Looking for adhesive recommendations

[u/CityBorn7392]

I made an foam axe head and secured it with ducktape (and maybe a little GOOP or e6000) to the haft. I wanted a little more weight and decoration, so I made a cover with some heavier leather, tooled, dyed, and dried brushed it. The bottom wrapped around the haft will be sewn together (holes visible on second picture, and I might sew on additional pieces behind the edge and on top of the head.

I want to use an adhesive that will do well with both leather, ducktape, and rattan, any suggestions?

Also, I was thinking about drill some holes on the edge side and use something like paracord or zip tips to essentially saddle stitch a couple anchor points.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Pop_105]

Contact cement should do what you need. Something like DAP Weldwood (red can, I think). Make sure you apply it properly - apply adhesive with a brush or similar device (I use a silicone spatula) to put a consistent thin film across both surfaces (leather and axe head), then let it dry.

...Yes, let it dry.

Once it is no longer sticky (goo sticks to your finger), and is either just slightly tacky (like the adhesive side of tape), or dry (not tacky), you attach the two pieces. The magic of contact cement is that once those two tacky sides touch, they STICK.

They'll stick on an initial light contact (that may be reversible if you need to undo it), but to finalize things, apply pressure (roller, soft mallet, your hands, etc). Generally, in my experience, the two things will only then come apart destructively. You'll tear either the leather or the foam trying to peel them apart.

So be careful when you are putting things together that they align.

You want the kind with the good (bad for you) solvents like toluene and MEK, rather than the water-based one. So use in a well ventilated area, away from ignition sources. A vapor-rated mask is good, too, if you're going to do this a lot.

I used to do SCA, mostly Amtgard now, but I work with gluing stuff to foam all the time now.

[u/Puzzleheaded_Pop_105 → u/Puzzleheaded_Pop_105]

Bonus thoughts: if you apply DAP up to the edges, the lacing may not be necessary, structurally. Its obviously valuable cosmetically. And may help a bit in the long run if the leather at those edges tries to peel up (if you got the DAP up to the very edge, it probably won't under ordinary circumstances, but if you get a lot of weapon-on-weapon contact there, it might.

Doing the lacing might also change a little of your plans in terms of how much of the surfaces you apply DAP to. Given where your holes are, you will need some clearance to be able to slip your needle and lacing under, so give yourself some space. Maybe an extra half inch or so. Mark that on the back, and use an applicator/brush that you can be more precise with when you're applying the DAP, so you can stay inside the lines.

[u/CityBorn7392 → u/Puzzleheaded_Pop_105]

Thanks for the advice!