Help from the "New School" please?

[badman400]

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum, not knives per se. But I am decidedly from the "old school" when it comes to knives. I'm just about 6 months into the "new school" of knives and catching up, discovering the BK2, the Sebenzas, the super steels, micarta, and Spydercos and am only now starting to warm to the looks of any Spyderco. I know, blasphemy to some probably. I want a Para 2, or a Manix 2 eventually. I have several clone knives and have spent a lot of time cramming, researching, studying into the wee hours. I've watched a hundred or so knife reviews and bought a couple dozen knives over the past 3-4 months, mostly on the budget end of things. But first things first. I've been studying the modding aspects of knives, and have a question about one in particular; the CRKT Crawford Kasper. I got the satin finish blade this time.

So with the above background in mind, I'm looking for some suggestions on either stippling or changing to micarta scales on a CRKT Crawford Kasper. I know, I know. Many of you may look down your nose at this folder, but I really like it so be gentle with the noob. I think it's a great value for $22. Great blade and design. The Zytel scales are its weak point IMO. They're plastic for one thing, but the smooth surface and lack of purchase are what bother me most. If I could do a competent stippling job in the right areas and slightly round the edges in a couple of areas I think I could end up with a great feeling knife, that I could rotate the blade out in one continuous sweep, without having to readjust the hold and choke up again during the deployment.

On the other hand, some black and gray micarta scales would look AND feel good, again, assuming I could do a competent forming/shaping/sanding job after fitting and drilling the screw holes. I have woodworking and mechanic/machining experience, so I think I could handle it. Just fishing for clues from anyone who knows this knife. I have read of some having difficulties getting the knife apart due to the embedded bushings inside the aluminum spacer spinning. I wouldn't want to ruin it trying to get it apart. I've actually ordered a second one (the one with the dark gray teflon finished blade), just in case. I like it that much and it's inexpensive enough.

Any of you out there have any experience taking the Kasper apart? Problems? Tips? Pics? Any insight or details from Kasper owners would be appreciated. I believe I can make a decent looking knife even better if I can swap to a set of gray/black or gray/blue set of micarta scales. But if I need to just stipple the Zytel scales to be on the safe side, it will still be an improvement. Any suggestions, tips, advice from the knowledgeable among you will be a big help. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Knivery]

Nothing wrong with a Kasper.

I have a Benchmade Panther. I think it was their first unassociated folder. No screws, just a pivot, blade stud, a liner lock, a pocket clip and a big black Zytel handle (and still one of the sweetest blades I've ever owned). The knife is roughly 20 years old and was in my EDC for over 10. To this day I'm amazed that the Zytel still looks almost like the day I bought it and has never loosened, cracked or shown signs of splitting at the seam. Still solid as a rock. It has never given me cause to doubt the handle.

Sure, there are better materials now, but don't be too quick to totally discount the Zytel. It may seem "cheap" to you but it's functional and pretty rugged. Take your time and do a nice stippling job in the way you want it and you might find you're OK as is and made your knife a little better.

 

[spydercobenchmadekai]

only now starting to warm to the looks of any Spyderco.

I, too, hated the looks of ALL Spydercos. That is, until I held one in hand.

If you want an easy knife to mod, the Kershaw Thermite is only $35 and is great for making custom scales. It is a frame lock, so you only have to make one scale, thus reducing the number of hours before you get to see the finished product.

As for materials to make scales, do as I say, not as I do, and start out with wood. (I started with G10. ) There are some great types of cheap and pretty wood, like mahogany and cherry.
You may later want to make the leap to Micarta and G10 and possibly even carbon fiber, Kirinite, bone, shell, etc.

Make sure to wear a good respirator when working any of the above materials. For shaping a handle, I recommend this method:

1. Take the knife apart.
2. Take the metal liner and clamp it onto the material for the scale.
3. Drill the holes for the screws/pivot/lanyard hole through the metal liner and into the new scale.
4. Screw the metal liner onto the new material.
5. Using a belt sander such as the (cheap--$35) HF 1x30, (which is what I use), grind the new scale to the profile of the metal liner.
6. Round the corners by hand sanding.
7. Put the knife back together with the new scale, and finish flushing the scale to the liner with the knife assembled.

Here is my personal Thermite with a jade-ghost G10 scale made by yours truly:

 

[simioh]

...

As for materials to make scales, do as I say, not as I do, and start out with wood. (I started with G10. ) There are some great types of cheap and pretty wood, like mahogany and cherry.
You may later want to make the leap to Micarta and G10 and possibly even carbon fiber, Kryptonite, bone, shell, etc.
...

Are you going to kill Superman? LOL

OP: Please share your progress and results, sounds like a cool project.

 

[badman400]

Sorry for the delay in answering. I was beginning to think I'd gotten no replies. I just realized that you don't get an automatic email here. You must select the email notification in the drop down. Oh well. I finally figured it out anyway. Thanks for all of the replies!

Knivery, It's not that I really dislike Zytel. As a matter of fact I own several Kel-Tec pistols with Zytel frames, and I know that it's strong stuff. I guess I was just thinking some others might feel that way. And when I said the scales are the knife's "weak point" I meant with respect to the too smooth finish, but also the looks of Micarta IMHO is better, as well as grippier.

SCBMkai, that's a very nice job on the Kershaw! Yeah, I've watched a few Youtube vids on the process and I'm fairly certain I can handle that part, but there is something to be said for starting with wood. Heck I may decide I like the wood (Cherry), well enough to keep them. I could certainly make grippy areas as I saw fit.

Simioh, I just received the new Kasper in the gray teflon style today and at this early point in time I am loath to mess with either for fear of messing them up. I still can't get over how inexpensive they are. Cheap doesn't always have to mean crappy that's for sure!

I will definitely follow-up if/when I decide to mod one or both of these knives. I may pick another lesser knife and do some practicing before tackling the Kasper(s). I still don't know if I will run into spinning spacer bushings when I start taking the screws out. So I'm still looking forward to hearing from anyone out there if you've disassembled the Kasper before. If I don't get any responses from someone with experience I may call CRKT or just take the plunge and hope for the best. If I can't get it apart, I can always just reassemble the knife and go the stippling route. And if it turns out badly, heck another Kasper is only about $23 shipped!

Again, thanks for any suggestions, replies, tips, advice and/or help offered!