Becker knives handles

[cbach8tw]

Just a quick question, so here it goes. The handles on the Beckers are GV6 glass reinforced, and I have heard they can be slick when wet. Has anyone tried modifiying the handle to give it more texture? Such as using sand paper to scrape the handle and create more friction? I have heard others state they got micarta scales with ridges. I like the shape of the handles of my Becker companion and Utility 7, but was wondering what others who have used them more than me thought about the handles.

 

[CWL]

Make sure you use high quality breathing filtration if you are going to "mess around" with glass reinforced materials. Breathing any glass into your lungs is a BAD idea.

But if you do it safely, yes, you can add some texture to the grips by sanding it. I'd suggest that you start with 320 grit and see how it feels. If not, then drop down to 220. When you retexture the grips, be careful that you do not overdo it as you can create friction 'hot spots' that'll injure your hands during hard use.

 

[galen59]

I have quite a few Beckers and I love to play with 'em, sometime ago I tryed the course sand paper, dremel rework, I didn't like it, now I use the handles as templates and make wood grips, the knives work so much better being wood and not as thick, I even wraped one in paracord, didn't like it though.. G.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Let’s see if we can find the right forum …

 

[sir woodley]

I've done the sandpaper thing on a few of my Beckers. Works well. I think I breathed it all in though. Anyway thats been a few years gone by. I also have on some a Bicycle Inter Tube cut to proper size, ribbed and grippy. That seems to work REALLY well for me on my Beckers. Great trick! Enjoy, M

 

[orca8589]

I used a rat-tail file, and cut slots in the handle - 23 slots, about 1/16" - 1/8" apart. Don't cut too deep, then give the whole thing a good hard brushing with a stiff wire brush. Works perfectly for what I needed. If you don't have a rat-tail, a hacksaw will work just as well, but it's a little more difficult to make a "course correction" if you start crooked; if it's a user knife, that wouldn't matter anyway.

I also have on some a Bicycle Inter Tube cut to proper size, ribbed and grippy. That seems to work REALLY well for me on my Beckers. Great trick! Enjoy, M

(edits mine) I learned that trick from my dad years ago; it works really well on some of my tools, but on any heavy use tool/knife I end up with giant blisters. Same reason I can't use the Pachmayr rubber grips on my Ruger.

thx - cpr