Hand-shaped micarta scales on a chopper?

inkynate

inkynate

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Sep 4, 2010
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So I found some old threads and responses seemed mixed. I'd like to hear from people who've used hand-shaped handles on large blades. Pros and cons? Regrets? Preferred grit finish?

I'll probably sand down the scales on my Double Talon soon to check it out and see for myself either way, but if anyone can offer some thoughts or share their experience it would be much appreciated. Thx!
 
I like the feel especially if you fill in the fasteners, but its pretty slick especially while chopping. I would suggest you try it on a smaller knife first and see how much you like it. You can always just wear gloves on the choppers but you can't really undo loosing the machined grips unless you replace them.
 
I prefer the hand shaped handles. They feel much more comfortable to me. They look better to
 
I really like hand shaped micarta handles on a chopper. I have them on my NMFBM and the grip is great.

 
Cobalt said:
I prefer the hand shaped handles. They feel much more comfortable to me. They look better to
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Absolutely agree. After using both, the hand shaped is much more comfortable. And sustainable.

Another point of interest was taking the class on handle shapes at Blade 2015, in which the instructor talked about the "20 minute rule". A knife handle should be able to be used for 20 minutes sustained use in a high torque use like chopping or digging, etc... and it should not produce blisters or red, hot spots on the hand.

He referenced the hammer handles professional carpenters use, and also axe handles. And how they are smooth, and can be used all day in a high torque use. I was a framer for 15 years. And my hammers, even when my hands were sweating and the handles slippery, still performed well, and to get a blister would have been a very unusual occurrence.

So I like my handles smooth.
 
Thanks guys. The overal grip/retetion between the two is an interesting question.

On the one hand, it seems like the grooves provide a lot of traction, but on the other, the hand shaped scales seem like they could create a more locked-in feel and a more even surface contact area overall. Plus you still get the benefit on retention provided by the contours.

I do usually wear gloves if I'm doing any significant amount of work.
 
hand shaped gets my vote, money, and use. I always use a lanyard on my choppers anyway. My hand shaped NMFBM kept me from going to an all resC collection
 
I'm convinced, gonna go for it as I have time this weekend.

Have a bunch of sandpaper down to 60 or 80 grit already, plus files and a 1x30", so I'll get it done one way or another. Don't plan to use the power tool though.
 
If the SHTF, the big DOGs would be the first in the truck :D

Not sure what I'll do from here, but this is where I'm at after 20-30 minutes wet hand sanding with regular 60grit paper. A few faint lines still visible, but not bad:

11hyukg.jpg


Feels awesome in hand.
 
Jaxx just did a nice post on hand sanding some scales. Might want to check it out if you are looking for a tutorial.
 
Apophis said:
If the SHTF, the big DOGs would be the first in the truck :D

Not sure what I'll do from here, but this is where I'm at after 20-30 minutes wet hand sanding with regular 60grit paper. A few faint lines still visible, but not bad:

11hyukg.jpg


Feels awesome in hand.
Click to expand...

good job. looks good
 
Thanks guys! I'm stoked about it so far, but shorty after I posted the pic, I found a decent blister on the side of my thumb lol.

jbs121s said:
Jaxx just did a nice post on hand sanding some scales. Might want to check it out if you are looking for a tutorial.
Click to expand...

Jaxx's thread definitely planted the seed that got me moving on it today (Thxx Jaxx!,) but think I want a coarser, less polished finish on a big blade. Iirc, he started at 220, I started at 60 and may finish at 220. It really doesn't seem bad as a user finish at 60.
 
@Apophis, how exactly did you do it? Just attacked with some sand paper?

I have been toying with idea of doing this to my BG AK47 - your post has giving the idea a little shove...
 
Apophis said:
Thanks guys! I'm stoked about it so far, but shorty after I posted the pic, I found a decent blister on the side of my thumb lol.



Jaxx's thread definitely planted the seed that got me moving on it today (Thxx Jaxx!,) but think I want a coarser, less polished finish on a big blade. Iirc, he started at 220, I started at 60 and may finish at 220. It really doesn't seem bad as a user finish at 60.
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Yeah, 220 is where I started, but much smaller handle on those MS-e's :D ...Need to stock back up on coarser grits. :)

I do want to mention that for a little while there, I thought I screwed up. 320 & 400, the handle got slicker, easy to fumble. After round 1 with 600, I felt the grippiness return, and it trended back upward from there. Just my own experience on the MS-e handle job. :)
 
I prefer the factory hand-sanded scales on choppers, but I still wear gloves to protect my girly hands.
 
Dicko said:
@Apophis, how exactly did you do it? Just attacked with some sand paper?

I have been toying with idea of doing this to my BG AK47 - your post has giving the idea a little shove...
Click to expand...

Exactly, I just clamped the blade down and started sanding with the coarsest grit I had on hand, which was 60. Went through about one and a third sheets cut into ~3x4" rectangles. I kept a spray bottle at hand to wet everything and occasionally rinse away the slurry, (put a tray underneath to catch the mess).

Other than that I just checked progress often to make sure I kept everything even and maintained the depth of the hollow areas. The groove lines were an easy marker as they gradually widened and faded out.
 
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