Can I make and fit new scales on my Delica 4?

RetiredGuns

RetiredGuns

Joined
Mar 13, 2009
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I have an FRN Delica that I thought about putting new scales on. Since it's an inexpensive knife and material can be bought relatively cheap, I thought it might be a neat winter project and something to tinker with. My question is what material would be the safest and easiest? Knifekits has G10, Carbon fiber and micarta slabs that look like it would work. I have a small band saw and a couple disk sanders. The G10 is always nice as I really like it on my Para D2 but it seems like it might be difficult to cut, sand and such. Would a standard shop mask be O.K. or is a respirator recommended? Any tips would help.
Thanks.
 
I'm not an expert by any means but if this is your first time making scales you shouldn't waste your money on carbon fiber. It is too expensive a material to be learning on.

I think you will want a respirator for working any of the materials you mentioned.
 
None of the materials you mentioned are very "safe" to work with. The dust is carcinogenic and itchy. Micarta is somewhat less horrible to work with than G10 and CF, from a safety standpoint. Use a quality respirator when working with any of the material you mentioned. I like using organic vapor cartridges because the resin can overheat and give off fumes.

Wood is easier to work with (in my opinion), but many woods are nearly as irritating/dangerous as G10 and CF.

From a working standpoint, I actually prefer grinding G10 over the other synthetics. It's smooth and easy to control. It is a bear to cut, though. If you don't use diamond blades, expect to dull the heck out of whatever you use.

The Delica isn't the easiest knife to mod (the nested liners bug me), but some people have gotten good results.
 
Phillip Dobson said:
Wood is easier to work with (in my opinion), but many woods are nearly as irritating/dangerous as G10 and CF.
Click to expand...

I found that out the hard way. I work on acoustic guitars from time to time and after sanding some Cocobolo I was sick for a couple days. My nose felt like I snorted black pepper and my stomach ached horribly. I'll heed your advice for sure.
 
If you have an FRN Delica, keep in mind that the liners are nested. They aren't "full liners" like on the G10 models.
 
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