stabilized knife scales at home--

[Rick Enos]

Its almost done.I stabilized the wooden scales at home & it worked out very nice.I beleive the wood is ?? Tulip wood or something like that.??

 

[DANA HOLMAN]

thats nice rick, tell us how you did it and show some pictures of the hole knife
dana

[oldpaths]

Very nice!and I second Dana's request.

[Rick Enos]

I tried to put on 3 pics but it will only put 1 on.I will post a picture of the whole knife.First I will explain how I stabilized the scales.I got a (1)large coffe can(2) a small glass jar just large enough to hold a quart of Minwax wood hardener & your knife scales)Min Wax wood hardener(Home Depot)Dump the hardener in the jar.....2/3rds full---Punch a very small hole in the bottom of the coffe can----put the jar with the scales in  in the can & put the top on the jar loosly!!!!!!....get some boiling water & start putting the boiling water in the coffe can.The water will slowly seep thru the bottom of the can--so keep it full of hot water for about 1/2 hour.When the glass jar gets really hot to touch & after 1/2 hour take the jar out of the coffee can and tighten the lid of the jar very tight & let it sit for 24 hours.Walla stabilized knife scales.I made 2 sets of scales & was afraid they would warp until dry so I put them all togeather with 2 C-clamps & tightened them very tight & it did not leave the slightest impression very hard & beautiful...The Min-wax hardener is very flamible so dont heat with anything but water...Let me know how you make out.Now I will try & post a picture of the whole knife.

 

Its not buffed or sharpened yet..Let me know how things go.Rick

[Rick Enos]

I watched this done while browsing around on You-tube & found a guy that demonstrated this.I made the mosaic pins also..Just trying to save a little money if I can.The vidio demo said to leave the scales in the jar for a week but I didn't think that was necessary.24 hours in my opinion is enough...

[Rick Enos]

I will post another pic. of the things I used.

 

When your done with the scales just store the hardener in your jar until you need to stabilize again....

[Rick Enos]

It will fizz and bubble when the hardener gets hot It just the pours of the wood filling up.I'm horrible at explaining things so I hope it works out..Rick...

[Rick Enos]

Also my scales were 3/8 of an inch thick..Not sure if the hardener would go all the way thru the wood if they were thicker than 1/2 "....

[Idahomike251]

Wow! What a great piece of information. Thank you Rick, for sharing this information.  Best regards, Mike from Boise.