anyone mess with handle texture?

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FLINT77

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Apr 8, 2013
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Hi all. I have a small collection of the 'classic' buck fixed blade knives (102 - 120). I carry them hunting, hiking, and doing trail work. Conditions are often wet and/or sweaty when on the trail and the buck knives are great for this because of the stainless steel, but definitely not great because the super smooth phenolic handles.

I'm a weird mix of collector and user. I use all of my knives, but still get pleasure out of admiring my collection.

I was thinking about whether there was a way to decrease the slipperyness of the handles without making them look goofy and without increasing the diameter of the handles. My first thought was maybe spreading a super thin layer of some kind of silicone type adhesive on there - but not sure there is a way to do that without making it look like a smeary mess.

If anyone has modified a phenolic handle for better grip I'd love to see pictures.

Thanks.
 
You could sandblast the handle but UGH! probably not that much gain and can't undo it.
You could try wrapping the handle with rifle "camo" tape. Not that thick and you can easily undo it after your day out and about. No sure but possibly bicycle handle bar tape might do the same. Up front cost to try would be minimal.

The ultimate solution in my mind would be to find the Kraton handle 600 series versions of the 100 series knives. 102=602, 119=619 etc. Kraton is a rubber created by DuPont in the 50's. Kraton has a unique property which makes it perfect for knife handles. Unlike most rubbers that get a bit slippery when wet, Kraton does just the oposite and becomes tacky for a good grip. Buck used Kraton on the 123, 125, and 127 series fillet knives. The are discontinued but show up on the bay once in awhile and won't break the bank. Shown below is a model 620 Campmate.
620.Campmate.1988.jpg
 
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My first thought was bicycle inner tube if you could find one with small enough diameter.

Shrink tubing would work. Amazon has up to 3” diameter listed. It has adhesive inside. So it might be permanent. You might be able to just add rings instead of the entire handle.

3M makes a rubber tape that sticks to itself, but has no adhesive.

There are also kits made to dip tool handles in rubber.

Much more permanent. Use a narrow round file to file grooves around the handles if the grooves aren’t enough, stretch O rings onto the handle and into the grooves.
 
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I saw one for sale with pebbled appearance, kinda like peachseed jigging on the black phenolic handle. It appeared melted and not ground, but I dont really know. It looked like someone really took there time with it. I didnt get a pic. It was a 119 on a table at a gunshow.
 
Thanks guys, keep em coming. I don't mind permanent modification, as long as it doesn't look terrible. I'd rather not add tape or sleeves to the handles.

another thought was a little sand and some kind of spray adhesive or something like that.
 
If you want something to look nice, I’d find someone that does checkering and have them add it to the handle. If you end up going the route of coating the handle, tape off the bolsters and spray it with a layer of plasti-dip, you can get it in many colors and if you ever get sick of it, it can be peeled off. My buddy did his entire pickup truck which held up great for a few years until he got tired of the color and took it off.
 
I'm with Jsega51 Jsega51 . There is bound to be someone in your area who does checkering for rifle stocks. If not, I can think of one in Eastern Canada off the top of my head, but before looking him up, see if there is someone on the Exchange here who can work with you. I think a professional checkering job on a Buck handle would be terrific! You could even get a hunting design or a monogram.

Zieg
 
Same boat. Along with feeling the grips on my 119 and 117 were too... Square. Like, not enough flatness for my hands and edge alignment.

I used an electric file (tiny belt sander) to add flats to the 119, and a quick checkering job with a chainsaw file. Repolished grip to a matte finish, much happier.

The 117 got a similar treatment. I used a lower grit belt and did the whole grip. Slimmed it down, and left the rough texture. Came out pretty good.

Maybe not pretty, but they aren't collector items.

IMG-20230608-090211366.jpg
 
HolyRoller said:
Same boat. Along with feeling the grips on my 119 and 117 were too... Square. Like, not enough flatness for my hands and edge alignment.

I used an electric file (tiny belt sander) to add flats to the 119, and a quick checkering job with a chainsaw file. Repolished grip to a matte finish, much happier.

The 117 got a similar treatment. I used a lower grit belt and did the whole grip. Slimmed it down, and left the rough texture. Came out pretty good.

Maybe not pretty, but they aren't collector items.

IMG-20230608-090211366.jpg
Click to expand...
Nicely done. Those look great and functional.
 
David Martin ( R.I.P) used to say ya could sand the handle with courser sand paper to roughen them up and get more grip. I've never tried it....but I seem to remember someone had done it in the past with decent results. how ya do the sanding matters pattern wise of course.
 
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