Custom handle on a Ritter Griptilian

[C_Claycomb]

Thought I would share some photos of this.

This was something I have wanted to do, for me, for a very long time. Lets call this a first development attempt.

Originally a Benchmade Ritter Griptilian. New handle of black linen Micarta, back spacer of red linen Micarta. Various pins, inserts and new clip of stainless steel. I know that G10 is the material of choice, and it would have looked better, but I had the Micarta and it is less abrasive on cutting tools. Cheaper too...important on this first try.

Now to carry it around and see how it works. I already know it needs a slightly longer handle, and some more file work for grip. Still very happy with it

 

[oldrifleman]

Really nice, 300% better looking than the original!

 

[pilgrimuk]

Think that looks very good; well done! First attempt as well!!

 

[DougB2]

That looks fantastic! I'm working on one of my own. Ruined the first set of black/green micarta scales, now trying G-10. Do you have any pix of the scales before you installed them?

 

[C_Claycomb]

These pictures are of the inside before I realised I hadn't quite got the spring recess deep enough. Had to go at it with a B&D Wizard and little burr to shave out a little more space.

I want to post pictures of the tools and jigs that I used, but that is going to have to wait till later as I am going away for a little while and haven't got all the photos and explanations laid out.

This is the best I can do now:

I milled the main recess with a 13mm diameter slot drill, one spring recess was done with a 6mm diameter cutter and the other with an 8mm cutter. The 8 was a better choice, fewer steps. The first scale also used more steps with the 13mm cutter, but I got my drawing wrong, so milled the pocket a little too small and had to go back and touch it up.

I had a Wilkins handle apart and did the rubbing from his spring recess. Used that as a basis for a drawing and basis for the cutter moves. I made the micarta template so I could mill the first level recess, then have something to scribe around so that I could tell when I was cutting the spring recess in the right place (botched one scale by getting the datum out of position and milling a perfect shape spring recess in the wrong place!).

I drilled the pivot hole after milling. Used the steel pattern as a guide. My datum set up, or how I indexed the parts, was not spot on and I had to touch up the inside of the 4-40UNC liner screw hole in the scale with a fine round file to stop the screw from rubbing the micarta and pulling the liner out of position.

Inserts were first glued in a nice slide clearance hole with regular cyano adhesive. Bad choice. They came loose when drilled. Next try was a tight press fit (carbide stub drill for better size control on my rattley drill press) and Loctite 326 + activator. They stayed where put that time.

Best of luck! Hope to see your photos up here at some point

 

[Shadows]

Fantastic!