thanks

Instead of paint, add epoxy and wood dust or bone dust or whatever dust matches your color. Use a belt sander to create the dust. It's an old luthier's trick for filling fingerboard dents on guitars and banjos. If done properly it is invisible. O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 1:28 pm Instead of paint, add epoxy and wood dust or bone dust or whatever dust matches your color. Use a belt sander to create the dust. It's an old luthier's trick for filling fingerboard dents on guitars and banjos. If done properly it is invisible. O'.

That's a good idea thanks! I have tried something like this before, with coffee grounds and it worked nicely. It just seems like the coffee grounds are all the same color... so, wood dust or bone dust should do the trick...

Should have mentioned, use a good mask or respirator when creating the dust. Bone and some woods can be irritating to respiratory tissue.