Without a handle there is no knife. Breaking a knife handle can render it anything from annoying to completely useless. The best replacement is obviously a new knife, but that is not always possible.
The damage on the handle can vary a lot, so in this article we have gathered some common repair tips. If you can’t use any of it you might need to take it to a professional (if it makes sense cost-wise).
It is also important to note, that it can be hard to have the original look after the handle has been damaged. Some of the fixes will look bad but work. It is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of this.
Slight Scratches and Marks
This is the easiest category to fix. Scratches don’t affect the functionality of the knife, but can ruin the looks. Depending on the handle material you can completely get rid of them.
Wood Handle
If your knife has a wooden handle you can get most scratches out by simply using sand paper. Sand the handle untill the scratches are gone. There are some things you need to be aware of however.
Depending on how much sanding you’ll do, it is a good idea to sand all sides of the handle. This way it won’t look uneven or weird. Also, most knife handles have some kind of protective coating that you will remove. This is not necessarily a bad thing but just something to keep in mind.
Metal Handle
A metal handle you will have to treat a bit differently. Luckily, there are products made specifically for scratch removing on metals. You’ll want to apply it on the knife handle and then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth (or something close). These products are not perfect, but will get most smaller scratches.
Broken Pieces
If your handle is missing some pieces this can be a bit harder to fix. This will most likely only happen to wooden handles.
If you still have the broken piece you can use super glue to attach it again. Apply the glue and leave it for a couple of hours before using it again. This method will need to be done every few months and you should avoid putting the knife in the diswasher.
Another options is to screw the broken piece back into place. It won’t look pretty but it will last longer and be more effective. Simply put a screw through the broken piece and the rest of the handle.
If you don’t have the broken piece you’ll have to do something completely different. The only reasonable thing you can do is to sand down the handle untill it has a usable shape again. You will want to start with the broken area and sand it untill it is smooth. The sand the rest of the handle depending on how you want the shape to be. This is time consuming and should only be done if you can’t buy a new handle for a reasonable price.
Handle is Unusable
Now, if your handle is completely missing or destroyed beyong repair, you have few options. The first step should be to look for a new handle (or second hand) for a reasonable price. If you have a brand name knife, try to look at some off brand handles. They are usually a lot cheaper and good enough.