Custom Scales? to be or not to be.

N4SIR

N4SIR

Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
1,507
Ok so custom scales look fantastic etc and many companies make them. I find myself in a sort of quandary. I was just about to order custom scales for my Mini Ritter grip when my wife says to me "can't you buy another knife for that price? or a sharpmaker and a cheaper knife?" so heres my questions.. How does one justify a $100 (sometimes more) purchase of custom scales for a knife you own vs just buying another knife? I am trying to tell my self "well this knife will be my EDC for many years etc and no one else will have these scales etc" but the wife makes a good point are the stock handles fine as they are and i have had my eye on a mini nitrous stryker and its the same price as scales.. decisions decisions..


anyone else have these issues /questions? btw im was considering carbon fiber micarta vintage scales sorta like this
mini_vintage_4-600x400.jpg
Bravo_CDM_2-600x400.jpg
 
Sometimes it is not about just getting more stuff... it is about making the stuff you already have "yours"... Sometimes it is much more rewarding to give an old friend a facelift, than it is to add a new friend into a group.

I had a car in my early 20's that I actually loved (the first car I really "wanted"). It was a '77 2-door Chevy Nova. I loved that thing. Every time I added a new piece of chrome, new wheels, tires, etc. it absolutely revitalized my love for that car. Eventually I got a new car, but nothing since has given me the same enjoyment as even putting a new chrome door handle on that one.

I had the same experience with a bow recently. I was about to sell one of mine, and decided to give it a facelift instead. Put a new finish on it, new strings, new limbs... it is now one of my favorite bows to shoot. I can't offer much more in the way of explanation, other than I made them "mine", and custom fit them to my tastes and preferences. They just fit so much better than a stock "cookie cutter" version. Good luck on your decision.

If you were to go with the scales, put the thought and time into figuring out exactly what you want, I have no doubt that that knife will quickly become your favorite. You will use it because you love it, but you will baby it and take care of it way more than any other knife you own. Is it worth it? To me, yeah it is... another knife will be fun for a few weeks, but one you make exactly the way you want it will be an heirloom - even if it is just because it is different, yours, and is a realization of your tastes and preferences.

Hope this helps. Good luck in your decision!
 
100 % agree with the post above. I have gotten custom scales done for A few of my knives. It really makes you feel like the knife is yours and it has become personalized. Even better doing that to a production run knife. Blade forum's own Barry H is my go to guy for custom scales. I have an easier time justifying the facelift than I do a new addition.
 
that pretty much exactly what i was thinking ... the knife will be completely mine.. no one else will have it ... and i will enjoy it more for many years to come.. :) ty for the reply
 
The way I see it the Griptilian is a good knife that's let down by its handle. The blade, lock and materials are just as good as those found on higher priced Benchmades (like the Presidio or Rift) but the cheap handle keeps the price down. Adding a $100 set of scales really just makes it equal in cost to other knives and makes the Grip as good as it should be.
 
i figured especially since its a Ritter grip and the blade shape and s30v make it worth it
 
I find that custom scales make me want to keep the knife on my shelf and not actually use it. I made a deal with myself a year ago or so that I am sick of buying knives and just letting them sit there. If I get a knife, I want to use it, and if it is too pretty, I just won't!
 
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