We have a collection of vintage flatware with Bakelite handles. Two of the forks broke off at the connection to the handles. One of the handles was cracked at the connection point (and may have been previously glued back together.) I have removed the posts that were inside the handles and have cut and ground down replacement forks to fit inside. One of them still had a lead ferrule and there was lead inside the hole holding the fork in place.

I have reglued the cracked handle with DAP RapidFuse. (Still need to clean off the excess.)

I am asking for advice about what to use to install the replacement forks: hot glue, epoxy, Gorilla glue, etc.

Also I will probably wind some copper wire around the handle at the connection point and solder it to replicate the ferrule.

Suggestions?

 

I restored the forks as a Christmas present for SWMBO so I held off posting the result until now.


Matching all metal forks were cut to length and a tang created to insert into the Bakelite. Glued in with 2-part epoxy. Wrapped the intersection with steel wire and then soldered it to look like the original lead ferrules. The forks don't go into a dishwasher and, in fact, are never left soaking in water to avoid compromising the joint.

 

Twp part epoxy would be good.
Hot glue is too soft.
Gorilla glue is good but spotty and messy as it expands when wet.
I'm not overly thrilled with Gorilla glue.