WinterBear Report post Posted October 24, 2011 Well, I've been poking around and managed to obtain a nice little Osborn head knife about 3 3/4 inches across, just right for my hand and weaker wrist. The tang isn't pinned though, it's just one that was wedged in and held more-or-less in place with the collet and the wood of the handle. The handle is is pretty good shape, no rot or cracks, the tang has just wiggled loose from it due to wear and the wood drying out over the years. The collet is intact and the tang is unrusted and undamaged. I do need to secure the head, so it can be a user, but I'd prefer to keep it's intrinsic "worth" if I might. From what I've seen, the options are to epoxy it in, or drill and pin with a brass rod. Which method would be best? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cgleather Report post Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) Well, I've been poking around and managed to obtain a nice little Osborn head knife about 3 3/4 inches across, just right for my hand and weaker wrist. The tang isn't pinned though, it's just one that was wedged in and held more-or-less in place with the collet and the wood of the handle. The handle is is pretty good shape, no rot or cracks, the tang has just wiggled loose from it due to wear and the wood drying out over the years. The collet is intact and the tang is unrusted and undamaged. I do need to secure the head, so it can be a user, but I'd prefer to keep it's intrinsic "worth" if I might. From what I've seen, the options are to epoxy it in, or drill and pin with a brass rod. Which method would be best? I would epoxy and pin it as well. A drill press does the best job for me. I use 1/8 th inch brass rod. Heat a section long enough to pass through and stick out about 1/8 th of a inch on each side of the handle. When it is red hot dip it in water, this will aneal the brass and make it soft. Put a small counter sink in each side of the hole drilled through the handle and tang, keep the couner sinks small. Now install the pin and peen it until it mushrooms into the counter sinks and is snug (don't peen to much or you could crack the handle just till it is snug). File and sand until flush with the wood. It sounds like a pain but it doesn't take that long and it will look like it was done at the factory when you are finished. I have done three or four this way with good results. Edited October 24, 2011 by cgleather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted October 24, 2011 On mine i used JB Weld in the handle and it has worked fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
