Will need
We use a method that does not require special skills and knowledge from us, and at the same time, its implementation will take literally a few minutes. To work, we need, first of all, polymorphus – self-hardening thermoplastic, which when heated (65 degrees Celsius is enough) becomes plastic, and when cooled it hardens, acquiring all the properties of plastic: hardness, elasticity and at the same time very high strength. Read more about this miracle material here - https://enn.washerhouse.com/5097-termoplastik-samozatverdevajuschij-material-dlja-remonta-i-tvorchestva.html
You can buy super plastic at Ali Express at a very attractive price -
Additionally we will need:
- metal part of the knife (blade and shank);
- sandpaper and napkins;
- two containers for hot and cold water;
- a source for heating water, for example an electric kettle;
- hammer.
The procedure for molding a knife handle
We tidy up the metal part of the knife: remove the remains of the old handle, clean the oxidized areas with sandpaper and wipe with paper or cloth napkins. It also doesn’t hurt to degrease the shank with alcohol or another fast-evaporating agent.
We pour superplastic into a container (but not into a plastic one - it sticks to it) and fill it with hot water heated to a temperature of at least 65 degrees Celsius.
Lightly stir (deform) the mass, using the tip of the shank, until the entire volume of plastic becomes transparent.
Carefully remove the softened plastic from the water and immediately begin to form a handle on the shank of the knife.
It can be given any desired shape, for example, anatomically corresponding to the hand of a clenched hand. To do this, it is enough to grasp the softened plastic applied along the entire length of the shank with your fingers and hold them in a compressed position for some time.
It is also necessary to form the guard and the butt (end) - respectively, the front stop and the back of the handle. They are needed for safety and convenience of working with cutting tools.
In order for the polymorphus handle formed on the shank of the knife to cool faster, it can be lowered into a container with cold water.
As this plastic cools down, it shrinks slightly, so the new handle will “sit” very securely on the shank of the knife without additional devices.
Handle strength test
The fact that the handle has completely cooled down and acquired maximum strength is indicated by color - it loses its transparency and becomes white. The handle can then be subjected to various tests to check its strength.
We hit the handle on a hard surface and even hit it with a heavy hammer - the result is zero: the shape does not change, there are no dents, there are not even scratches and, especially, cracks.
Now this knife is ready for any method of use and even throwing at a target from a decent distance.
Prospects and advantages
The polymorphus handle will protect your hands from burns, even if the knife is doused with boiling water. This material is absolutely environmentally friendly and does not pose any danger to human health.
The handles can be given any color if coloring powder pigments are added to the plastic in a molten state. Also, if you don’t like its shape, then after heating it can be adjusted, many times, and the handle will not suffer at all from this.
And the last thing is very important! This superplastic should not be heated above 200 degrees Celsius.
