Gorilla Glue

[Steve]

Has anyone ever considered or tried Gorilla Glue? for knives? Just wondering, they claim a lot in their ads.....

[SKIVIE]

Steve, I purchased some a while back and after purchasing it for the purpose of testing it on knife making I noticed a couple things on the instructions that concerned me. First, the pieces you are glueing have to be moistened with water. Second, after its been glued and sat for a while it foams like crazy. I used it on a stool for my grandmother and it holds very well but its some sticky stuff and makes a mess. The bottle still sits on the shelf till another wood/furniture project comes up but I dont think ill be using it on knives.

Hopefully that gives you a little insight.

Shane

[Jerry Shorter]

Steve: I'll tell you one thing. no two things. the stuff sticks steel to wood like crazy and Shane is right it's really messy and if you get any on you fingers it doesn't want to let go so you have to wear it for awhile or sacrafice some skin. well maybe three things it will lose strength on large gaps ( over about .04" ) all that aside Iv'e used it on slab handles and like the way it holds. One big IF, it's only been around for a few years so if it will hold up as long as exopy who knows? so I only use it on knives that ar not for sale. For now anyway.

Jerry

[TexasJack]

It's a great glue for certain purposes. Biggest drawbacks are that it doesn't dry clear (and can't be dyed), and it does foam if not clamped tight.

I glued some boards together to make a workbench top for my f-in-law in my driveway. A year later you can still see the glue that dripped onto the concrete and solidified.

[SteveS]

More testing Jerry! This stuff sounds great. Here's a review from a boat maker:

http://www.woodenboat.net.nz/Worksho...rillaglue.html

I have the same question as Steve. Sounds almost too good to be true. From what I've read I like the part about being semi-flexible. Just what you need with wood/steel joints.

Steve

[SteveS]

BTW is it thin? or thick from the bottle.

steve

[Jerry Shorter]

Steve: kinda like honey!

Jerry

[Steve]

Hey you guys, thanks for the quick responses. Sounds pretty messy, but possibly pretty good stuff.

Thanks again.

[TexasJack]

Oh, I can see where this is headed .....

Some precautions: Gorilla glue is NOT forgiving. Where it goes, it stays.

Since it is activated by moisture - and it only takes a small amount - humidity will cause the stuff to go bad in the bottle. Buy the smaller bottle, and store it upside down after opening.

The moisture - sweat - on your skin will activate Gorilla glue.

Clamp, clamp, clamp - this stuff expands.

Having used Gorilla for other applications, I still think epoxy is the best glue for knife work.

[aiiifish]

Hi Steve, They had a discussion on USN about this a couple of weeks ago. Lot of imput from several makers. T88 is still the favorite. Seemed to me the bigest question was long term durability.

[Steve]

Thanks again, pretty much answers my questions. I appreciate it.

After reading the USN threads, I think I'll pass.

Thanks again.

[Steve]

When it comes to failure of the adhesive, I am always somewhat at ease when I realize that they are bolted on with SS screws! I know, the ends may pull away, but I'm sure thats inevitable down the road sometime, perhaps waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy down the road, if the handle slabs are a natural material, sucha s wood, ivory, stag, etc. Mother Nature will have her way! (This may not hold true for MOP, or the mineral handles, maybe).