G10 scales - Scalloped or Plain Textured?

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nealf5

Joined
Jul 14, 2011
Messages
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Two questions:
1. What handle material provides good grip? From the reading I've done thus far it would seem to be G10. Is that correct?

2. I had my eye on some custom scales for my RAT 1. First time I am considering custom scales. Are scalloped G10 scales comfortable?
They are probably super grippy but all those grooves & ridges had me thinking they would cut into and create hot-spots on the hand & fingers when being used for extended periods of time (whittling, cutting etc)??
Would it just be better to get some kind of plain textured G10 (like on most production knives) rather than the scalloped/grooved kind.
I use my knives daily so they are not display queens.

I appreciate your replies. Thank you.
 
I find that Micarta provides better grip with less hand irritation.

G10 can be textured, but that makes it more aggressive on the hand.

Some makers will bead blast the scales and this makes a nice pleasant tactile feel and adds grip without as much hand abrasion.

It all depends on how the texture is done. I've had machined G10 that was grippy and still comfortable to use, and machined G10 that rubbed my hands fiercely in use.
 
I'd go with a plain G10 scale. Unless you can test fit them, the scallop (or as some call them "anso") pattern may or may not work for your particular hand. In theory the groove should provide more traction but only if they exist at a point where they can gain purchase in your hand. Anso scales do look pretty sweet though.

As always when modifying a cheap knife like a RAT1 you need to take a look at total cost. You might find yourself better off buying a more expensive knife with grippy G10 or FRN already part of the deal. Usually custom scales are mostly for idiots like me that are willing to turn a Kershaw Skyline into a $200 project :eek:
 
I love g-10 grip.
If the scalloped grips have a hot spot you could hit it with a little sand paper.
Best of luck.
 
I prefer plain G10. But even these can come in varying degrees of grippyness. For a non-hard use EDC, I'd go with smoother.

I do have one with Anso-pattern G10 scales. Feels great but I can tell some of the ridges will become hotspots if I were to cut a lot of cardboard with it. So I don't. ;)
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Ok so that confirms what I thought, the scallop/anso would be too aggressive and probably uncomfortably in the long run too.

I was thinking I could smooth the ridges it out with fine grit sandpaper but if I'm paying for custom scales I want them perfect first time around, otherwise whats the point.

I will look into some other kind of gentler texturing like bead blasting etc

Or I will just wait to see if there are any Black Friday deals on a mini-grip .... and put the $ towards that ... but how many folders do I need! lol

p.s. I always thought micarta would be less grippy than G10.

Thanks again, much appreciated.
 
nealf5 said:
... but how many folders do I need! lol
Click to expand...
Always one more than you have.


p.s. I always thought micarta would be less grippy than G10.
Click to expand...
Depends.

Just as G10 can be found in varying degrees of grippyness so can micarta.

Micarta is made by soaking layers of a material with epoxy. If the material is soft fine or rough coarse can affect the results, as can the way it's finished.
 
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