I know trust me I know

James w

James w

Joined
Aug 6, 2015
Messages
951
Okay I'm in need of a bigger knife and I think I'll end up getting the bk 7 with this in mind I don't like the factory grivory handles I know trust me I know you can stab a tree with oil on your hand and you won't slip forward but to me the grivory feels I don't know like kinda cheapish so my question is what are my aftermarket handle choices the Kabar micarta and the knife connection are a bit steep is there a cheaper alternative? Has anyone tried making scales out of wood I have a belt sander and a grinder if so can I see reference pics

thx In advance
James w
 
made these from a scrap of T&G bamboo flooring

10991203_10153129669209603_5303374192239417093_n.jpg
 
I have used wood and micarta (factory and sheets shaped by myself).
My 2 with factory micarta dyed maroon:

A BK10/11 combo I did for Gonebad395 in Black Curly Maple:



Both knife handles came from one block of wood. Using a scroll saw, I removed the material from the underside of the handle of the 10 and used that to make the slabs for the 11.
Due to this, the 11s tang needed some slight tweaking, but I was polishing the ricasso, spine and tang anyway, so that didn't matter.

Finished up with sheath, blade reprofiled and swedge added.
Edit to add: I forgot that I had opened up the front finger choil a little bit as well (knife still fits factory sheath).


Wood work is easy if you take your time and buy quality sandpaper.
 
Wood, mycarta, no problem.






The 20 has one of my first sets ever. Burlap from the fabric store, Bondo resin from HD. Pressed together, cured, and shaped. Actually from my 7 - was just test-fitting here.

9 has one of my most recent sets. Bought the scales, made the liners, reshaped scales to fit, and refinished.

5 and 15 have scales fashioned from a branch off a neighbor's elm tree after it had to come down.

Used files and a belt sander for most of the work.

I used a dremel for the holes in the mycarta; drill press and tiny bit for elm.

I just hand-refinished the elm scales on all three knives (there's an 11 in the set, too.) Just waiting for final coat to cure.

Time and quality paper- couldn't agree more.
 
I have a set of wood scales from Tommy the Who and they are the best so far. They are comfortable, solid and kinda of grippy, they just feel right to me.
Qr6UDvCh.jpg


Y5LT0Sdh.jpg
 
burlap, old jeans/shirts, construction paper...add fiberglass resin and sandwich between 2 boards, have fun!
 
James w said:
Okay I'm in need of a bigger knife and I think I'll end up getting the bk 7 with this in mind I don't like the factory grivory handles I know trust me I know you can stab a tree with oil on your hand and you won't slip forward but to me the grivory feels I don't know like kinda cheapish so my question is what are my aftermarket handle choices the Kabar micarta and the knife connection are a bit steep is there a cheaper alternative? Has anyone tried making scales out of wood I have a belt sander and a grinder if so can I see reference pics

thx In advance
James w
Click to expand...

If you know what your doing making scales isn't very difficult. I have made several knives, and with a bit of practice scales are pretty simple. Do you have a drill? (or better yet, a drill press?) With that and you grinder and belt sander you ought to be able to turn out something pretty cool.

There are eons of Youtube vids on this sort of thing too, should you decide to make some.
 
There is a wealth of talent here pimping Becker knives.
 
I love Tommy's scales (as modded for the 9,) but don't think they cost any less than a set of KaBar Micarta.

acerpower, your scales look great.
Had to cut down a cherry tree in the backyard, and pressed the 20 into service for some of the delimbing.
I think it has earned a set of scales made from that tree. When I find the time again.
 
Don't forget to let them dry out prior to shaping/mounting.
 
NJBillK said:
Don't forget to let them dry out prior to shaping/mounting.
Click to expand...

6 months on the woodpile probably not enough? ;)

Since they're removable, if they shrink or crack I'll just take 'em off.
The elm on the trailing-points had only about six months seasoning when I started. It ain't much, but they've been on 2 years with no issues thus far.
 
Refinished the elm on the trailing point set.
Sanded to 800, and finished with 4 coats 50/50 tung oil & mineral spirits, followed by 3 coats tung oil, followed by two coats Formby's low-sheen tung oil finish. The buffed with white (120 grit "cleaning") scotch-brite.
Since these are my camp kitchen knives, after about a month of curing, I'll seal 'em up with some butcher block conditioner.



Also started the cherry scales for the 20. As a chopper, grip is key, so I'll probably sand to about 220 grit and stick with the pure oil, and skip the slick "oil-finish" step.



 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top