Hi again, all
Mikael, thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the names of folks you offered still leave me short of a viable contractor for my project.
Kimmo Lilja does indeed do beautiful work and, as a happy owner of several kydex in leather projects from Martin Swinkels, I have sent knife projects outside the USA before. But that was for necessary and specific work, not what I have in mind here: a simple rehandling that allows an S1 to be comfortable in my apparently oversized hands.
DJJ and I have been in touch, he politely refused my project because I have a standard Fallkniven S1, not a blank blade, and based on prior experience he cannot be confident in a good outcome.
Already looked at Sunrise River and will be in touch with them but am dreading their reply based upon their price list:
http://www.sunrisecustomknives.com/repairs/repairpricelist.php
Labor alone is 'Typically $100.00-$150.00'; simple stacked leather is another $45.00. I have spent this amount of money before on the customization of a knife, but not in excess of the knife's original value, such as the Bark River customized offerings.
In addition to contacting Sunrise River I will also contact JRE Industries to see if they have micarta scales that they'd be willing to put on my current blade.
Any other ideas, folks?
Thanks again
Jifry
