Are elk scales supposed to be this thick?

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Just got a Custom shop 110 with Elk scales and it is a chunk!
Is this to be expected and I just didn't know what I was ordering, or should I contact them and see if they can be replaced?
It feels ok in the hand but getting it in a sheath especially one used with other 110's is going to cause some issues.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I have a custom similar to yours but mine came from Uncle Leroy. I love the thickness. Look at them as a palm swell. I think it makes mine easier to grip.

 

[ErikMB]

Personally, I like the generous scales as they make the knife easier to grip.

 

[hhmoore]

Is this to be expected
View attachment 1915338

It is not unexpected. Consider yourself lucky they're fairly symmetrical (I rarely purchase elk or stag if I can't see the finished knife first, because asymmetric scales - while loved by some - are a huge disappointment to me & condemn the knife to sale or inglorious life in a box)

 

[eveled]

I have one that is even fatter. You will need to keep it with the same sheath. Once stretched out, any other 110 will flop around in it.

Now that I’ve compared the pictures yours may be fatter. I was going to return mine. Its really quite ugly. Then I held it, and it sort of locked into my hand and I fell in love.

If you don’t have a similar experience you should probably return it. You’ll never be happy with it.

Antler is a natural material, there will be variations, but there is an art to picking the right two pieces to go on a specific knife. Then the artist needs to haft them correctly.

There are no artists working at Buck anymore. You take your chances ordering antler sight unseen from Buck.

 

[eveled]

Clearly these needed to be thinned from the back side before they were put on the knife. No gaps no splits smooth transition from bolsters to scales. So some talent went into this knife, but no artistic eye.

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Buck said that is within their quality for elk handles.

Lesson learned don't buy sight unseen anymore.

It does fill the hand nicely, but the 110's with flat scales aren't lacking in that department and the sheath limitations make it a no go for me. Might have to find someone to change the scales for me to something slimmer.

 

[eveled]

Nebuchadnezzar I’d like to see pictures of yours from the sides.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Mine are similar and that's how I like them.

 

[mrknife]

Thick chunky stag is certainly better than the anorexic slabs ive seen. you can always mod or shave it down. but if you get slivers, your kinda stuck unless a total rescale.

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

Nebuchadnezzar I’d like to see pictures of yours from the sides.

 

[eveled]

Not terrible, but they would have been stunning if they were thinned from the back first.

 

[skypeace]

Looks right to me, mine is similar, but can't photograph it as its in the Buck shop for spring lock issues.

 

[pholder]

Hell no, sorry all but 50% of the textured surface has been removed. I would be happier if they were machined flush, smooth uniformity at least

 

[gedlicks]

I am installing some home cut elk scales right now and should be done later tonight. Will post a couple pictures when finished of how I like them done.

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I am installing some home cut elk scales right now and should be done later tonight. Will post a couple pictures when finished of how I like them done.

Interested in seeing how they turn out.

 

[MattWRog]

Looks good to me for what it’s worth. One of a kind. Have Gary W. Graley make you a sheath custom fit for it, or maybe one of Horsewright sheaths would be perfect for it.

 

[eveled]

I think Buck is afraid of having bark at the bolsters. When the bark valleys are below the bolsters people complain. Also then a decision needs to be made. Leave the bolster alone with that sharp edge, or continue the valley into the bolster to taper off.

I've seen it both ways, and I’ve heard people complaining about both.

Stag is beautiful and controversial. Buying sight unseen is risky.

 

[bertl]

I think Buck is afraid of having bark at the bolsters. When the bark valleys are below the bolsters people complain. Also then a decision needs to be made. Leave the bolster alone with that sharp edge, or continue the valley into the bolster to taper off

This 500 is perfectly flush to the bolsters on one side and has slight bark valleys on the other. Where the bolster edge is exposed it is well rounded over so there is no sharp edge. I prefer that to beveling the stag and eliminating a lot of the bark.

Bert

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

This 500 is perfectly flush to the bolsters on one side and has slight bark valleys on the other. Where the bolster edge is exposed it is well rounded over so there is no sharp edge. I prefer that to beveling the stag and eliminating a lot of the bark.

Bert

View attachment 1916441View attachment 1916442

That is more like what is shown on their website and in line with what I was expecting.