Hi guys old school gun addict here, with sort of a noob question.

Texaspridejb · Oct 14, 2011

Hi guys, im looking to get a kabar Baconmaker or Potbelly as kind of my go to outdoors knife that im not afraid to beat the crap out of, with that being said I really dont like the handles...think they are pure crap. Does anyone know of any aftermarkt "scales" I could get for this knife? something interesting with a good grippiness to them, the knife itself is 75 bucks so not looking to spend too much. Links to any sites will be appreciated I have looked everywhere.

Czechmate · Oct 14, 2011

I have a kabar zombie killer war sword; it shares the same handle/scale shape as these two knives...

I just stippled the scales with a round point soldering iron for extra grip, it was a quick (and free) fix for the grippiness issue!

Not sure if this suggestion helps, but it did work very well on my knife! :thumbup:

crimsonfalcon07 · Oct 14, 2011

It's also not terribly hard to make your own scales, especially if you use the stock ones for a pattern.

OrdnanceBubbaUSMC · Oct 14, 2011

Another options is using Camo Form, it works well and keeps things nice in case you might want to sell or trade later on.

Texaspridejb · Oct 14, 2011

Never really thought about making my own, just get raw material use the stock scales for outline and cutout? cant be that easy? then how do you secure them?

clich · Oct 14, 2011

Texaspridejb said:
Never really thought about making my own, just get raw material use the stock scales for outline and cutout? cant be that easy? then how do you secure them?

either with the stock hardware countersunk, or epoxied, pinned and peened.

crimsonfalcon07 · Oct 14, 2011

Texaspridejb said:
Never really thought about making my own, just get raw material use the stock scales for outline and cutout? cant be that easy? then how do you secure them?

Really is that easy. Cut the basic shape out, use the original scales for a drilling template to match the holes, counter sink so the screws are flush with the surface, screw it on, then shape it with files/sandpaper/belt sander. You may choose to epoxy them on as well, depending on what you use. Just make sure to wear a mask, especially if you're going to use micarta or carbon fiber!

Also, if you have issues for some reason, let me know. I'd be happy to give you a hand on the project.

ocnLogan · Oct 14, 2011

What everyone else has said. There aren't any aftermarket ones that I know of, but you can make your own.

If you're not dead set on the Potbelly or the Baconmaker, you could try the Becker BK2 or 7 (7 is the same length as the ones you were looking at, and about the same price range). Those have different handles, but they DO have aftermarket versions of those available if you're interested. They're also amazing knives, and every bit as tough.

Stop by the Becker subforum if you have any specific Becker knife questions, as there are a ton of people that hang out there that use and mod these knives there.