Micarta on a Campanion???

[J. J. Magnum]

I posed this question on the end of another thread a few days ago and didn't get a response so I guess I'll post it here.

Will (or anyone else) can you recommend anyone who could put a set of Micarta scales on a Campanion? I really like this knife now that I have gotten it properly sharpened, but I love the feel of the Micarta scales on my TOPS and think that a similar handle could improve my Campanion. Now if I am barking up the wrong tree I'm sure you will tell me. This process may be cost prohibitive (I have no idea what it would cost), or just plain STUPID! Go ahead, tell me, I'm a big boy and I can take it

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney

 

[CAman]

If you are good at grinding and have access to a grinder, you could probably do it yourself. You can buy micarta from www.jantzsupply.com.
Unscrew the handles off the Campanion (if they are epoxied you might have to pry them off - careful not to mess things up), drill holes in the new handles, screw on, and grind to shape.
I once made a knife (from a kit) with slab handles and had to replace them after they cracked. That is the procedure I followed. Of course, the shape of the Campanion might be tough to grind.

 

[James Mattis]

Hiring a knifemaker to put micarta grips on your Campanion, and a leather specialist for a new sheath because it doesn't fit the Kydex any more, would probably set you back at least as much as what you paid for the knife in the first place.

The factory-issue handles are not epoxied, but bolted on. The handles are not solid, but molded, with the hexagonal nut countersunk in a hexagonal hole. With micarta you would probably want to use pins and epoxy and make the change permanent. You would probably want to go over the area of the tang you intend to cover with a coarse belt to get rid of the coating, so the epoxy will stick to bare metal.

If the micarta is as thick as the factory grips, you may notice a weight increase, since the micarta will not be hollow.

If you grind the micarta yourself, remember that you do not want to breathe the stuff. Be sure to wear a mask (one with a filter assembly and a firm seal, and not just one of those little surgical types), and vacuum up the dust. You may want to do it outside.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001


[This message has been edited by James Mattis (edited 07-04-2000).]

 

[J. J. Magnum]

Thanks James for the tips. I have one of the older Campanions which has a Nylon sheath instead of Kydex, so that worry is not present. Everyone may be right that this isn't a worthwhile project. It certainly sounds like it would tax my limited mechanical abilities to do it myself, besides I don't have a belt grinder.
I think that Micarta would improve the feel of the handle. Maybe someday Camillus will come out with a "fancy" model just like that. I guess I'll wait. Thanks again.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

before changing handles-if you want a
"tackier" texture have the handles sand blasted. It will yield a nice frosted matte look that feels great.
(oh, remove them before blasting