Anyone try DNA lasered aluminum scales on a Grivory AD20.5?

The reason I ask...

I tried some DNA laser-engraved aluminum scales for my AD20.5 Grivory model. They look great and seemed to fit well at first but the knife wouldn't function quite right and the pocket clip screws no longer would reach the threads... too short. Apparently, the aluminum scales are just a tiny bit thicker than the OEM Grivory ones. I think a hardware kit with longer screws/pivot might be necessary. I e-mailed Derrick and received an immediate response telling me he'd mail me out another set that day and that he'd also be willing to send a pre-paid mailing label if I wanted or needed to return the scales.

It's been 13 days and there are no replacement scales, no return mailing label and no response to my last e-mails (13 days ago and another since then). His first response after I reported my difficulty was immediate and seemed to show great customer care. My e-mail to him was positive; not demanding or angry-toned by any means. That's why I'm curious as to why everything suddenly went dead. My first thought was actually worry; I hope everything is OK.
 
After an entire morning of tinkering, I got the knife so it functions properly. Initially, if I tightened the pivot enough to eliminate blade play, there was binding of the blade. If I loosened the pivot enough to eliminate the binding, the pivot was not close to being snug and there was unacceptable horizontal blade play.

I was able to start with the pivot pretty loose and some blade play, then tighten it very slightly. This would cause some mild binding, but it would soon disappear. Then, another tiny fraction of a turn on the pivot screw. Again, some minor binding that would soon go away. Eventually, I got to the point where the blade play was eliminated AND the action was easy enough for the blade to open and close by gravity, like my other AD20.5 knives do. Maybe there was a bit of twist in the aluminum scales?

My only remaining issue is the the pocket clip screws are now too short... they're only catching by a couple of threads. I'm currently searching for some longer ones (as soon as I verify what size the originals are).

I never did get another response from Derrick...
 
I had the same issue with Birkshire scales. As in the exact same problems. And I used their Ti hardware kit which made it worse. Went back to steel hardware and that was better but then the pivot was still a problem. Back to grivory and the knife is perfect again. Pretty sure I'm done playing dress up with that one.
 
Here is my AD20.5 (originally Grivory/D2) with the lasered aluminum scales in place. I think they are impressive...

EE6zGJi.jpg


3krerFZ.jpg

I'm still looking for definitive information on the size of the pocket clip screws. My measurements showed them to be 3mm in diameter and 5mm long. I guess that would mean M3 x 6mm? But I found a post on the forums identifying them as M2.5 x 5. I sent a query to Demko but haven't heard back...
 
Last edited:
I found some M3 screws in my shop. They are a tiny bit too large in diameter. I guess I'll look for some M2.5 screws.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top