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Post by fantasyfarm on Aug 9, 2019 10:59:35 GMT
Hello guys! This is my first thread on here so be gentle! i bought a hanwei banshee back in the day and have thrown around the idea of changing its handle. I've seen people talk about doing this but no evidence of people actually completing one. If i do this it will be my first sword customization so naturally i have a couple of question. Ive thought about doing a horse stall mat handle. Basically what would be the steps to go about doing this? The material I'm buying is the rubber from USA Knife Makers 11.5"x11.5"x5/8". What technique would be the best using this material as my handle? In the pic you can see the tang is not the same height as the blade and that confuses me on how to use the horse stall mat. Attachments:
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Post by paulmuaddib on Aug 9, 2019 14:51:19 GMT
Just got a banshee a few weeks ago. Have read reviews saying people don’t like the round part of grip near pommel end. So far it doesn’t bother me. Looked up horse stall mats, didn’t know such a thing existed. Don’t know how you would make a grip out of it. Never worked with rubber like that before. With wood I think you would want to make it like a katana handle, cut channels on each side of wood and use rivets or screw/bolts (not sure what the ones I’m thinking of are called)to attach to tang. Good luck
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Aug 9, 2019 15:04:56 GMT
I've never worked with rubber for a handle... But I have used it making shoe soles etc. I'd say find whatever glue they recommend to use on it, and if it's really thick, dig/chisel a channel in it and glue the top layer on. Getting it rough shaped will be easy, but fine sanding...rubber? NO IDEA. Also, remember your pommel and cross pieces need to fit as closely as possible. There's some tutorials and thoughts of wisdom in the sword customization category, dig a bit and you'll get some ideas. But you may have a fist on the boards, I don't think anyone has used rubber yet...
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Post by fantasyfarm on Aug 11, 2019 0:24:19 GMT
What epoxy would be good for rubber to metal bonding? Cant find much info about using this material.
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Post by MOK on Aug 11, 2019 8:39:02 GMT
You mean this, right? usaknifemaker.com/horse-stall-mat-recycled-rubber-12-x12-x5-8.htmlIt's effectively tire treads. You can shape it with regular tools, mostly very sharp knives and chisels and sandpapers; I'd avoid power tools as they can produce enough heat to melt the rubber and make a big stinking mess. You also have to pay close attention while carving it because it's very tough and elastic and flexes a little as you cut, which can mess things up if you fail to take it into account. I'd make it just like a wooden handle, in two halves. Carve out the channels for the tang to fit in, drill the holes for the pin, carve and sand the outside to shape, roughen the insides and the tang, glue everything together, pin everything together. I think a metal plate, tube or cap for a bolster at either end, or at least at the guard, would be a good idea.
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Post by MOK on Aug 11, 2019 8:48:41 GMT
..OR you could make it a stacked grip! Just like stacked leather or birch bark. Cut the rubber into pieces, drill a (slightly too small) hole for the tang to pass through each and every one, fit a guard plate on the blade, and stack the rubber patches on the tang like you were making kebab! Then compress the whole thing with a screw-on butt plate and sand it to shape. PS. Just like this!
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Aug 11, 2019 9:21:34 GMT
I just simply wraped my banshee grip with Wilson tape. Better now, a bit thicker and much more grippy. I needed two bands an I got an a little bit thicker "ring" in the overlapping area in the middle. Very comfy when gripping with single hand there. Sorry, no ideas for the rubber mats.
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Post by fantasyfarm on Aug 12, 2019 10:52:54 GMT
..OR you could make it a stacked grip! Just like stacked leather or birch bark. Cut the rubber into pieces, drill a (slightly too small) hole for the tang to pass through each and every one, fit a guard plate on the blade, and stack the rubber patches on the tang like you were making kebab! Then compress the whole thing with a screw-on butt plate and sand it to shape. PS. Just like this!OOOO! i never gave this method a thought. I may do this, it almost seems like it could possibly give me a more reliable handle. I was worried that the two halves method would come apart down its half line. Would your typical knife making epoxy work or would there be one more suitable for using the rubber?
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Post by MOK on Aug 12, 2019 11:38:50 GMT
Oh yeah, for rubber-to-rubber you should use vulcanizing cement. It effectively welds the pieces together.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Aug 12, 2019 22:08:46 GMT
100% agree with the stacked method. I've made many new, and restored many old. It works, it's tough, and it's pretty easy. I think you'll be happier with this style than two slabs of rubber.
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Post by fantasyfarm on Aug 13, 2019 10:43:43 GMT
Yea for sure, i was debating which one but I'm for sure doing the stacked method now. It definitely feel for long term durability stacked for this project would be the way to go. Thank you guys for the idea, i definitely post some pics when i get it finished if its not to ugly!!!........About the adhesive though, does anybody know specifically what glue they would use for this project? vulcanizing glue makes since to me but all i find when i google it is mainly tire tube cement, that would work rubber too rubber but what about the rubber to metal?
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Aug 13, 2019 21:51:24 GMT
If the grip you make is a good tight fit, you shouldn't need it to stick to the tang. If it's loose, or there are gaps---just use epoxy to fill it before you do the final assembly of the sword. Peened or threaded pommel should not really make any difference. Compression will most likely take care of any issues.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Aug 13, 2019 21:57:52 GMT
A bit of advice: When trying a new product like glue or epoxy for a project like this, always test it on something first that is the same material as your project. See what it will and won't do. Experimentation is fun and worthwhile, and can REALLY help you avoid dumb mistakes in the long run. I say this BECAUSE of dumb mistakes.
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