Thread: Need a little help with a wedge.

Hello,

Im making my first wedge and its a little more difficult then expected. I made the first one out of cocobolo but it kept splitting, then I tried linen micarta. The micarta was a lot easier to use but Im not sure if the angle on the wedge is right. Is the razor supposed to touch the scales right behind the heel at the tang or only at the toe of the razor?

Thanks,

Chris

If you split your wedge, something was off. Maybe the pin hole isn't quite large enough or you bent your pin. Remember, gentle taps...but a lot of them.

How about a pic first to fully understand what you are talking about. The angle of the scales could be off, wedge not wide enough, or could be just fine. Without a pic, it's hard to tell...sorry.

Its normal for the tang of the razor to touch the scales.
Grant

Originally Posted by socalkid

Hello,

Im making my first wedge and its a little more difficult then expected. I made the first one out of cocobolo but it kept splitting,

Chris

Um..ok so how thin where your cocobolo and what was the exterior coating made out of?
Also at what point did your Scales break, when you drilled or applied the pins? I am about to do my own set and wondering what to do or not to do!!!!

Originally Posted by TDITim

Um..ok so how thin where your cocobolo and what was the exterior coating made out of?
Also at what point did your Scales break, when you drilled or applied the pins? I am about to do my own set and wondering what to do or not to do!!!!

TDITim,

The scales didnt break, the wedge broke when I was sanding it down into its wedge shape. I think I was making the wedge too thin. Making the scales out of cocobolo was really east and it sanded really well. I used 1/8" and started on a 1x30 belt sander with a 180 grit belt. Then hand sanded them with 220. You'll have no problem working with it.

Good luck,

Chris

Originally Posted by baldy

Its normal for the tang of the razor to touch the scales.
Grant

Grant,

Ok good. I couldn't get the wedge angle right because I thought the blade was only suppose to touch the scales at the toe.

Thanks,

Chris

Originally Posted by shooter74743

If you split your wedge, something was off. Maybe the pin hole isn't quite large enough or you bent your pin. Remember, gentle taps...but a lot of them.

How about a pic first to fully understand what you are talking about. The angle of the scales could be off, wedge not wide enough, or could be just fine. Without a pic, it's hard to tell...sorry.

Shooter,

I think I have it all figured out :-) It was because I was sanding the wedge too thin then when I went to cut it to the shape of the scales it was cracking along the grain.

Thanks,

Chris

Oh....I have already made about 6 cocobolo scales and they have turned out great...Only thing I am working on....is the coating.....When you say wedge you must be refering to the peace that spaces them, correct? I am still learning things. I tried the wrong kind of Epoxy first making lots of bubbles and lumps....lol And the Urethanes don't work, just gum up....but I am do the Super Glue Trick...so far so good

Originally Posted by TDITim

Oh....I have already made about 6 cocobolo scales and they have turned out great...Only thing I am working on....is the coating.....When you say wedge you must be refering to the peace that spaces them, correct? I am still learning things. I tried the wrong kind of Epoxy first making lots of bubbles and lumps....lol And the Urethanes don't work, just gum up....but I am do the Super Glue Trick...so far so good

TDITim,

Yeah the wedge is the spacing thing. Im also doing the ca (superglue) finish on mine. Its not to bad but it takes alot of time. Im probably going to do epoxy finishes from now on. Its a lot less work and time compared to ca. If you've never worked with g10, linen micarta, canvas micarta or paper micarta you should check it out. Its soooooooooo much less work then wood and you dont have to put a finish on it if you dont want. It comes is every color imaginable and is much more durable then wood. If you need any tips on g10 or micarata PM and I help you out, I use it a lot on knife scales. Oh g10 dust is really bad for the lungs so if you dont have a good respirator then stick to micarta.

Have a good one,

Chris

the tang should not be touching the scales, can take pics of how the blade sits between the scales?