416 scales

[Halbrust]

Is there a reason you can't find knives that utilize 416 stainless for scales?
Titanium scales, and even anodized aluminum, are prevalent; but not SS that I can find.

 

[phorizt]

because it would be incredibly heavy probably

 

[james terrio]

The first question is "Why?" would you want 416 SS scales? What would be the benefit? Lower cost?

If we're talking about folders (or fixed blades, for that matter), I suspect phorizt is right... aluminum and titanium are plenty strong, but much lighter than stainless steel.

 

[TexasWade]

I think it's a little bit of an old school thing. It was popular 20-ish years ago to do lock-back folders with full 416 scales which made a great canvas for inlay and engraving. Very fine satin finishes were in, but in my experience the finishes didn't hold up in use so the knives were best left untouched in a showcase and only handled with a chamois. Current stuff that I'm seeing seems a lot more utilitarian with the plasic/micarta etc scales, stonewashed or painted blades etc. that go in your pocket.

Here are a couple I made about 24 years ago, lol. I think they were sort of typical in their day.

 

[james terrio]

Thank you for clarifying that. I get it now... it's not my thing, but I understand :thumbup:

 

[Frank Niro]

I may be out of date, but I still use 416 ss for bolsters on some of my folders.
Frank

 

[mknife]

to achieve inlays or even to produce engravings continues to be an excellent solution.

_________________________________________________
Riccardo Mainolfi

 

[james terrio]

Bolsters are one thing... scales are quite another.

 

[Halbrust]

I like the look of titanium scales. But it is way expensive. I was thinking 416 would give a similar look, be easy to shape, and I could afford it.
Didn't think about the weight.

 

[TexasWade]

I wouldn't worry too much about the weight if you want to go with 416. The stuff works nice and there's plenty of ways to reduce weight. You can always inlay the handle and/or pocket the insides of the scales, or you could just use relatively thin scales or drill holes through... no end to what you can do. And to me a knife with a little bit of heft to it generally feels better than a featherweight anyway. I'm thinking I'll probably go with 416 for my next knife project but I won't do the really fine satin finish anymore. Not sure yet what finish I'm going to do exactly, but I want to be able to use the darn thing without thinking about messing up hours of finish work.