Cocobolo scales on my BK2

L

LostInTN

Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
23
I started on these a few weeks ago. My first try was pretty close, but once I got to putting them on the blade the holes didn't line up. I ended up re-doing the backside (the one with the nuts). I'm happy with the outcome, though I really, really wish I could find some 10/32 black screws that I don't have to buy in bulk. The original ones are too short.





And with my LMF
 
Wow, that is some beautiful work. I like that CB alot, I used to have scales on one of my 1911's that would match that perfect. Probably best send me that knife, so, the wood handles don't get damaged:D

Seriously, great work, looks good. Lost in Chattanooga, eh? Well, head down to TacoMac's and have a beer, I'll send Mistwalker down to get you soon:cool:

Welcome, and glad to see another Tennesseean along these forums.

Moose
 
Those came out great. Nice job.

I just did a few sets out of teak. Lotta' work, but like the look of wood handles.
 
TacoMac is good stuff. I've only been there once though =) Sadly, I guess that I can't really say I'm lost anymore. I'm one of those damn yankees, just feel lost most of the time.

These were really the first wood shaping project I've done. I clamped my belt sander down to a portable work table and did the rough shaping. Then used the dremel to get more precise on the shape, and ALOT of elbow grease with 200/400/600 grit sandpapers. And those hex holes for the nuts were a heck of a hard time to chisel out.
 
Are you kidding me? Those are stunning. You don't actually use that masterpiece. That goes in a glass display case right? You have a stunt double to actually use. Wow. Great work.
 
The problem I would have with beautiful scales (like those) is I wouldn't want to use the knife to keep it looking pristine. It looks real classy.
 
Awesome man. Gonna have to get some of that wood. I kept screwing up the alignment of the holes until a cabinet maker at work told me to drill all the holes and perform all your milling operations before you cut the slabs into 2 pieces. Works awesome, and im pissed I didn't know that before I screwed up some nice wood.

Also theirs tricks to make the stock screws work. I needed a drill press with depth stop and a micrometer. Becker grivory is .103 to .105 at the bolt shelf.

Man what a process. Its cool to know how to do it though.
 
That is so frickin' beautiful.

BTW, I thought Camillus had a clever way of making their micarta scales.
It appears as tho an mill bit is used to drill a hole the diameter of the flats, and then milled about 1 hole's length fore/aft. The result is a pair of flush-fitting flats that grab opposite sides of the nut while the ends have clearance for the points. Much simpler, I think, tho perhaps easier to control with commercial equipment.

-Daizee
 
What a great looking bit of woodwork! Nice job, looks real smooth and comfortable, and the rich colors on the cocobolo really stand out against the matte black blade.
 
WOW.....This is a FIRST time project?????.....Makes me feel thumble thumbed......Very, Very nice work sir.....

I can surely relate to your "displacement"......I spent the first 59 years of my life "north of the line".........Having the best time of my life here and now.......Only thing I miss is seeing long time friends on a regular basis.......For an outdoor lover this area is paradise........

Thanks for dropping by and sharing your work.......Really nice ......

All Best.....

ethan
 
LostInTN said:
I started on these a few weeks ago. My first try was pretty close, but once I got to putting them on the blade the holes didn't line up. I ended up re-doing the backside (the one with the nuts). I'm happy with the outcome, though I really, really wish I could find some 10/32 black screws that I don't have to buy in bulk. The original ones are too short.





And with my LMF
Click to expand...

Amazing work! Those look fantastic. :thumbup:
 
Man now that I look at those on my home computer, those are incredible. Real attention to detail there.
 
Those handles look like a custom shop job!They have the same contours of the Becker Grivory handles,only in that beautiful Cocobolo,superb!!
 
Wow, thanks for the compliments!

It was tough at first to get these to fit into the original sheath. After some Dremel work, it's a good fit. To do the hex holes I got a set of these woodcarving tools (http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-woodcarving-chisel-set-95064.html) and a set of these files (http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-precision-needle-file-set-4614.html). It takes FOREVER to get the basic shape, then it's back and forth between trying to fit the nut in, file some more, try again, file, try, repeat. When it gets down to being really close I cheated and just cranked the nut in with a screw from the other side. I risked chipping the wood when taking the nut out, but it worked. The first attempt actually did chip pretty bad, learned my lesson there.

This was also my first time using any "fine" wood. I've done some outdoorsy projects (planter, bench, 2x4 stuff) and some home remodeling, but nothing ever to really show off. I was real worried when first sanding down the cocobolo, it turned a real strange purple color and I didn't think I'd ever get it back to the pretty color it had when I bought the blanks. After the fine sandpaper though it came around. Also (no one told me this when I bought the wood) cocobolo can act like poison ivy when breathing in the dust so wear a respirator when working with it.

I did tell my wife that I need to get another BK-2 to actually "use". She rolled her eyes of course, then gave me the death glare.
 
Ethan Becker said:
WOW.....This is a FIRST time project?????.....Makes me feel thumble thumbed......Very, Very nice work sir.....

I can surely relate to your "displacement"......I spent the first 59 years of my life "north of the line".........Having the best time of my life here and now.......Only thing I miss is seeing long time friends on a regular basis.......For an outdoor lover this area is paradise........

Thanks for dropping by and sharing your work.......Really nice ......

All Best.....

ethan
Click to expand...
Wow, that means alot coming from you. Yea, first time making something to look at, other than some remodeling projects around the house. I'm a graphic designer for my day job, so I feel I need to have whatever I work on look as close to perfect as I can get it.

I hear you on the friends. Though for my wife and I, the family is up north and our friends are down here. A good friend of ours told us "You always visit family, it's harder to visit friends." It was a good point, so made the decision to stick in Chattanooga. Like it alot down here. The snow was a good "reminder" of home =)

Thanks again!
 
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