Are Micarta scales a must when buying BK16?

L

lightskyam

Joined
Mar 14, 2013
Messages
163
I'm ready to buy a BK16 but also see the micarta scales as an option to buy with the knife. Do they really make a big difference?
 
they give the knife a certain heft and warmth that is really really nice.
 
The factory scales are very comfortable to use
I like them and see no need to up to micarta

A simple non classy way to thicken them and make them very grippy is a bike inner tubing over the scales
 
neeman is right. Ther is no "need" to get the micarta but the micarta does feel better IMO. Kinda like getting the leather seats option when you buy a car. Not really necessary but, to me, totally worth it. :D
 
Not a must, but IMO the stock handles are pretty slippery, so in the past I've just used grip tape to wrap the handle like a hockey stick. That being said, micarta is my favorite handle material for fixed blades.
 
I may get around to some micarta one day, who knows. I melted divots in the factory grips with a soldering iron, then smoothed off the divot edges. Works ok, no complaints. I have micarta on my BK-2 and some of my ESEE's, I like it.
 
I just bought a bk2 with the micarta scales and I like it, not a necessity but if you can afford it I would get it.
 
Having the grips to my 16 sandblasted was the best move I ever made. That, with added liners, made it the PERFECT field knife for me. Need it done to more grips.
 
DerekH said:
Having the grips to my 16 sandblasted was the best move I ever made. That, with added liners, made it the PERFECT field knife for me. Need it done to more grips.
Click to expand...

I'm curious to see what this looks like. I'd like to see what the sand did to the plastic. Could you post a pic?
 
The Micarta makes the knife feel great in the hand. I got the factory ones. BTW they look good too.
 
Like others said, micarta is nice, but not a need. I'd put liners under the handles before I would buy micarta.
 
DerekH said:
Having the grips to my 16 sandblasted was the best move I ever made. That, with added liners, made it the PERFECT field knife for me. Need it done to more grips.
Click to expand...
Where did you take it to be sandblasted?
 
Not a must, but I REALLY like it on my 16.

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I'm a micarta fan, but I ran the ESEE survival class with a stock 16. Through rain and shine, I had no trouble with the Grivory.

P1060887_zpsa8456709.jpg
 
I like the Grivory, but I will admit that I do have some custom scales on my 16 and really like the feel.

I've been toying with the idea of spray painting some scales with rhino liner.....or the spray on chalkboard paint just to see how they would feel/hold up.
 
Micarta is great, but not a must.
Stainless bolts with Nylock nuts are a must have on any Becker in my opinion.
 
Full Disclosure: I make custom/handmade knives for a living. It's my job and passion, and I take it very seriously. As such, I get to carry and use whatever the heck I want. After all, field-testing is part of my job.

Having said that, if I could not make my own knives and could not afford a custom, I would happily buy and carry a stock BK-16 with the stock Grivory handles with a high degree of confidence in its comfort and performance. In fact, a stock BK-16 lives on my bug-out bag, as the knife I will have with me if for some reason that's the only chunk of gear I can have, and I can't bring my own customs. That's how much I like and trust it.

I've tested and examined a fair number of production knives in that size/design class, and all things considered, the BK-16 is my choice.
 
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