Freeing a Semogue knot from its wooden handle

[flutewhistler]

Guys:

I am thinking of buying a 1438, but I'm planning (way) ahead for the possibility that the paint will eventually crack and chip off or the handle goes bad (or I just don't like the handle and want to replace it). Has anyone had any experience freeing a Semogue knot from its handle? How did not do it? Points to remember when doing so?

Thanks.

 

[dalecooper51]

I tried using a chop saw on my 1305. It did not work so well.

A friend turns them down using a lathe which seems to work very well.

 

[Foyle]

The knot is epoxied into an aluminum cup. You could free the cup from the wood handle easily enough by taking a chisel and a mallet and aligning the chisel blade with the direction of the grain. The grain will run up and down on the handle. Use the mallet to strike the chisel and split the handle along the grain. Good luck getting the knot out of the aluminum cup. Like dalecoooper15 said, a lathe is probably your best bet for that.

 

[FozzieBear1971]

I have a 1305 that I purchased in March of this year. The other night I was getting ready to lather with it and the knot just fell out of the handle. Evidently the epoxy gave way. It may not be as difficult as you think.

 

[Rudy Vey]

I have used successfully (and working carefully) chisel and a small mallet. The hair is set into a metal cup, so when you split the wood, the cup comes out easily.

 

[Foyle]

I have a 1305 that I purchased in March of this year. The other night I was getting ready to lather with it and the knot just fell out of the handle. Evidently the epoxy gave way. It may not be as difficult as you think.

Or this. I don't know what it is, but wood handled Semogues seem to be susceptible to this happening.

 

[oscar11]

I've redone several Semogues you can even take off the metal cup if you'd like. Here's a Semogue 2000 knot shortened up with the cup removed. Not a problem to get the cup out but I don't try to save the handles.

 

[Foyle]

I've redone several Semogues you can even take off the metal cup if you'd like. Here's a Semogue 2000 knot shortened up with the cup removed.

Yes, but how did you actually do it?

 

[oscar11]

The easiest way I've found is to chuck them up in the lathe a cut them out with a parting tool but I've used bench grinders and dremmels too. Even a jack knife will do in a pinch. Just go slow and easy. Actually, I've taken out quite a few without issues but there is always a chance something could go wrong.