Best way to get canvas micarta handles on my RC-4??

S

-sro-

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Aug 1, 2009
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Hi all!

I have an RC-4, black with plain blade and linen micarta handles. I really like the canvas micarta better.

I called RAT today to see if they could send or sell me a set and they told me that the dimensions would be slightly off depending on which run the handles were from.

Knowing this it appears that I am SOL no matter what, but I have seen other people on the forum with a black RC-4 and canvas micarta handles so I thought I would post before I give up.

Thanks
 
check with one of the knifemaking suppliers or custom builders to see if they would sell you some 3/8" scales - or what it would cost to have a custom set made for you?
 
Even if the dimensions would be slightly off - how 'bout a flat file and an hour of elbow grease to make it fit perfectly? I'd try to persuade them to send them, with the option of returning them untouched if they deviate too much, S/H paid two ways by you. I guess you're in the States so that would set you back $10 or so in case they're REALLY off - which I can't imagine. I think they'd deviate not more than fractions of an inch. I know I'd give it a shot.
 
I wouldn't hesitate to buy the material from a place like this and file them down to fit myself. I rehandled an old folder of mine that had lost its scales years ago, it wasn't too tough.
 
ron_m80 said:
I wouldn't hesitate to buy the material from a place like this and file them down to fit myself. I rehandled an old folder of mine that had lost its scales years ago, it wasn't too tough.
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can you give a quick rundown on what this process is? it's been real hard to find exactly what i need to do. im not that handy yet so i dont really have any tools. i do have a dremel and some sandpaper. you think that's enough?
 
awad said:
can you give a quick rundown on what this process is? it's been real hard to find exactly what i need to do. im not that handy yet so i dont really have any tools. i do have a dremel and some sandpaper. you think that's enough?
Click to expand...

You mean how i did my folder, or how one would put slabs on a knife like the RC-4?

I have trouble with reading posts wrong or just flat out mis-interpreting them sometimes, i think. You mean with a prodcut like 3/8" x 5" x 1.5" a drill bit in a drill, a file, and some sand paper, you couldn't fomulate a plan to change out handle scales to any measurable degree of acceptance? I didn't see the mystery of it. I had to add epoxy so it would stick to the folder but thats because i wasn't using hardware to affix it.

Edit: a file would help you emencely IMO that Mikcarta is tough stuff. the dremel will help alot, thats what i used to finish the close work on my folder.
Its easier to put the shinny surface of the micarta to the tang and shape the rough side. Good luck, its easier than i think you imagine it to be.
 
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If you want canvas handles, why don't you buy the desert tan RC-4 model. It comes standard with canvas micarta handles.
 
I thought about it but I wanted the black blade more than anything... The color doesnt really matter but all my other RC knives had black blades so I went with the same.
 
ron_m80 said:
You mean how i did my folder, or how one would put slabs on a knife like the RC-4?

I have trouble with reading posts wrong or just flat out mis-interpreting them sometimes, i think. You mean with a prodcut like 3/8" x 5" x 1.5" a drill bit in a drill, a file, and some sand paper, you couldn't fomulate a plan to change out handle scales to any measurable degree of acceptance? I didn't see the mystery of it. I had to add epoxy so it would stick to the folder but thats because i wasn't using hardware to affix it.

Edit: a file would help you emencely IMO that Mikcarta is tough stuff. the dremel will help alot, thats what i used to finish the close work on my folder.
Its easier to put the shinny surface of the micarta to the tang and shape the rough side. Good luck, its easier than i think you imagine it to be.
Click to expand...

thanks! sorry for being so vague earlier, i've read a few write ups and they've always mentioned some sort of belt sander, and having never worked with a slab of micarta, i wasn't sure if that was fully necessary. i figured i could just sketch it out and sand away the excess material. i think i just need to grab a slab and do it rather than worrying about how im gonna do it.

thanks again.
 
If you have access to a bandsaw and router table you're golden.
Trace your scales on the material, drill your holes & run them across a round-over bit in the router and voila.
 
yeah, thats the problem for me. i don't really have access to those things. i don't mind using a manual method as long as it's actually possible.
 
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