I took it down to look at it after several months and noticed the wood on the handle is splitting 
Has anyone else had this kind of problem???
Has anyone else had this kind of problem???
UC Elven Knife of Strider problem :(
- Thread starter Hecubus114
- Start date
Jedi Loreen
Well-Known Member
Considering where you live, it sounds like the wood got too dried out, causing it to shrink and split. :confused
Ttaskmaster
Well-Known Member
Oh ****!!
No, I've not had this on mine, though I am going to check tonight.
I bought mine for cheap off eBay, back before they were even officially released. The guy had a few of each UC item which he was advance-selling. It was legal as I had a friend in Trading Standards question him first (don't ask me to explain the ins and outs, though).
The only issue I had was that the pommel piece had come free during transit. I glued it on and it's never been a problem since.
No, I've not had this on mine, though I am going to check tonight.
I bought mine for cheap off eBay, back before they were even officially released. The guy had a few of each UC item which he was advance-selling. It was legal as I had a friend in Trading Standards question him first (don't ask me to explain the ins and outs, though).
The only issue I had was that the pommel piece had come free during transit. I glued it on and it's never been a problem since.
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yeah - I got mine back in the cheap days, which they sure-as-**** aint now... I'm not sure wood glue would help, as it is a dark-stained wood, and there is now a gap needing to be filled. And loreen, you're probably right about my location. Although I've never had a problem like this before...
The wood did not split on mine, no.
For what it's worth, I also did not have any splitting problems with another of their wooden hilts in that lineup - Arwen's Hadhafang sword.
I did have that same problem of the Elven Knife's pommel coming unglued from the hilt, though. Just glued it back on and eventually sold it.
That Elven knife was a strange piece. It was the only one I know of in that whole line that came with a sharpened blade, unless maybe also the small knife in Strider's scabbard.
For what it's worth, I also did not have any splitting problems with another of their wooden hilts in that lineup - Arwen's Hadhafang sword.
I did have that same problem of the Elven Knife's pommel coming unglued from the hilt, though. Just glued it back on and eventually sold it.
That Elven knife was a strange piece. It was the only one I know of in that whole line that came with a sharpened blade, unless maybe also the small knife in Strider's scabbard.
DrStranglove
Sr Member
I do not have one of these but back in my sword knife days, I found wooden handled items very tricky. Seems more effort went in to the blades then the wood. Taking a few broken pieces apart I often found they were only finished on one side. This is a REAL no-no. In a low humidity or a fluctuating temp area, they will just fall apart like a stick and no way to repair I ever found other than just replacing the whole damn thing.
A method I would use to help prevent this would be to rub some (yes) mink oil on them. I was never toooooo sure how well this worked but it sure seemed to. If they can be disassembled, I would recommend making sure the interior of the wood is also preserved. If it is not, take it to an expert or get the stuff yourself to apply to the back and the ends of the item.
A method I would use to help prevent this would be to rub some (yes) mink oil on them. I was never toooooo sure how well this worked but it sure seemed to. If they can be disassembled, I would recommend making sure the interior of the wood is also preserved. If it is not, take it to an expert or get the stuff yourself to apply to the back and the ends of the item.
It was actually a somewhat common and well know problem with that UC knife. When they first came out many of the knives arrived at dealers and customers with a small crack already starting.I took it down to look at it after several months and noticed the wood on the handle is splitting
Mine has a crack, and many other owners found them after they were told what to look for.
CSMacLaren
Sr Member
There's wood repair putty at Home Depot. It may help to be able to see a photo of the damage.
A custom knife maker may be able to help, but such help may get pricey.
A custom knife maker may be able to help, but such help may get pricey.
Robot Monster
Sr Member
Same thing happened to Sting.
DrStranglove
Sr Member
If the swords can be disassembled then I would take them to a furniture repair place. A small piece of wood like that I bet they can do on the CHEAP!
Here are a couple pics of it. I would just fill it like some have suggested, BUT - I have zero experience with such a thing, and dont want to ruin it - and if it continues splitting, filling it would just be a temporary solution. Its not that bad, but enough to make when I see it:
when I see it:
DrStranglove
Sr Member
Wow.... Sorry to say but it's already ruined. Best you can hope for is a fix at this point
Or you could sell it to me cheap.
With a split like that, i dont think you could repair it. Doesn't UC put a lifetime waranty on their items for manufacturer's defects?
With a split like that, i dont think you could repair it. Doesn't UC put a lifetime waranty on their items for manufacturer's defects?
dropshipbob
Master Member
My father in law, who is a wood worker, uses some sort of epoxy resin to fill in gaps in wood pieces before he planes them and finishes them. After all that, he treats it like any other wood with staining and urethane sealing.
I could ask him about the specifics if you like.
I could ask him about the specifics if you like.
Feezle-nuts - I'm not sure what kind of warranty they offered, but I do know these are no longer produced, so best case scenario I would just get retail $$$ back (and I highly doubt that). If these were still easily obtainable, I would just sell it and buy a new one...
dropshipbob - I'd love some input from someone who is a wood worker. My biggest concern right now is that I will go through the trouble of filling/finishing it, and it will just continue splitting, making what I did void, ya know?
dropshipbob - I'd love some input from someone who is a wood worker. My biggest concern right now is that I will go through the trouble of filling/finishing it, and it will just continue splitting, making what I did void, ya know?
Since the original UC went bankrupt and the company was taken over by new ownership, I doubt that you will be able to get a refund. I will have to look back at the paper work, but I don't think that they had a lifetime warranty anyway.
Since this knife was not a limited edition, there is always the possibility that the "new" UC will start making them again; I wouldn't hold my breath though.
Since this knife was not a limited edition, there is always the possibility that the "new" UC will start making them again; I wouldn't hold my breath though.
leatherneck
Well-Known Member
I just checked my knife that has been on the wall since I got it probably six years ago and noticed that the handle is starting to split as well. It isn't that bad right now and I am hoping that it doesn't get any worse.
ob1al
Sr Member
Owch, nasty!
As wood dries it shrinks in the direction of the grain. You can't fix this by putting glue in the split and pressing because now the piece has become smaller.
If it's been like that for a while and doesn't seem to be getting any worse, I would find a matching coloured wax and fill the gaps with that.
It won't be perfect, but I can't think of any other easy way to fix it aside from filling and completely refinishing.
As wood dries it shrinks in the direction of the grain. You can't fix this by putting glue in the split and pressing because now the piece has become smaller.
If it's been like that for a while and doesn't seem to be getting any worse, I would find a matching coloured wax and fill the gaps with that.
It won't be perfect, but I can't think of any other easy way to fix it aside from filling and completely refinishing.
