Artisan Shark Grip Handle

[diamdave]

I have an Artisan Shark, 4" version, been thinking about selling but just can't seem to part with it. Excellent in so many ways, especially for the money. If I wanted to put on gripper handles, could you point me in the right direction? thanks.

 

[donnord]

Does it have the inlay? I would be surprised if someone mass or small batch produced scales for that knife. But if that inlay is removable you could replace something grippier. Stingray skin is great but expensive and tricky to work with. Skateboard tape is grippy but uglyish.

 

[diamdave]

No inlay, just the basic model, no carbon fiber or anything. I never find skateboard tape to work or stay all that well. Really wish I could find something like the kraton cold steel uses, or similar.

 

[donnord]

I agree on the skateboard tape. I had a Buck 119 that was slippery and I just scuffed it and cut grooves in the handle. But it does not look great, it does feel better now.

 

[fishface5]

If you don't want to make new scales you can either put stuff on the existing scales, or take stuff off. Putting stuff on a flat knife scale that gets pulled in and out of a pocket doesn't always stay in place for long, although if you don't like skateboard tape you could epoxy on some real sharkskin, maybe a stronger adhesive would help it stay put. To add texture by material removal you could file in some cross-hatched lines, or draw a grid and then use a ball-tip Dremel bit to make dimples in each box. Or you could carefully mark evenly-spaced lines along just the outer edges of the scales and then use a round file to relieve each mark.