Swollen rubber

[plewlandsbob]

Hi guys ,
I have an old Kershaw knife, with rubber grips. Over the years, probably due to getting covered in oil , diesel and general dirt, the grips are swollen. I took the screw out on end and pushed grip flat, it is about 15 mm longer than it should be.
I was wondering if it is possible to get rubber, back to correct size?

Other option is to maybe put something in between stainless frame and rubber grips, then clamp them in a vice to set.

Thanks
Robert
Edit, cannot get pics to upload

 

[bourbon]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Seadog]

He's only been a member since 2009

 

[voipio]

Heat shrinks rubber, apparently. It's at least worth a try, using a hairdryer, or putting the grips into boiling water. See e.g. here: https://rubberandseal.com/how-to-shrink-a-rubber-gasket/ and https://www.thetechedvocate.org/how-to-shrink-rubber-7-steps/

If the rubber has become sticky over time, the solution is maybe not so simple. I spent a couple of hours yesterday taking the "tactile" coating off something that had gone sticky. I've a pair of half decent Nikon "tactile" rubber coated binoculars that are probably next in line for the treatment. In the past, I've thrown perfectly good stuff away, because of "tactile" rubber going off. The treatment that seems to work is isopropyl alcohol (IPA), applied with a bit of elbow grease.

Contacting Kershaw to see if they stock replacement grips, might be another avenue. https://kershaw.kaiusa.com/warranty - you'll need to find your local authorised dealer.

 

[plewlandsbob]

I have emailed Kershaw, but I bought it about 35 years ago, so am not holding out hope, that replacements are available.

 

[plewlandsbob]

Heat shrinks rubber, apparently. It's at least worth a try, using a hairdryer, or putting the grips into boiling water. See e.g. here: https://rubberandseal.com/how-to-shrink-a-rubber-gasket/ and https://www.thetechedvocate.org/how-to-shrink-rubber-7-steps/

If the rubber has become sticky over time, the solution is maybe not so simple. I spent a couple of hours yesterday taking the "tactile" coating off something that had gone sticky. I've a pair of half decent Nikon "tactile" rubber coated binoculars that are probably next in line for the treatment. In the past, I've thrown perfectly good stuff away, because of "tactile" rubber going off. The treatment that seems to work is isopropyl alcohol (IPA), applied with a bit of elbow grease.

Contacting Kershaw to see if they stock replacement grips, might be another avenue. https://kershaw.kaiusa.com/warranty - you'll need to find your local authorised dealer.

I might try , fastening rubbers back on at either end, then either boiling or heat , to soften rubber , then clamp in a vice.

That is a good tip, about the sticky rubber. I have a spotting telescope, that is getting sticky.

 

[bourbon]

opps