Mucking about with skateboard tape

[Gothmog]

I thought I'd try to add a little extra grip to the handle of this AK blem. As the handle of the khukri was damaged (and significantly discounted as a result) but I quite liked the blade for a role as a practical carry knife, I thought that skateboard tape might help things out a bit.

I've seen it used on handguns to good efffect, so why not here?

Perhaps others have already done this, but here's the result of my little experiment anyway. It's not the neatest job (sorry, too eager to see if it would work), but the grip is improved and quite positive. The shrinking back of the horn is no longer an issue, and best of all, it's completely reversible.

 

[rroundy]

that stuff is soo course i cant see that you could use it for very long without eating through even the roughest callouses. i would recommed hockey stick tape. gives enough grip with slight tackiness and is also removable.

 

[seaice]

I've used the self-amalgamating type of rubber tape on the full-tang handle of a sirupate, which was a little on the slim side for use when wearing heavy suede gauntlets (to protect my hands from thorns etc.).... it adds considerably to grippiness as well -- and though by now it could be doing with a new top layer, the handle wrap has already withstood a year of hard use.

 

[Arch.Chaos]

that stuff is soo course i cant see that you could use it for very long without eating through even the roughest callouses. i would recommed hockey stick tape. gives enough grip with slight tackiness and is also removable.

I use hockey tape on my Gelbu Special; I've used other forms of tape in the past, but during extended use (3+ hours) it wears on my hands and leaves blisters and sticky residue. Hockey tape doesn't do that, and gives a smooth, very comfortable grip. My only problem with my Gelbu Special was that the wooden ridge on the grip was hurting my hand. Covered with hockey tape, it isn't a problem any more.

-David

 

[Gothmog]

Some good points guys, thanks.

I guess I was so focussed on improving the grip I didn't consider the effect on one's hands. Hockey tape would be easier to apply neatly as well ...

 

[Karda]

You've done the nicest tape job i've seen posted so far,but i gotta agree that it looks like it would be hell on your bare hands after a short period of use, but if youre using gloves it would probably be perfect.