Cross Your Fingers

[Bruceter]

Allright,

I have the following items out on my workbench.

A Spyderco Stretch

Two slices of some nice english walnut (with a very nice grain) about .050" thick.

Various and sundry tools.

All I have to do now is get the kraton inserts out of the handles. (I think this will be the easy part) And get the walnut into the handles. (I'm sure that this will be the hard part.)

Anybody have any thoughts on how I should finish/seal the walnut inserts? I'm thinking about getting them cut out in the shape that I need, sealing them with several coats of a hi gloss polyuerethane, and then, glueing them into the knife.

Wish me luck,

Bruceter

[Pete1977]

If you can pull that off you better post some pics


pete

[Harry White]

sorry, i can't help. but i would also love to see some pics if you do that. i have wondered about doing a similar mod on a knife for practice soon (not on a spidie though, not the first time!), and i'd be curious to see how it works out for you. have you done a lot of modifications on your knives?

[Axlis]

I can't wait to hear about the results Bruceter, sounds like you've got a good idea going on.

[Bruceter]

I will post some pictures when I get this done. Don't expect anything soon though!
I have done some minor mod's on knives, and put some handles on some blades that I bought. But, this will be the first time trying something like this.

Bruceter

[spydutch]

Good luck on this one Bruceter

I'm very curious about the result

[dialex]

Hi and good luck Bruceter. Don't forget to come back and tell us (read "show us") the result

[Woody]

Finish... HUM...... If it were me I think I would use toung oil.... About 4-6 coats buffed between... You can also add oil in the later months / years to bring the finish back to life very easly....... Good luck.... be sure to post picks when done...

[awacs]

Bruceter,

As a woodworker and knife appreciator, let me make 2 suggestions.

One. Please do not bury that beautiful walnut under several layers of plastic. That's essentially what the poly finish will do. There is a definite advantage to poly, granted - it'll stand up to anything. It also won't feel like wood. If you want wood to be wood, try first a light coat of oil. Boiled linseed oil (note: use boiled. The raw stuff never dries!), applied lightly and given a few days to penetrate, will bring out the figure and color. Then, for a little protection, try shellac. Orange or garnet tends to give walnut a nice, dark-but-warm look, or you could use the blonde stuff if you're worried about color changes. Apply 2 or 3 light coats, go at it with 0000 steel wool in between and after. That'll get a satin finish. If you like gloss, there are techniques to bring shellac up to a gloss finish.

Or go with poly if you must - it's easier, I'll give it that.

Two. Post pics!

Good luck,
Aram

[TheKnifeCollector]

Consider my fingers crossed!!

[smcfalls13]

Wood inlays on a stretch?

That's gonna be tough to do, but it'll look awesome when all is said and done.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Bruceter]

Hi Guys,

I removed the kraton inserts last night. I'll see if I can get some pic's up tonight, just have to get my scanner hooked up to my new computer.

AWACS, I am going to try some oil instead of poly. Any thoughts on what I should use to glue it in with? Would you glue the insert in and then apply the finish?

TIA

Bruceter

[awacs]

Hi Guys,

AWACS, I am going to try some oil instead of poly. Any thoughts on what I should use to glue it in with? Would you glue the insert in and then apply the finish?

TIA

Bruceter

Bruceter,

I've been thinnking about my post. I feel like I should clarify a couple things. First, I'm not a pro woodworker, just a hobbiest furniture maker. Second, I'm really just stating my preference. It's your knife.

After I posted, I realized the more obvious (easy) solution. You might try using Seal A Cell and Arm R Seal (made by General Finishes, and both easy to find). The oils bring out the color and figure, and the urethane gaves some protectiveness. Wiped on in thin coats, it has a pretty nice feel to it. Try it on a scrap piece, see what you think.

I'm not a glue expert. I've heard Gorilla glue is good for metal to wood. I'm really not an expert. You might ask over at bladeforums.

Enjoy,
Aram

[yablanowitz]

I used Devcon epoxy to glue the slabs on an UGLY work knife I made about 12 years ago. They are still in place, with no pins, after rattling around in the truck tool box in a duck tape sheath (I said it was ugly ) for several years.

[STR]

Rough up the insides first and if you have a way to make some minor undercuts, or inverted cone type slots partially into the surface it will add a great deal of retention for you. Then use epoxy to glue it down. I'd use a clear myself.

STR

[Bruceter]

Thanks for the help guys,

I think I'll get some clear epoxy and try that. I'm going to fit and finish the inserts and let them dry/cure for a good bit before I glue them into the knife.

Bruceter