I have 2 folders that I want to try my hand at customizing (have to start somewhere, right?); one is a Buck 110 the other is a Case mini copperlock. I would like any advice on how to go about replacing the scales with different materials. Thinking about ivory for the Case, and stag for the Buck. Is there anyone willing to help a newbie get off to the right start? My email is: baroth@earthlink.net
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How to replace scales on folder...
- Thread starter BAR
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 12, 1999
- Messages
- 1,110
you can get legal elaphant ivory from www.knifeandgun.com. you can also get some other ivories there. ivory is very expensive. you may want to try something like desert iron wood. it's less expensive, and a lot more stable.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 1999
- Messages
- 4,981
The first thing you need to do is take the knives apart and remove the old scales.There should be about 3 pins holding the knife together, and a couple more in each scale holding it on.Find some good sharp drill bits that are smaller than the diameter of the pin. I would go for one that is smaller by 1/16", and one that is smaller by 1/32". Center punch the pins so the drill doesn't slide off the pin.Start with the pins that hold the knife together.Take the drill that is 1/16" smaller and drill the center out of the top of the pin, don't go very deep.Do that to all the pins holding the knife together on one side.If that doesn't loosen the pins, go to the bit thats 1/32" smaller than the the pins and do the same thing. The object is to take the heads off of the pins where they were peened.When you get the pins drilled. Take small a punch and drive the pins out of the knife.Do this slowly so you don't bend anything.Now take the handle that still have the slabs attached. First look on the inside of the liner. If you can see the heads of the pins, drill them out from that side in the same manner you drilled out the other pins. If you can't see the heads, drill them out of the side with the scales. Then dirve out the pins slowly and carefully again.If the slabs are attached with epoxy, you need to find something that will take them off. I would try soaking them in epoxy and laquer thinner. WD40 might work too.
Now take your new slab material and cut it to the rough shape.Sand the liners off to clean them and then epoxy the new slabs to the liners. Now drill holes for the pins by going trough the same holes that are already in the liners. slightly counter sink the top of the holes on the side with the handle material. That will let the pins expand without splitting the the handles. Now peen the pins on both sides. When both handles sides are done grind the slabs down to the edges og the scales so they match up then put the knife back together.Put the new pins back through the same holes as before and peen them carefully until the knife works the way you want it too.It helps if you only leave about an 1/8" or less to peen. When thats done sand or file away the excess pin.Hand sand the handles and bolters until there shaped the way you want and the finsh is smooth. You may want to use a buffer on the bolsters, but be careful not to use it on the handle material very much at all. Hope this helps. Good luck.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
Now take your new slab material and cut it to the rough shape.Sand the liners off to clean them and then epoxy the new slabs to the liners. Now drill holes for the pins by going trough the same holes that are already in the liners. slightly counter sink the top of the holes on the side with the handle material. That will let the pins expand without splitting the the handles. Now peen the pins on both sides. When both handles sides are done grind the slabs down to the edges og the scales so they match up then put the knife back together.Put the new pins back through the same holes as before and peen them carefully until the knife works the way you want it too.It helps if you only leave about an 1/8" or less to peen. When thats done sand or file away the excess pin.Hand sand the handles and bolters until there shaped the way you want and the finsh is smooth. You may want to use a buffer on the bolsters, but be careful not to use it on the handle material very much at all. Hope this helps. Good luck.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !