G-10 Griptilian..

I was thinking about just taking slabs cut out to the right shape and using a dremel tool to mill out the inside to nest the liners.
 
Mike Fitz said:
I've paid more for knives I like a lot less. Just depends on what makes you happy, doesn't it?
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Eh, my disposable income isn't all that great so I really don't buy something unless I REALLY like it.
Man I do like the orange handles though!
 
I have a 552M2-600 #162 and love the knife. I bought a set of Mr. Wilkins "Griptilikins" in the Forest Green G10 for $160.00 and I'll tell you what, IMO they are worth every penny! These grips turn the already pretty sweet knife into something outstanding. The fit, feel and action are all improved to, dare I say, close to perfection? Well, maybe I am overstating the facts. But I tell you what, if I am overstating facts there is still no denying these "Griptilikins" are definitely in the Ball Park, so to speak. If you are carrying the same knife as me and you think the steel is great but the handle is not all that. Then this upgrade is just what you're lookin' for. It brings the quality level of the handle up to the quality level of the steel. This gives you the whole package.
 
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Maybe I missed it because I am blind, but do the Griptilikins scales have a lanyard hole? I didn't see one in a recent article in TK.
 
man i really want a pair of these, so nice, especially since i like the griptilian as it is. maybe for christmas... i dunno. but if anyone here did their pown ghetto version adn it turns out nice i wouldnt mind paying for mine to be done *hint hint*.
 
I love the BM Grip, but I'd buy a Bradley Alias before spending $160.00 on just handles. Good excuse to buy the Bradley anyway since I'm too practical (or cheap) to buy a Sebenza.

If you don't understand, never mind! :rolleyes:
 
I agree that they are very expensive but the dealer Moore Cutlery seems to hae no problem selling them.
 
I think if it makes you happy, it's worth the extra $85. If worry about the $85 more then you want the handles, I wounldn't get it.
 
cutter17 said:
:thumbup:I remember reading a post a couple years ago where someone had a custom maker do a set and said maker said NEVER AGAIN! He said it was extremely difficult to get the inside done correctly so that everything matched up. Although it do sound like an intriguing project!
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Chase Axinn was the maker (www.chaxknives.com). He did them by hand and time it took was excessive.

I supect Kevin Wilkins has some manufacturing jigs or CNC equipment to aid him.

While the price for the scales seems high, if you really like the Grip then it makes sense.
 
Obviously I'm in the minority but I can't see any reason to replace the stock handles with G10 regardless of the price. The stockers seem plenty tough and feel more secure than anything with G10 that I've handled.
 
Here's some pics of my Griptilikins from a trip to the North Georgia mountains this weekend.

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I personally really don't like the rough diamond knurlings of the Zytel Grip. Those G10's look sweet, 154CM is a premium steel, why not give it premium handles. Obviously most people buy grips for superb steels in a cheaper package, but if you are used to spending $200" on knives ain't nothing wrong with aftermarket G10. (they look THAT good too)
 
I personally hate Zytel and FRN.. Since getting my first knife with G-10 Ill never buy another non metallic handled knife without it.. If the Grip really is as good as everybody says then maybe its worth it to make it, dare I say "perfect"..
 
Here is a picture of the micarta handles i made for my griptillian. This took a lot of work! Its smooth now with a similar shape but not as grippy. It took some work because I had to keep shaping it then get it together and shape some more and keep working like that till it had a good fit. For example the thumb studs for the axis lock had to stick out far enough for you to get a good grip on it. The screws/holes had to be the perfect length so they can reach the threads but not go too far and every time i made an adjustment it meant more adjustments. It would have been easier if i just used a flat thinner piece of micarta but i like shaping curves and stuff. Also reduced the size of the handle around the front of the handle so the grippy part of the liner is exposed.

It is a 3d denim micarta from knifekits.com so it has a nice pattern to it and it matches jeans. It was a little flexible at the thickness i sanded it too but that might be normal for micarta. I used flatheads for screws because the hardware store did not have specialty screws. But thats ok because flatheads are easy to find if you need to clean the knife, but its open now so its easier to clean. The fat one at the end of the handle is a little too large, but ill figure that out later.
The liners are no longer nested inside the handle so the knife is a little thicker, and because the handles do not screw together like in the original I had to make my own spacer our of threaded aluminum which isnt the prettiest thing but is functional. I sanded it a tad too short and the liners taper slightly towards the tail of the handle so I need to buy a new one and resize it.
Also because the handles did not touch that mean less stability because originally there was just the bearing screw holding the blade and a screw for the liners, but without the plastic molded to hold the liners just right I wanted extra security. Luckily instead of having to tap the liners it turns out there is another set of threaded holes in the liners! So i just went and got screws to match and cut them to length. 4-40 size for the liners. That way the liners are secure to the handles.
Had to drill and shape the spaces for the axis lock studs which too work because it had to be thin enough for the studs to be exposed enough to grip. Also one of the hard parts (which turned out to be not that hard) was grinding out the areas for the axis lock springs to have room to do their things. I ended up using a dremel tool with a round headed bit and was able to just carve out a sort of circular area just deep enough for the spring to nestle inside and it worked well.

So all in all im happy. I think it looks good. Maybe crude in some areas though. It seems like it doesnt open quite as smoothly but i may still need to adjust the tension of the main screw as well as figure out possible spacer issues making it not meet up perfectly.
I jsut need to figure out how to mount a pocket clip on it. I dont know if the micarta will be very strong to hold screw threads. I could try to use the pocket clip from the old handle but not sure how to sink the threaded female ends, or i could sunk a bolt on the inside of the handle... I could just leave it without a pocket clip... jsut so use to pocket clips on knives now.
Well enjoy the pictures.

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