Condor Boomslang handle: Like it or not?

jimh0220

jimh0220

Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
3,010
I love my boomslang (sounds like a dirty word..... he he he!), but as I use it more, I notice a slippy feel to it due the what I thought was one of the best handle features: the smooth mircata and well finished feel. Anyone else have the same experience, and moreover, anyone find a way to fix it?
 
I've noticed when the micarta gets wet on my boomslang it turns to rubber. I love everything about the boomslang to be honest especially the handle. I wouldn't call it slippery at least in my experience but it's definitely not the grippiest (is that a word?) handle I've used. I've been using the boomslang for a lot of chopping and wood processing for about 10 months now and besides my HI Kukri it's my favorite, it's excellent at what it does.
 
Three solutions that i am familiar with:

1) Sand-blast it to roughen the surface
2) Dremel/grind grooves like the bussekin micarta
3) Wrap with rubber bands cut from bike inner-tubing (ranger bands).
 
Tried the Bike tube. The shape of the handle is not condusive to a ranger band grip. The rubber slipped into a bunched up mess. I've thought about grooves, but worry about blisters. Sandblasting is interesting. Might give that a try.
 
jimh0220 said:
Tried the Bike tube. The shape of the handle is not condusive to a ranger band grip. The rubber slipped into a bunched up mess. I've thought about grooves, but worry about blisters. Sandblasting is interesting. Might give that a try.
Click to expand...

I deliberately 'bunch' the bands to increase width, making sure they are sufficiently taut to prevent rolling. Another option is 'grip-tape' as used on tennis rackets and the like. If you're REALLY adventurous, you could even add some of your own layers of micarta wrapped around the handle as desired: http://www.cliffstamp.com/knives/forum/read.php?7,4239,4288
 
chiral.grolim said:
I deliberately 'bunch' the bands to increase width, making sure they are sufficiently taut to prevent rolling. Another option is 'grip-tape' as used on tennis rackets and the like. If you're REALLY adventurous, you could even add some of your own layers of micarta wrapped around the handle as desired: http://www.cliffstamp.com/knives/forum/read.php?7,4239,4288
Click to expand...

Strips of grip tape, now there's an idea. I might try that on my boomslang.
 
I have found that a lot of my knives with mic. handles will get slimy when wet, I also noticed that they absorb oils very easy when I sharpen the knife or use them when I'm sweaty. So, I started washing mine with Dawn dishsoap periodicity and it helps a lot.
 
It is important for people to note here that the absorption being seen on linen & canvas micarta handles is non-penetrating, i.e. the oils/water/sweat simply sticks to the surface in the loose strands of fabric - the very same strands which give the material its 'warm' feeling and provide better retention than plastic (including G10), paper-micarta & wood handles with the same finish under the same conditions. As noted, it washes away quite easily. The point - a micarta handle provides equal or better grip in wet/slimy/sweaty conditions than the others mentioned.
 
If it's too slick for ya' just use some coarse sandpaper to roughen it up. I like a smooth handle on a chopper, though. The shape of the handle should provide the grip--not the surface texturing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top