How to Install Hardwood (Custom) Wa Handle to Japanese Kitchen Knife

Рет қаралды 22,289

Күн бұрын

We often need to change the handle for our Japanese knives, sometimes is to replace an old handle and sometimes is to just get a better one.
We previously described the burn-in method for ho-wood handles, however such method is not suitable for hardwood becuase hardwood can easily split upon excessive heat.
In this video, I demonstrated a commonly adapted practice in Japan: installing hardwood handles using the hot melt glue method. In this way, not only the chance of damaging the handle is low, you also have enough time to adjust the position of the knife once installed. The handle can also be pulled apart easily.
Tools and materials required:
1. hot glue sticks
2. blow torch
Happy rehandling!
Intro (0:00)
Don't burn in with hardwood handles (0:38)
Use hot glue and why (1:44)
Preparation steps (4:00)
Filing the tang hole (7:51)
Prepare the tang (9:54)
Make glue shaving (11:43)
Fill the glue and burn in (14:00)
Adjust the knife (18:28)
Seal the tang hole entrance (21:05)
Done (23:07)

Пікірлер: 46

@bermuda1980 2 жыл бұрын

Wanted to let you know you helped a novice do his first rehandle, and it was a piece of cake thanks to your video! It was scary putting the tang of my expensive knife to the grind wheel to get it to fit, but I did it, it worked, and the end result is fabulous! Thanks again!

@NettiGaming Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this informative video for years I've had a beautiful slicer that the handle broke off and I I've been frightened to attempt this myself. However your video has helped me give all of my knives a new lease of life ❤️ thank you

@AndyinMokum 2 жыл бұрын

Greetings from The Netherlands. I've just received a custom made octagonal, red narra padauk handle with a black buffalo horn ferrule. It's going to be fitted to an iron clad 17cm Aogami #2 funayuki with a kurouchi finish. It's made by the rising star smith, Kyohei-San from Tosa It's a truly beautiful knife. To keep the cost down, it came fitted with a very generic keyaki wood, (Zelkova serrata) handle with a black plastic ferrule. The knife needs a much better handle. Your splendid video has been really helpful - thank you. I'm really looking forward to fitting the beautiful custom handle to my gorgeous Kyohei funayuki.

@AndyinMokum 2 жыл бұрын

The handle is now perfectly fitted to my funayuki. It was really easy to do. Using your technique, I was able to get the balance of the knife just the way I like it. I like my knives to be little blade heavy, opposed to handle heavy, or 50/50. Thanks for the splendid advice.

@KnivesandStones 2 жыл бұрын

that that it worked for you!

@귀여 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your video. It helps me to replace my wa-handle. Using hot glue would be great alternative way than epoxy. Very informative😊

@antonkudris 4 жыл бұрын

Gonna try hot glue method on my next knife. Bye bye epoxy! Thanks, James!

@chrisolenick953 3 жыл бұрын

another awesome video!

@GrantHendrick Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the very helpful video!

@emperor91108 3 жыл бұрын

beautiful handle

@AndrewSmith-cd5zf 3 жыл бұрын

Thanx for that - nice explanation

@Nickporter17 11 ай бұрын

I enjoyed it!

@crazies2816 3 жыл бұрын

Great job my friend!, l really like that hot glue method!

@racheltyrellcorp9694 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot !

@bazlur-Vancouver 2 жыл бұрын

Epoxy glue handle can be taken out by steaming the handle for about 20-30min or putting it in the boiling water(if it is wood or natural material, not the handle that will meltdown. I took out several times the shaving brush knot from the brush handle putting the brush inside a pot with water(not so deep) keeping on a small stone or metallic or heavy ceramic surface that the brush bottom do not touch the hot boiling water and cover it and then take out after 15 and try to pull it out with a hand, sometimes it comes out easily, sometimes need more streaming. I think the same method can be used on the handle if it is a natural material and needs some cosmetic finish if you need the same handle to install.

@quandho5983 2 жыл бұрын

nicely put it , somehow i get more confidence with epoxy materials. but is all depence on what u want ? thks for info ...

@bazlur-Vancouver 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought some amboyna blanks to replace my leathercraft tools handle for the beauty.

@brotharuss 3 жыл бұрын

Why did the customer want a gap between the tang and handle? For looks? Or did he or she want the cutting edge to start further out just a bit? Thx

@KnivesandStones 3 жыл бұрын

that is a question that I never ask. It maybe following what the Japanese are doing but then I have no idea why they doing this in modern days though.

@ladallance12 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, very interesting video and i like knives with the Wa handle, unfortunately in many knives you find a visible gap between the handle and the blade, and i don't understand why, like in your video we still see a gap but you say it is perfect. What needs to be done in this case please.

@redangrybird7564 Жыл бұрын

Hey Alberto, you are a genious. Good job. Just some concerns about the silicon, it may get moldy after some time.

@cjm321 3 жыл бұрын

I have a shitan Otago handle on my yu kurosaki gyoto, the main handle wood is very dull, it looks dry, how do I make its shiny and look nice ?

@Joantesmolaba 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative! Thank you very much! How about removing one though?

@KnivesandStones 4 жыл бұрын

There are two other videos that talk about this exact problem

@jeremycdurant 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I bought a used sashimi knife and I need to replace the handle.

@AC-wl7ve Жыл бұрын

i recognize this knife from reddit

@menchacasensei 2 жыл бұрын

Can you show how to make a wa handle?

@nurduwek7768 3 жыл бұрын

Can I use beeswax instead of hot glue? Is there a difference in performance? I bought a knife that may have a bit of a gap where the knife exits the handle. I don't want water to get in there, so I want to seal it. Could I also use handle wax to seal the handle?

@chrisolenick953 3 жыл бұрын

beeswax melts under hot water so id avoid something with a low melt temperature

@xzaviertorres5355 11 ай бұрын

I’ve seen beeswax used just fine.

@blufordbirdsong1834 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Just curious. If a lesser quality knife with hot glue handle made it into the dishwasher, would the heat be enough to loosen the tang form the handle? Just wondering how durable the bond is. Would love to get away from epoxy.

@KnivesandStones 2 жыл бұрын

probably not, but why bother using dishwasher when you can just simply boil the handle part in a pan (with the handle placed in a sandwich bag)

@feedoma4519 3 жыл бұрын

Is it a good idea to use super glue or gorilla glue?

@KnivesandStones 3 жыл бұрын

no, it is a bad idea

@feedoma4519 3 жыл бұрын

@@KnivesandStones thank you

@mmadchef808 Жыл бұрын

Maybe use a cheese grater for the hot glue??

@jasonmiddleton5491 3 жыл бұрын

Where do you get handles from?

@MrPhuongftu 3 жыл бұрын

Let me know if you still need customized handle like that

@natemccollum3731 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, this works as a great advertisement on why I’ll be SENDING my knife in. I have a Yoshiaki Fujiwara purchase in the works and there is NO way I will grind the tang myself or file down the $200 handle I purchased for my $1200 knife lol.

@chrisolenick953 3 жыл бұрын

yeah most people dont change their own ferrari oil either. 99% of people dont buy 1200 dollar blades. sounds like your on the right track to having some smarts.

@coecovideo 3 жыл бұрын

you need to add [ 3) Silicon ] to you list ;-)

@5tmvgy4k 4 жыл бұрын

Great video - But a kept wishing he would get to the point! 23min video that could have been covered in 10min!

@KnivesandStones 4 жыл бұрын

Very true, I felt it was quite long as well. I do however had a hard time balace the duration of the video though. I deliberately kept a few of the clips not shortened / modified becuase I wanted to give the viewer a few about how long it should take for each step.

@chrisolenick953 3 жыл бұрын

i think he either did you a service or you could find a other channel to watch or learn how to forward through things if your impatient