Can you replace pinned scales?

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pathfinder74

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Dec 15, 2005
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Can you replace scales like the FRN ones on the Native and Manix 2?

If so, how? Do you have to drill out the pins and then get news ones?
I'm guessing the torx screws on models like the G10 screw into the frame where the pins don't have threading, right?
 
Anything's possible, given the talent. Replacing the scales on an all screw construction knife that has full liners is the easiest, anything beyond that is harder.

The original FRN C41 Native Lightweight uses a 1 piece FRN handle. At the very least, replacing it means not only making new scales, but also making a replacement backspacer. Depending on what you choose for scales, and whether or not you want to be able to mount a clip and have it stay mounted, you may also want to consider making liners. Then you have to figure a way to put things back together. It can be done, but it takes a fair amount of talent. This started out as an all pinned FRN Atlantic Salt. Now, thanks to a very talented customizer, it has birdseye maple scales over titanium liners and a matching ti backspacer.

maple_wharn_atl3.jpg


The FRN Native 5 is all screw construction so it would be easier, but I'm not sure if the handle is 3 piece, with a separate backspacer, or two piece, in which case you'd still may need to fabricate a backspacer.

Manix Lightweight has a 3 peice handle, but it's all pins, except for the pivot, so new hardware at the very least. The ball lock carrier may also be inletted into the handles, so you may need to mill pockets for it in the scales.

None, IMHO, are projects for the faint of heart.
 
The Native 5 FRN looks like it has one pin. Am I not looking at the same thing you are?

Do they make male/female screws that are the same diameter as the pins that you could replace them with? Or make the holes slightly wider to accept that sort of screw?
 
Technically it's a pin, but I'm pretty sure it's a stepped pin, the part that's in the lockbar is fatter than the two outer ends. If that's the case, it can be reused.
 
I've done it on a straight razor. Removal without damage calls for a drill press and patience. Replacement or pinning new scales requires a Nicole or brass rod of matching diameter to the scale holes, a light ball peen hammer, and agin patience.
 
The native 5 frn does indeed have a stepped pin, but it is only two piece construction, with the backspace mostly part of the right scale, I took mine apart the other day...
 
Bentlink said:
I've done it on a straight razor. Removal without damage calls for a drill press and patience. Replacement or pinning new scales requires a Nicole or brass rod of matching diameter to the scale holes, a light ball peen hammer, and agin patience.
Click to expand...
Given the tools, patience, and skill, that would work with the pins used on most of the all stainless Spydercos. However, the fasteners used on the FRN ones would more properly be described as either rivets, in the case of older models, or two piece dome headed pins where one half press fits into the other. Both require destroying the fastener by grinding off one of its heads.

Davidfs said:
The native 5 frn does indeed have a stepped pin, but it is only two piece construction, with the backspace mostly part of the right scale, I took mine apart the other day...
Click to expand...
So, it's fairly easy to disassemble, but the OP would need to fabricate a backspacer, preferably metal, as well as scales.
 
pathfinder74 said:
Can you replace scales like the FRN ones on the Native and Manix 2?

If so, how? Do you have to drill out the pins and then get news ones?
I'm guessing the torx screws on models like the G10 screw into the frame where the pins don't have threading, right?
Click to expand...

On FRN models they are more than just scales. On most modern G10 knives the G10 is a scale, on top of a liner. On FRN knives the FRN is more significant in the composition of the knife. So you couldn't take off the FRN and replace it with G10 or some of the aftermarket scales intended to replace G10 scales.

I have not heard of anyone doing any disassembly on a Delica but people have done it on the Manix 2 lightweight FRN model. They drill out the pins, or basically drill off the heads of the pins, then pull the knife apart. This was normally done to swap blades. At least one person was able to find screws that would work to reassemble the FRN scales with the new blade inside.
 
bdmicarta said:
On FRN models they are more than just scales. On most modern G10 knives the G10 is a scale, on top of a liner. On FRN knives the FRN is more significant in the composition of the knife. So you couldn't take off the FRN and replace it with G10 or some of the aftermarket scales intended to replace G10 scales.

I have not heard of anyone doing any disassembly on a Delica but people have done it on the Manix 2 lightweight FRN model. They drill out the pins, or basically drill off the heads of the pins, then pull the knife apart. This was normally done to swap blades. At least one person was able to find screws that would work to reassemble the FRN scales with the new blade inside.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I was thinking that was exactly what could be done.
 
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