Best way to remove a stubborn/epoxied Wa handle?

[Gongoozler]

I have a TF Nashiji Gyuto that I want to swap the handle on. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to remove the handle with my normal method of 15-20 minutes in a 190F oven. That leads me to believe the handle is probably epoxied in place.

I have a bench vise, a jigsaw, and a Dremmel. Should I be able to get the handle off with what I have or is there another tool I should look to acquire?

 

[Stevem627]

Chisels are usually a good help in a case like this

 

[HSC /// Knives]

why not 350°F and a mallet?

 

[Gongoozler]

Chisels are usually a good help in a case like this

I’m assuming the chisel would be held up against the front of the handle and hammered toward the rear of the knife?

 

[Gongoozler]

why not 350°F and a mallet?

I wasn’t really sure how hot of an oven would be safe for the steel’s heat treat, etc.

 

[Stevem627]

Yes, aim for front to rear. It works good. I wish they wouldn’t ever use epoxy to glue handles. I don’t work in a hot kitchen ever, so I use beeswax now so I can swap a handle easily if I’m not happy with the balance.

 

[deltaplex]

I have a TF Nashiji Gyuto that I want to swap the handle on. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to remove the handle with my normal method of 15-20 minutes in a 190F oven. That leads me to believe the handle is probably epoxied in place.

I have a bench vise, a jigsaw, and a Dremmel. Should I be able to get the handle off with what I have or is there another tool I should look to acquire?

Is the normal method just keeping in it an oven and then then handle slips off?

 

[HSC /// Knives]

I wasn’t really sure how hot of an oven would be safe for the steel’s heat treat, etc.

what is the core steel?

 

[Gongoozler]

Yes, aim for front to rear. It works good. I wish they wouldn’t ever use epoxy to glue handles. I don’t work in a hot kitchen ever, so I use beeswax now so I can swap a handle easily if I’m not happy with the balance.

That’s what I’ve been using as well

 

[WhilemyKnifeGentlyWeeps]

I have a TF Nashiji Gyuto that I want to swap the handle on. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to remove the handle with my normal method of 15-20 minutes in a 190F oven. That leads me to believe the handle is probably epoxied in place.

I have a bench vise, a jigsaw, and a Dremmel. Should I be able to get the handle off with what I have or is there another tool I should look to acquire?

I recently removed an epoxied handle from a knife; I tried to use different forms of heat: oven and boiling water, and neither budged an inch. I came to terms with the fact it had to be destroyed.

If you are okay with trashing the old handle and to avoid scratching the blade with a chisel, I just crushed the handle in my vice but do it slowly and listen closely. Then chisel away whatever remains epoxied to the tang.

 

[Gongoozler]

what is the core steel?

White #1

Is the normal method just keeping in it an oven and then then handle slips off?

Yep. Sometimes needs a good amount of pulling force, but yep.

 

[Gongoozler]

I recently removed an epoxied handle from a knife; I tried to use different forms of heat: oven and boiling water, and neither budged an inch. I came to terms with the fact it had to be destroyed.

If you are okay with trashing the old handle and to avoid scratching the blade with a chisel, I just crushed the handle in my vice but do it slowly and listen closely. Then chisel away whatever remains epoxied to the tang.

I hate the handle and have zero issues with it being banished to the pits of hell forever (I hate D handles so much lol)

I’ll try this crushing technique first, sounds like a solid plan.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

White #1

Yep. Sometimes needs a good amount of pulling force, but yep.

Lay a flat board (longer than the blade) along the blade and butted against the handle. Smack the end of the board with a hammer after heating.

I make a cardboard saya to slip on just before smacking the board.

 

[Gongoozler]

Lay a flat board (longer than the blade) along the blade and butted against the handle. Smack the end of the board with a hammer after heating.

I make a cardboard saya to slip on just before smacking the board.

I failed to mention I tried this as well

 

[HSC /// Knives]

White #1

Yep. Sometimes needs a good amount of pulling force, but yep.

so go., 300°F and do like @HumbleHomeCook said

 

[birdsfan]

I am late to the party on this one....

I use a toaster oven. I use a cardboard saya and stick the handle in the oven, while the blade sticks out the front. I have gone as high as about 300 F. After 10 minutes I use the board and mallet. Only once did I fail to remove a handle, and it was an after market handle that was obviously epoxied on.

 

[cotedupy]

The really foolproof way is to naked boil the handle. Put it in a kettle on a rolling boil for 5 mins and then pull and twist. Shock force (ie hammer and mallet method) doesn't work so well on epoxy bonds, what you need is torsion.

I'd be very wary of heating something to 300+ degs f if you don't know the temperature of the temper.

 

[Just a DK]

if destroying I just use a small saw and flathead screwdriver.

Make small saw cut at the heel along grain in the middle, use screwdriver to pry the butt of wood. Usually the wood splits along tang quite easily.

Remaining debris can be pried off easily (avoid tang) with screwdriver / sanded off.

 

[KasumiJLA]

I use my bandsaw to cut as close to the tang as possible. Then I wrap the blade in a cloth to protect the surface and place it in my vise to remove what is left on the tang. It's still a pain to do but it's what works best for me. Luckily I've only done this 3 times

 

[Gongoozler]

I ended up using my jigsaw and a flat head screwdriver. The D handle has been banished.

 

[Gongoozler]

Handle swap completed!