Lexan scales for Campanion

M

marty123

Joined
Oct 31, 2000
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I'm going to try to make some replacement scales for my Becker Campanion. Nothing wrong with the ones it came with, but maybe something thinner might work better for me. I see somebody sells 1/4" G-10 scales, but they cost more than I want to spend. Also, making new scales might be fun and shouldn't be too difficult to try.

I'm going to use 1/8" Lexan polycarbonate because: (a) I have some, (b) it seems like it might work. At first I thought 1/8" scales might be too thin but now it seems like a good thickness to try. And if 1/8" turns out to be too thin then I'll try 3/16" if I run across some small pieces somewhere around here. I've worked with Lexan a little and find it easy to cut and shape.

I considered trying acrylic first, instead of Lexan, but figured that while acrylic is harder, which is good in that it won't scratch as readily as Lexan, it also is more brittle than Lexan in my limited experience, thus being more prone to chipping and cracking. So I'll try Lexan first and see what happens.

One problem that might arise from using thin 1/8" scales could be the difficulty in attatching the scales to the handle with screws without having the screws protruding from the thin scales. I might have to use glue or epoxy, and that might be messy and unsightly. I'll see what works when I get there.

So that's my bright idea for the moment.
 
I've thought about doing something like that before so I asked a friend who works with Acrylic, Lexan and Delrin about it.

He said: "Acrylic is rather brittle and Lexan scratches but it's really strong. I used Lexan as window pains, a kid threw a large rock at it didn't hurt the Lexan then he chipped the putty out threw the Lexan on the ground and tried to bust it with a rock and jumping on it. No such luck.:) It stratched the heck out of it but never broke, Strong stuff. :) Delrin on the other hand is easy to work with and is used for knife handles on slip joints quite a bit."

You might want to try it if the Lexan doesn't work for you.

Was just thinking that maybe you could pick up some short bolts from the hardware store. My Kershaw Echo hunting/skinning knife has synthetic scales and is held on by three short screw type rivets. Maybe you could find something like that? Good luck on the project. :)
 
Well, I made my Campanion handle scales in 1/8" Lexan. And they're too thin for my liking. I need something thicker, probably 1/4", maybe 3/16".

As I now figure it, I want my handle to have an oval cross-section. For that I'll probably need 1/4" stock. Now I have to run across some 1/4" Lexan off-cuts. I've seen some around in a surplus store, so I'll get some eventually. I'm not in a big hurry.

The Becker handle is fine as it is, but it would be better with an oval cross-section instead of the rectangular-with-rounded-edges shape it has now.
 
That's one of the really neat features of the Becker line.
Being able to make a handle that you like and fits your hand.
Such a deal !
:D :D :D :D
 
So now, I just picked up a small piece of 3/16" lexan, so I'll try that and see what happens. It's very hot and humid in Toronto right now so I'm not going to do it right away (cry baby). I'll wait until the weather is cooler before working on it in my garage. I know everybody is very interested in my progress. (Irony).
 
I'm interested. If they work well and kinda grippy, I'll take it when I get my BK7.
 
No, I won't be selling these grips, even if they turn out well, which they may very well not. This is just for my own use. But maybe I'll put up a picture when, and if, I finish them, whenever that might be. Who knows.

Better yet, Camillus should thin out the handle on the Becker line, it's just too thick. And my hands aren't small or anything.
I'm going to put up this idea of a thinner handle on a separate post.
 
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