Fixing warped horn

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jim d,
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Fixing warped horn

Post by jim d, »

Hi Bill,

Some years ago you advised me on a fix for warped horn that worked great. I remember wrapping the knife with terrycloth, applying a C-clamp and putting the knife in the oven at some temperature for some time. What I don't remember are the temperature and time. Can you help?

(I'll save the jokesters some keystrokes, this question is in reference to real, not imitation born).

Thanks,

Jim
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Under 250 degrees.
Try 30 minutes after it comes up to temperature.
Let it cool in the oven.
You're on your own with this-the horn softens and the clamp can dig into the horn. The horn can also warp in other directions.
If the warp is minor, this is worth a try.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
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jim d,
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by jim d, »

Thanks -yes, minor warping, I remember wrapping the knife in several layers of terrycloth to prevent damage from the clamp. I remember it worked very well for a much worse case, and I truly hope it works for the person with the knife (not me).

Thanks again,

Jim
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john
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by john »

Hi Jim,
Would it be possible to get a before and after photo from your friend?
John
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John

Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
button_man
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by button_man »

I guess that's my cue to stumble on-stage..... I have the knife; and here is the "before" picture --
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button_man
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by button_man »

Bill DeShivs wrote: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:56 pm Try 30 minutes after it comes up to temperature.
Let it cool in the oven.
Bill, I am unsure of the sequence of steps here.... do I bring the knife up to temp plus 30 minutes and THEN apply the clamp?
If so, then how much longer do I leave it in the oven after the clamp is applied?

Or do I have the clamp on already, before the knife goes into the oven? ....and then turn off the oven after 30 minutes?

After "annealing" the knife with the oven shut off --I would probably leave it in there overnight, just to be on the safe side--
--how long before I remove the clamp? Would 48 hours be sufficient? Thanks!
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by Bill DeShivs »

First- have the pins pulled loose? If so, you have more problems.
If you can clamp it sufficiently while cold, do so. Then put it in the oven and bring it up to temperature. Leave for 30 minutes.
When done, you can turn the oven off, crack the door open, and take the knife out when it reaches room temperature. The clamp should just come off when it's cool. It should cool off in an hour or so.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
button_man
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by button_man »

Bill, I mentioned the oven technique to another Knife Guy and he cautioned that it might affect the temper of the blade steel.
(I dunno if this makes any difference..... it's a Damascus blade.) At what temperature is the temper affected? Thanks!
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Under 250 degrees will not harm any blade steel.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
button_man
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by button_man »

Bill, I find myself hesitant to clamp the knife.... I'm wondering whether I should put just a bit of tension on it, bring it up to 200F, and then really screw down the clamp and put it back in to anneal..... my chief concern here is that if I screw down the clamp hard while the horn is cold, that it may crack or start splintering..... what do you suggest...? Thanks!
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Clamp it a little, heat, and then tighten some more.
Remember- it will be hot.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
skirmish
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Re: Fixing warped horn/stretch?

Post by skirmish »

Will this work with stretching shrunken bone?
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by Bill DeShivs »

No- it will not work with bone.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
skirmish
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by skirmish »

How about horn,...?
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Fixing warped horn

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Horn that has shrunken can not be reliably stretched.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
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