Tang / handle resin recommendations.

[mozg31337]

Hello everyone,

I would like to apply some waterproof resin / epoxy on the handle/tang connection to stop the tang from rusting in the long term. Something like what Takeda does with all/most of his knives. Could you recommend me something that I can purchase in UK / Europe?

Thanks

 

[PineWood]

You need 2 component epoxy glue. It’s easily available. Most harden in 5 mins after you mix the components but I prefer the 30 min glue.

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

I use silicone. It will flex whereas epoxy may crack or pop away from the seam.

 

[Cliff]

I've seen James, at KnS recommend silicone.



See 21:25

 

[tostadas]

Hello everyone,

I would like to apply some waterproof resin / epoxy on the handle/tang connection to stop the tang from rusting in the long term. Something like what Takeda does with all/most of his knives. Could you recommend me something that I can purchase in UK / Europe?

Thanks

Takeda uses hot glue

 

[M1k3]

I use hot glue to secure the handle on the tang. Beeswax to plug up the gap between the handle and tang.

 

[gregfisk]

I’ve used beeswax myself and that works well.

 

[shauk]

Keen to know this too, I've recently purchased a knife from JCK and can't quite figure out what glue they are using.

See photo!

 

[M1k3]

Is the stuff hard or soft?

 

[tostadas]

Keen to know this too, I've recently purchased a knife from JCK and can't quite figure out what glue they are using.

See photo!View attachment 227481

That stuff isn't glue and it isn't that deep (maybe like 2mm). It's kinda like a wood filler that they use to close the gap up after burning in. If you remove the handle that stuff will just fall off

 

[shauk]

That stuff isn't glue and it isn't that deep (maybe like 2mm). It's kinda like a wood filler that they use to close the gap up after burning in. If you remove the handle that stuff will just fall off

No way I am quite the ocd person and often wash the tang area and the handle on the sponge side of my scoure and have felt some minor wobble.

Thanks for confirming I'll probably get some hot glue and have the handle re-burned when it comes off.

Are you able to tell what they did with this one? I've used a toothpick to scratch it and it seemed hard, I really liked the finish on these Hitohiras.

 

[tostadas]

No way I am quite the ocd person and often wash the tang area and the handle on the sponge side of my scoure and have felt some minor wobble.

Thanks for confirming I'll probably get some hot glue and have the handle re-burned when it comes off.

Are you able to tell what they did with this one? I've used a toothpick to scratch it and it seemed hard, I really liked the finish on these Hitohiras.

View attachment 227487

Hard to tell but looks like hot glue.

If handle "comes off" I'd recommend filing the hole just a but so that the tang slides in easily, then reinstall using hot glue. If it wobbles though, u can always knock it off yourself and reinstall with glue.

 

[M1k3]

No way I am quite the ocd person and often wash the tang area and the handle on the sponge side of my scoure and have felt some minor wobble.

Thanks for confirming I'll probably get some hot glue and have the handle re-burned when it comes off.

Are you able to tell what they did with this one? I've used a toothpick to scratch it and it seemed hard, I really liked the finish on these Hitohiras.

View attachment 227487

If it's hard like plastic, it's epoxy.

 

[tostadas]

If a toothpick can scratch it even the slightest, then it's likely hot glue. If its too hard for the toothpick, then maybe epoxy. I've removed a bunch of handles, and have yet to see a Japanese blade come stock with an epoxy install. Unless maybe the vendor did it themselves.

 

[mozg31337]

I’ve used beeswax myself and that works well.

I've used beeswax to secure the handle on one of my knives. This was about 3-4 years ago and the handle is still keeping strong without any wobble. The beeswax has came off from the tang and handle joint on the other hand as I always wash this area and it slowly takes away the beeswax. So I was hoping for a more permanent solution. I will try the silicone to see if that will last longer.

 

[Choppin]

Quick question: do all these options allow you to remove the handle (without destroying it)?

I know beeswax does, but silicone, hot glue, epoxy...?

 

[tostadas]

Quick question: do all these options allow you to remove the handle (without destroying it)?

I know beeswax does, but silicone, hot glue, epoxy...?

Beeswax, yes
Silicone, yes (but I have mainly seen this used as a sealant rather than a way to actually secure the handle)
Hot glue, yes
Epoxy, no

 

[Choppin]

Beeswax, yes
Silicone, yes (but I have mainly seen this used as a sealant rather than a way to actually secure the handle)
Hot glue, yes
Epoxy, no

Perfect, thanks!

 

[PineWood]

Any of the mentioned methods will work but OP asked to seal the tang hole the way Takeda does it. FYI it looks like this:

I was convinced it is epoxy but it may well be hotglue since I am able to make a little dent in it with my fingernail.

 

[M1k3]

Any of the mentioned methods will work but OP asked to seal the tang hole the way Takeda does it. FYI it looks like this:
View attachment 227648
I was convinced it is epoxy but it may well be hotglue since I am able to make a little dent in it with my fingernail.

Yeah, that sounds like hot glue.

 

[cotedupy]

If a toothpick can scratch it even the slightest, then it's likely hot glue. If its too hard for the toothpick, then maybe epoxy. I've removed a bunch of handles, and have yet to see a Japanese blade come stock with an epoxy install. Unless maybe the vendor did it themselves.

I've seen a few. My Maz petty was so firmly stuck in that eventually I just had to break the ho wood apart. Which is actually the only time I've had to break an epoxy-ed handle I think. There are ways of removing them normally, but it's not desperately easy.

Weirdly the wood around the tang looked like it had also been burnt in. So perhaps an initial attempt hadn't gone quite right and they resorted to epoxy...

 

[mozg31337]

Thank you for so many answers and suggestions. much appreciated.

 

[mozg31337]

Oh, forgot to ask. What type of silicone should I use? I guess something none toxic.

 

[McMan]

Oh, forgot to ask. What type of silicone should I use? I guess something none toxic.

There's NSF/USDA foodsafe silicone.
https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Gra...f8-bce6-200103096afc&pd_rd_i=B00NU6VN6G&psc=1

 

[Choppin]

Which is actually the only time I've had to break an epoxy-ed handle I think. There are ways of removing them normally, but it's not desperately easy.

Could you go into more detail here? How would one proceed to remove an epoxy-ed handle?

I sort of gave up removing one such handle without even trying so your experience could be helpful...