BK5 handle

ivan51

ivan51

Joined
Dec 9, 2003
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Thinking about swapping out the stock handles which do you guys prefer micarta or G10?
 
ivan51 said:
Thinking about swapping out the stock handles which do you guys prefer micarta or G10?
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I think it's more important what do you prefer :D I like micarta and g-10. I have KaBars VZ s on my 5 and like them a lot they are the same size as the nylon but added a little weight . Tkc g-10 for the large Beckers are thinner and offer more color options and use a different screw set up it's nice looking. Here's a pic of the VZs. The checkered grip can be sanded to your liking. No other color options. Micarta lots of colors:DView attachment 737645
 
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I like wood on the 5.
Either should serve you quite well.
In general, I get more compliments on TKC G10 than on home-made micarta.
 
I would also agree with keeping the stock handles on the bk5.

I personally like a more blade heavy balance in a knife, I would not want to add extra weight to the handle.

kabar sells extra stock handles in different colors. It would not be my first choice, but its an option.
 
Most of the common hardwoods are actually less dense than the Grivory/Zytel/nylon the stock Becker scales are made of. Micarta is a bit more, and G10 quite a bit more. .
[0.5ish, 0.6-0.7, 0.8, and 1.0 ounces per cubic inch, respectively.)
TKC lists stock plastic scales at 2.8oz, Ka-Bar Micarta at 3.1oz, and their own G10 scales at 3.8oz. I would expect the stockers to be a little less than that since they are skeletonized / not completely solid.

Since most common hardwoods come in a little less than 1/2 the density of G10, for the same size, they should weigh about 1.8-2.0oz.
I don't have a scale that accurate, tend to make mine slightly oversize, and always add liners, so cannot confirm accuracy of calculations.

Stock knife weighs 11.9-12 oz, depending upon source.
 
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Just get whatever feels best. It's a working tool, if you're woods loafin' it won't matter.

I doubt anyone going UL would even consider anything this size/weight.
 
NCSlice said:
Just get whatever feels best. It's a working tool, if you're woods loafin' it won't matter.

I doubt anyone going UL would even consider anything this size/weight.
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Weight discussion wasn't so much for going lightweight, but for maintaining the magical as-delivered balance in the hand, while improving grip/aesthetics/personalizing/whatever.
 
The balancing point now with the heavier VZ scales on is the first screw toward the blade .With the 5 in your hand it is still blade heavy and feels better to me then stock . :thumbsup: Just saying use what ever makes you happy stock , wood , micarta or g-10 :D
 
bearfacedkiller said:
One of the 5's biggest strengths is how light it is for it's size. For this reason I stuck with the stock scales.
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I just hit my stock handles with some sandpaper to scuff the surface without adding hot spots or weight.

My 5 is a bit lighter than most since I thinned the blade, so any handle material change would be felt much more so.
 
I personally never cared for the micarta scales. Some love them though. I got some with the BK10LE. Tried them, but didn't care for the feel of them. I like the grivory personally. I don't find it slick, as some do, and, no hot spots. I do like the wood scales I bought for my Cam 2. Smooth, like the grivory.
 
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