Hi - I have a coin silver w whalebone handle tody ladle that needs to be fixed
and I don't know where to start. It was in a drawer and evidently was stuck so H. just bent it until he broke the whale bone handle (it splintered). He claims the handle was plastic and could be glued after he broke it. Now he realizes it is not plastic.
I am SO ANGRY.
I will post pics of it later as he, realizing what he did, took off with it in the car, like he is going to find somewhere to have it fixed around rural IN. He also wanted to get away from me as it is inherited from my family several generations back.
Any idea where to start looking to have it repaired?
3 comments
roccotacodad54
·10 months agoI assume the handle is baleen (commonly called whale bone and used for ladle handles in victorian times) if it splintered.
It can be epoxied but it won't be easy. If the two pieces can be fitted back together reasonably well epoxy will work. The longer epoxy takes to set the stronger it is. 24 hr. epoxy is the best but 20 to 30 minute will also work and is way better than the 5 minute stuff.
Any slop or ooze out can be cleaned up with isopropyl alcohol depending on the epoxy. The notes on cleanup on the package should say what to use. If it says acetone, old fashioned fingernail polish remove will work. The 90% alcohol stuff works for the expoxy I use. I use a paper towel dampened not drenched to wipe excess on old knife handles I restore from time to time. It takes more than once sometimes. If 20 minute epoxy check every few minutes until the epoxy stiffens enough not to flow out. I leave the unused mixed epoxy where I can check the cure.
Once fully cured (days not hours) it can be carefully sanded if needed using progressively finer wet or dry sandpaper with water then polished. If it's a twisted handle that could be done with the sand paper wrapped around a dowel or something round.
I've never tried to repair baleen but that's what I was told to do by a man that has if I ever faced the issue.
twk
OP10 months agoRocco - interesting but seems a lot of work for this old gal with arthritic hands. But, since I am home all the time taking care of my beloved H., it might be something challenging for me to do.
I will just have to take the acetone outside as H. has lung issues.
Thanks!
roccotacodad54
·10 months agoI completely understand your situation. I have lung issues myself and have to do any stinky work outside on a breezy day in good weather. That limits what I can do with solvents.
A shame about that ladle. If you know anywhere that repairs golf clubs, fishing poles or anything made from fiberglass the process is quite similar. Baleen was the "fiberglass" of the times. It will hold shape when heated then bent/twisted then cooled and was popular for parasol ribs, corsets, fancy handles etc.
I suspect it is baleen. Especially if it is black, brown or a lighter color with darker or lighter streaks.
Good luck and I hope you can get it fixed.