Question on the Performance of CA

[Kenski]

Hi all, a quick question regarding using CA on wooden scales. I was crafting a variety of different scale wood types this weekend, and lo and behold I got a little 'enthusiastic' on my belt sander. The maple scales I was working on are now a bit on the thin side, and subsequently there's a lot of flex in the raw product (I've only shaped the profile so far, and haven't sanded a nice bevel yet, so I expect them to be even more delicate when done). I was wondering how much coating with CA will firm them up. Is there an appreciable difference in how much flex will be evened out after a few layers of CA have been coated on?
Thanks for any knowledge you can share!
k

 

[Legion]

My guess is the CA may crack and de laminate from the wood over time if it flexes too much. But hey, only one way to find out.

 

[ladykate]

If the scales are that thin, you might have some difficulty with using the CA. It really isn't that tough (IMHO). You might try pouring casting resin over it and then polishing it down. I've done that with some scales although it isn't my favorite. It certainly toughens the scales up, though.

There are several articles about it - one on SRP seems pretty good:

http://straightrazorplace.com/workshop/17422-epoxy-resin-finish-how.html

 

[Kenski]

Thanks for the responses Legion and Ladykate! I hadn't considered the possibility of delamination, and with enough flex in the material during usage, I can see it becoming a problem. The info provided on using resin is great; I would think it would lead to a tough, sandwiched material, like in a cedar strip kayak. It's amazing how bomb-proof a wooden core surrounded by resin can be.
My question may be moot anyway; for my current restoration project (an old Hunter & Sons blade off the 'bay), I think a mirror finished blade with classic black ebony scales will be the way to go, and I didn't screw up those scales (yet) during beltsanding.