becker handels

S

shaft

Joined
Jul 28, 2003
Messages
121
thanks for all your imput on becker campanion or master hunter, I have chosen the becker, now the only complaint Iv heard is the slick handels so who makes others for them, can I cord wrap them like a strider, can it be wrapped like a japenese sword.???




SEMPER FI:mad:
 
You have a lot of options with those handles. You can remove the scales and make new ones, or wrap the blade too. Doing a "japanese wrap", of which tere are many varieties, would be a bit difficult because fo the curvature of tha handle, but you could wrap a substantial portion of it. You can also try texturing the scales somehow, and of you goof up, new ones are something like $5 from Camillus :)

The smooth handles should be better for extended use. Try 'em out before you think you need to do anything to them.
 
Mostly what bugged me was the knob on the right rear of the handle. I'm right handed. So I filed it down to my liking. Be careful not to file too much 'cause the handles are hollow. Take the handles off at some point. After filing, I sanded with 40 grit and in some places 60 grit sandpaper. This sounds terrible but actually left a decent looking and great feeling handle. I actually like the feel of my Becker now better than my Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. The Becker is more handfilling. I have large hands though. Removable scales is a great feature.
 
ive got a really easy solution.

i thought my bk9 handle was a little slick, so i took an old boke tire innertube and cut it into short lengths so it looked like a thick rubber band and then just stretched them over the handle, it works, and if you want to be careful, after you used it in water etc make sure you take off the bands because they may keep some drops of water against the knife, resulting in rust.
 
Considering the relative ease and low cost of replacemnet scales I'd try Dip-It, the liquid rubber stuff made for tool handles. You can either Dip-It as the name implies or paint it on. Available in various colors from many large hardware stores.

phantom4
 
Here's another idea. Take the handle scales off and have them sand/bead blasted to give them some texture.
 
I cheated. I got some black tennis grip tape and wrapped it. Not the absorbent or padded stuff. Works fine, adds padding and gripability, although it's not permanent. I'll eventually get them sand blasted I think. I thought of the inner tube because of my Rugers, but didn't try it. Should work.
 
Guys,
The BK&T handle was designed for knives that are used allot, especially the bigger models that are swung for hacking and chopping. The smooth handle with the curves and contours give grip, without abrasion that leads to blisters and blood. Notice that farm tools usually have smooth, contoured handles;) ....and farmers usually get it right!

But, that being said, I know people like to modify knives, and they want to make the knives suit there particular tastes and needs....we are all different out there, ....that is why there is chocolate AND vanilla;) .....so with the BK&T bolt on handle scales, its easy for the user to modify to his or her heart's delight! Especially for the smaller knives here are 3 of my favorite modifications.....

1. Take the scales off, and stop by the neighborhood bodyshop and have them sandblasted. Gives plenty of traction, and if done right, looks OK also.

2. Traction tape, also called skateboard tape. Cheap, and user "customizable". With all of the contours on the BK&T scales, it usually works best to cut narrow strips, and strategically place them on the various areas of the scales. Basic black, or HOT PINK, the choice is yours:cool:

3. Some folks want the grip narrower side to side. The best way to achieve this is to take the scales off the knife and lay the BACK of the scale on a board covered in coarse sandpaper[I know, belt sanders are faster, but you don't need to remove much!]. Sand down the BACK of the scale a little at a time....remember, when you take off 1/16th" off both sides, that totals 1/8th", and trust me, that will feel like ALLOT. You still get the good contours, but the tang will stand above the scales a little depending on how much you remove.

If you get carried away, extra scales are available from customer service for $5 per pair....so there is no real crisis if you go to far with your mods and realize Ethan might have been smarter than you first though;)

Have fun!
 
I ordered some replacement scales for my BK-7 about 2 weeks ago, still waiting for them to arrive. That way I can have one to customize and one set factory original.

Anyone know how long it usually takes to get a set of scales from Camillus?

Thanks.
 
I use spray on bedliner from Wal-Mart on just about everything, including my knife handles.
 
It took 8 weeks for me to get a replacement BK 7 from Camillus. They shut down a week in July for vacation; still and all; don't hold your breath!
 
Originally posted by Will Fennell
If you get carried away, extra scales are available from customer service for $5 per pair....so there is no real crisis if you go to far with your mods and realize Ethan might have been smarter than you first though;)
Click to expand...

I've already posted something about those handles. I won't repeat myself too many times, but I'll have to say it: for my personal use (mostly around rivers), Ethan's design is not good. It's true that a soft handle will make it easier on the hands, but when those handles are wet, they do get very slippery.

I really appreciated something, though: it's very easy to remove those scales. That gives me freedom, and I like that. I tried with 5mm nylon cord, at first, wrapping it simply without the japanese cross-overs and stuff. Didn't work well. With such think cord, having two rows of cord over the handle was just too much, so I tried with paracord. I found the paracord to be very slippery (worse than the original design). Finally, I got myself a black leather piece that I cut into a 1/2" strap. I wrapped that around the handle using the Strider technique ( http://www.striderknives.com/html/handlewrapping.html ). That worked very well and I finally got a decent grip every time.

Go wonder why almsot all the traditional fixed bladed knives come with leather handles ;^) Besides, leather does not reflect light at all (plastic handles do, a little)...

Best regards,

David
 
Stippling might be the easy way to go.All you need is a round wood Rasp, a vise or C-clamp{some way to hold the Blade tight} then with two hand's and steady presure ROLL the Rasp over the part's you wish to stipple. Try it first on some scrap wood or plastic to get it right. I've done this on my S&W 640 backstrap ,BK 7,BK 9 and my Becker Companion.
 
I would really appreciate a picture of your stippling. Sounds like a possible solution for a couple of slick handles I have.
 
I did a "Strider" paracord wrap on mine...looks great but as mentioned not good for working with for long periods as it is not real comfy. If one were to grind the edges off the tang it may change the "sharpness" of the feel with the paracord.
 
do not have way to post photo's ,but will search for example's on the net and post same.
 
Originally posted by FivePointOhh
Here's another idea. Take the handle scales off and have them sand/bead blasted to give them some texture.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I remember reading somewhere that a guy did just that and was extremely pleased with the results.

If cosmetics aren't an issue, try wrapping the handle in skateboard tape.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top