Becker newbie: BK2 gen 2 question - Hollow Micarta scales?

Z

Zuology

Joined
Jan 19, 2013
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I impulse bought my first becker the other night/morning at 4:30am - a gen 2 BK2 that is growing on me startlingly quickly considering it landed in my hands less than 24 hours ago. I'm going to have a ridiculously good time customizing this beast, and one of the easiest mods is switching out the handle to micarta scales.

However, I noticed that the stock Grivory scales are hollow, and with the skeletonized tang offer a stash compartment for emergency items. Coincidentally, of all of the reviews I've read and videos I've seen, I have yet to see any mention the hollow handle cavity in any depth. I've already consumed all of the knowledge that is readily available in the forums, and haven't read any details on whether or not the micarta replacement scales are hollowed out or are solid blocks. If the micarta scales are solid like I suspect, I'll look into custom texturing the Grivory with a woodburner/soldering iron and/or filing.

Any other caveats to first-timer mods to the BK2 that anyone can recommend? I'm looking into getting a replacement Kydex sheath, although I'm really not terribly offended by the stock sheath (only issue being that it has a reputation for dulling the blade). Considering this is my first medium/large fixed blade, I've yet to really consider how I'll carry it when I'm out with it. I do know that I can't do leather yet, due to the cost, even though it is beautiful (some day, when I have at least 2-3 more Beckers).

I'm excited to join the Becker community and, given the hours of posts I've already read through, think I'll be laughing the whole way too. Real bunch of comedians in here!
 
Welcome! I've recently upgraded to the micarta handles and i really like the feel, look and weight on them. They are solid and sit flush with the handle tang. You'd have to remove a fair bit of material to fit anything in them. An issue with stashing stuff in the handle is access, right? You may as a well use a pouch or something similar to hold your stuff. Quicker access and you can carry more. Lots of great sheath makers out there. If you want kydex, many can be made to accept a pouch or storage.
 
Welcome to the forum and the BK-2. It is a great knife and compliments the many other Becker's that you will buy. I agree with BenchmadeBoy about about using a pouch. In an emergency do you really want to deal with an wrench, three screws and three nuts? Better off with a pouch or other holder.
 
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I wouldn't worry too much about the stock sheath. The only problem I had was with the retaining strap popping off. If you remove the knife from the sheath properly, it won't dull. I must have drawn mine 50 or 100 times the first two days I had it and it still shaved hair. As long as you don't drag the blade on the plastic it wont hurt anything. That being said, a lot of people get new sheaths made. I'm a leather kind of guy, so that's what I'll go with when I make mine.

I wouldn't bother using the scales as a storage compartment, either. In theory, it sounds cool. But as others have said, in reality, you have to mess with an Allen wrench and the three nuts and screws. You could easily secure a pouch or some kind to the stock sheath with some paracord.

If you plan on stripping your blade and you have the laser etched logo - if you want it to show up well after stripping you can etch it deeper with chemicals. There are threads on doing that here and elsewhere, just Google around.

If you are any good at woodworking - instead of buying the Micarta scales for 40 bucks you could make your own out of a chunk of white oak from Home Depot for like eight bucks. Just trace the scales and sand to shape. It's easier than you'd think to match the contours of the original handles.

I haven't messed with my mods in a while, gotta get back to it!
 
My dream is to own a full shop with drill presses and bandsaw and all sorts of fun power tools, but alas I live in a more urban areas and am of limited resources. Otherwise, I'd be pressing my own kydex, stitching my own leather, and building just about everything from scratch.

In regards to the hollow handle storage, I was thinking of complete oh-shit emergency supplies that wouldn't be accessed frequently, and also would seal the scales with some silicone or waterproof seal. Carrying around an Allen wrench for that sole purpose seems too single purpose, but I'm contemplating a fire steel rod with an Allen wrench cap/tip attachment for ease and consolidation of tools. Thoughts?
 
Zuology said:
My dream is to own a full shop with drill presses and bandsaw and all sorts of fun power tools, but alas I live in a more urban areas and am of limited resources. Otherwise, I'd be pressing my own kydex, stitching my own leather, and building just about everything from scratch.

In regards to the hollow handle storage, I was thinking of complete oh-shit emergency supplies that wouldn't be accessed frequently, and also would seal the scales with some silicone or waterproof seal. Carrying around an Allen wrench for that sole purpose seems too single purpose, but I'm contemplating a fire steel rod with an Allen wrench cap/tip attachment for ease and consolidation of tools. Thoughts?
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The fact that you are even posing this question tells me that you are alot like me (and probably most of the guys here). We tend to be over-prepared for any situation. I considered the same question. After much thought on the matter, I decided that even in an emergency survival situation, I probably wouldnt use whatever I put in the handle. I would have to first lose the ferro rods on my sheath, in my pocket and the multiple fire starting methods in my firekit (waterproof matches/Bic/Flint&Steel/ferro&mag bar) that rides in my bag. If I cant start a fire with all of that or lose all of those items, I have no business being out there in the first place. Just my thoughts.
 
Zuology said:
In regards to the hollow handle storage, I was thinking of complete oh-shit emergency supplies that wouldn't be accessed frequently, and also would seal the scales with some silicone or waterproof seal. Carrying around an Allen wrench for that sole purpose seems too single purpose, but I'm contemplating a fire steel rod with an Allen wrench cap/tip attachment for ease and consolidation of tools. Thoughts?
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A fire steel with a bit of wrench sticking out of the top of the cap and long enough to access the screws would certainly work. If it makes you feel more comfortable to put emergency supplies into the handle of your knife, go right ahead. It should not add much extra weight to your kit and may make a difference in the field.
 
I have heard of people putting some line and fishing hooks in there. It would be something you dont use much but would come in real handy if you need it.
 
Psyop said:
I have heard of people putting some line and fishing hooks in there. It would be something you dont use much but would come in real handy if you need it.
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But then you'd have to have the right tools laying around to open the scales, no? Wouldn't this be very impractical, adding more weight to f.e. hiking equipment that isn't really necessary (if you keep the fishing hooks in let's say a small ziplock bag, that would weigh less than the tools to remove the scales)?
 
If I considered the extra weight to be that critical, I would leave one of the cans of beer behind. No, wait! What was I thinking? Sorry.
 
Just sayin' guys. When I go for a trip outdoors, bringing torx screw drivers is not the first thing that comes to mind ;-).
Beers, they are essential for survival. That's a totally different story ;-)
 
Switch out the stock bolts to phillips head stainless bolts. Your SAK will open a phillips head last time I checked.
 
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