Yes try the Gflex with additives, in particular use Colloidal silica. This creates a much stronger bond. There is a Gflex that already comes thickened with this additive. Best to mix your own and see how ratios hold. When bonding metals, West System recommends to sacrifice a metal brush (toothbrush style) and apply the epoxy brushing heavily the first thin layer on the metal's surface.
How about the same tests again but this time using BSI slow cure vs Gflex? I know the mid cure is supposed to be more flexible but slow cure is stronger.
I don’t think I’ll ever put my knife scales through anything close to your tests. I’d be happy with either one. I just happen to use GFlex. No reason to change!!! Thanks for the test. You have to much time on your hand 😂😂😂. Really comforting to know how reliable they both are. I really do appreciate your taking the time to give me the confidence in my knife epoxy !!!
Very interesting! I've been using loctite but Im trying to bring my entire knife making game to another level. Im setting up my shop now. I have a 2x42 but I will be working towards a 2x72 as soon as I get over my move to texas. (waskom) I lived in odessa for a few months many years ago. That permian basin is booming now from what I hear.
For sure it is! It's the place to be for oil and gas right now. I started with the 2x42 belt sander as well (did a review on it too!). The thing is fast but I think, if used right, it greatly speeds up knife builds. Thanks for the love!
Thanks! I agree. The cost is a major plus. I think BSI is perfectly acceptable for knife handles. I do think I'll be moving to G-flex though after this. I like the flex-y-ness advantages.
@@walkonking I now feel better with the G-flex on knives I'm selling for this reason! Can't always trust a customer to "use the knife as it was interned to be used."
@@RedBeardOps Keep in mind that the epoxy is not what is holding the scales to the tang it is the fasteners. The epoxy actually makes a seal between the tang and scales. Many makers do not use epoxy at all on scales and only fasteners. Look at it this way. Knives have been made for thousands of years with no epoxy at all and some are still intact.. G flex is great but it is not going to protect your knife from a dumb ass prying with it, it will fail as well.
There is a slight amber color. For most of my knives the epoxy isn't exposed, so it doesn't matter... but if you're going to have exposed epoxy (say in file work along the spine of the knife) then I would dye the epoxy.
Both of these epoxies are two part epoxies that mix one to one if that's what your asking? The G-flex has a 24 hour cure. The BSI advertises a 2 hour full strength cure.
It defiantly "flexed".... I was pretty impressed with it. Not to say BSI isn't perfectly acceptable for a knife handle. I'll be moving 100% to G-Flex after this.
It might not have been perfect but good enough for me. How in the world could you possibly put that kinda stress on your knife scales. I don’t expect to hear any response to that question!!!
I expect some prepper-type camo wearing ding dongs banging on their knives while baton-ing firewood would mirror this kind of torture (needlessly). For me, I use an AX for that stuff....
I have not, however, judging by the strength when bonding metal to micarta and G-10 I'd bet it would do very well. I'm pretty sure G-10 is similar to fiberglass if not the same thing.
Whenever you have an adhesive test that results in delamination of the base material, you're no longer testing the adhesive - you're testing the strength of the base material. If you ever do this test again, you could set up a hammer on a pivot/hinge that you drop from incrementally larger heights into the overlapped part. This will test the ability to handle shocks and impacts to the joint and not just strength.. You can have the strongest adhesive in the world, but if it can't take shock, it's worthless. Kinda like high-tensile tool steel vs regular steel.
Anyone have ideas for other epoxy test(s) to perform?! I know my testing wasn't perfect.
Yes try the Gflex with additives, in particular use Colloidal silica. This creates a much stronger bond. There is a Gflex that already comes thickened with this additive. Best to mix your own and see how ratios hold. When bonding metals, West System recommends to sacrifice a metal brush (toothbrush style) and apply the epoxy brushing heavily the first thin layer on the metal's surface.
How about the same tests again but this time using BSI slow cure vs Gflex? I know the mid cure is supposed to be more flexible but slow cure is stronger.
I don’t think I’ll ever put my knife scales through anything close to your tests. I’d be happy with either one. I just happen to use GFlex. No reason to change!!! Thanks for the test. You have to much time on your hand 😂😂😂. Really comforting to know how reliable they both are. I really do appreciate your taking the time to give me the confidence in my knife epoxy !!!
Any time chip! Glad you liked the video. I just had to know.
Very thorough and in-depth test, brilliantly narrated! I’m a G - Flex user and cant say enough good things about it. 👌🏻
Thank you sir! And thanks for stopping by!
Very interesting! I've been using loctite but Im trying to bring my entire knife making game to another level. Im setting up my shop now. I have a 2x42 but I will be working towards a 2x72 as soon as I get over my move to texas. (waskom) I lived in odessa for a few months many years ago. That permian basin is booming now from what I hear.
For sure it is! It's the place to be for oil and gas right now. I started with the 2x42 belt sander as well (did a review on it too!). The thing is fast but I think, if used right, it greatly speeds up knife builds. Thanks for the love!
I use BSI!! Mostly because you can get it from hobby lobby pretty cheaply. And one of the types has a one hour working time.
Hey Dominick, BSI makes some great epoxy! Cheers sir.
Good video. The cost and ease of availablity of the BSI is a plus for knifemakers as well. Both will do the job just fine.
Thanks! I agree. The cost is a major plus. I think BSI is perfectly acceptable for knife handles. I do think I'll be moving to G-flex though after this. I like the flex-y-ness advantages.
@@RedBeardOps If you are going to be prying with your knife then G flex is a better choice.
@@walkonking I now feel better with the G-flex on knives I'm selling for this reason! Can't always trust a customer to "use the knife as it was interned to be used."
@@RedBeardOps Keep in mind that the epoxy is not what is holding the scales to the tang it is the fasteners. The epoxy actually makes a seal between the tang and scales. Many makers do not use epoxy at all on scales and only fasteners. Look at it this way. Knives have been made for thousands of years with no epoxy at all and some are still intact.. G flex is great but it is not going to protect your knife from a dumb ass prying with it, it will fail as well.
@@walkonking I agree. I also use corby or loveless fasteners on all my knives. I like overkill. :)
You are doing great work on the videos , wish I had you when I started making , thanks for your time.
Cheers Rick, much appreciated! Thanks man.
Great video! Would you say the G-Flex is more flexible after curing? Thanks
That's what it seems like to me!
This was fun to watch. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks for the regards and the subscription. You're knives are beautiful! I've had the pleasure of following you on Instagram for some time.
Awesome testing man👍 gflex is some tough stuff. Thats for sure🙂
Thanks man! Yeah, I was impressed! Bent my darn lever arm!
Outdoor 55 this looks like a test you would be fit to take on !!! 😂😂😂. Don’t do it, you’d have me lmao 😂
Outstanding test and video! I am interesting in doing a similar test with our product, the Stern Saver, since we use G-Flex to adhere it to boats.
Good luck sir! G-Flex is strong stuff!
Can this be used for filling in voids in wood slabs ?
Hey Brad, I really don't know. The stuff is pretty tough though, I'm sure it would work just find for that application.
Great video now when the product dries is it yellow in color or is it clear?
There is a slight amber color. For most of my knives the epoxy isn't exposed, so it doesn't matter... but if you're going to have exposed epoxy (say in file work along the spine of the knife) then I would dye the epoxy.
@@RedBeardOps Thanks
What about BSI or GFlex vs Rogue Epoxy?
Good question! I don't know the answer to that. Never tried Rogue Epoxy. Do you like it?
Glad I came across your channel J...this was an awesome, ‘destruction test,’ video...very thorough and it has a nice flow to it 👍🍻Cheers, Griff.
Thank you sir! Glad you enjoyed the video! Felt a little dangerous at some points, lol.
JKeetonKnives Yeah man, talk about going above and beyond😂👍
Are both of these Epoxies mix using a 1:1 ration of Curing Age to Hardener ?
Both of these epoxies are two part epoxies that mix one to one if that's what your asking? The G-flex has a 24 hour cure. The BSI advertises a 2 hour full strength cure.
I think heating up the epoxy to 180 was a post-cure. That probably improved the strength of the epoxy.
Nice test protocol!
Thanks Fry!
Gflex is a great stuff...been useing long time,the 15 minute stuff just does not have the longevity that GFLEX has
It defiantly "flexed".... I was pretty impressed with it. Not to say BSI isn't perfectly acceptable for a knife handle. I'll be moving 100% to G-Flex after this.
Great test. I'll stick with my BSI.
Fyi..sent you an IG message last week with a question
Hey Nick, sorry I missed it. It went under "messages for review" I'll get on it!
It might not have been perfect but good enough for me. How in the world could you possibly put that kinda stress on your knife scales. I don’t expect to hear any response to that question!!!
LOL! Yeah, that's a lot of force. Add pins/corbies/loveless and you're rock solid!
I expect some prepper-type camo wearing ding dongs banging on their knives while baton-ing firewood would mirror this kind of torture (needlessly). For me, I use an AX for that stuff....
Anybody bond steel to fiberglass using G-flex? Thoughts? Mick
I have not, however, judging by the strength when bonding metal to micarta and G-10 I'd bet it would do very well. I'm pretty sure G-10 is similar to fiberglass if not the same thing.
had David Johnson of West system UK fillet GFlex on my boats hull/keel join
It makes some seriously good bonds on knife handles! Love the stuff.
Whenever you have an adhesive test that results in delamination of the base material, you're no longer testing the adhesive - you're testing the strength of the base material.
If you ever do this test again, you could set up a hammer on a pivot/hinge that you drop from incrementally larger heights into the overlapped part. This will test the ability to handle shocks and impacts to the joint and not just strength.. You can have the strongest adhesive in the world, but if it can't take shock, it's worthless. Kinda like high-tensile tool steel vs regular steel.
Thanks for the tips!