Are hand smoothed mags too smooth for you?

iamtoast

iamtoast

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Jun 18, 2008
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Worked my way back into my favorite busse, the NMSFNO. This specimen has hand smoothed black micarta magnum scales. I find I am missing the feel of the machined mags I remember from before. These scales feel much more likely to slip in my grip. Anybody else have this issue?

Any suggestions on how to improve the grip or should I try try to trade this knife for one with machined mags?
 
Same here. I like the texture of the machined grips a lot better.
You could probably get creative with a file and add some light texture yourself. I've never cared that much for wrapping the handle with para cord, or adding a covering like an innertube. Busse can replace the grips for you, but trading might be the most cost-effective.
 
I love the feel of the hand smoothed mags on the smaller knives like the SFNO-LE. The micarta surface is rough enough in itself that I don't find it at all lacking in grip for small-knife duties. I would not want them on my HH though, or anything larger. For me, machined canvas micarta is the way to go for anything likely to see chopping duty.
 
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Ok.... I'm the minority here. The smooth handles feel best. Like ALL the old school stuff. My smooth bolt smooth handle Shbm is one of the most comfortable. ......the handles are contoured enough to provide a gripping surface, but the lack of ridges has never interfered with the use.
 
That's one of the great things about Busses of course - we can choose whichever works best for each of us.

I would have thought, before using it, that the machined grip on my HH might cause hot-spots and blisters. I have found no such issues personally, although I've also read that many people prefer to use gloves for that reason.
 
I too like the smooth scales. Thats why I have most of my users with smooth G10 scales.
 
I like the texture of hand-smoothed scales, but not the grippiness. I take some sandpaper and rough it up a little.
 
IMHO, I believe that much of the success of busse is because of its aesthetics and a lot of it comes from the finish of the scales, I dont think they are too smooth compared with other brands, but I certainly believe they loose much of its personality, the originality of the machined scales is difficoult to find, even on customs...
 
I have NMSFNOs with each.... they are different but yet I like them both... the smooth is sitting in front of me just now... :D
 
Smooth is good. Especially canvas. I have smooth canvas on my large blades and it's awesome.
 
Just wet it when you work if it's canvas micarta, it gets more grippy when wet!
 
Actually, hand-smoothed then double cut is awesome. Yes, beadblasting the scales. Keeps the cool shaped look and smooth contours, but more grippy.
 
I would love to see the hand smoothed with a really aggressive aluminum oxide blasted option to really open those pores up for just a little more grip but not with the hot spots the machined handles give
 
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