My thoughts on "rock pattern" customizations on knives.

[10after10]

First, I'll apologize to anyone who will be offended.

To me, rock pattern is the knife world equivalent of tribal band tattoos. It was cool for about one minute, a long time ago.

 

[Hickory n steel]

First, I'll apologize to anyone who will be offended.

To me, rock pattern is the knife world equivalent of tribal band tattoos. It was cool for about one minute, a long time ago.

Sure for a user or most folders, but I've seen some chip Flint Bucks from the custom shop that sure looked nice.
I've never had one though so maybe your right and it would get old fast.

 

[marcinek]

Sure for a user or most folders, but I've seen some chip Flint Bucks from the custom shop that sure looked nice.
I've never had one though so maybe your right and it would get old fast.

Does the pattern affect the functioning of the knife?

If not, then really "user" or not really makes no difference, and it's purely a matter of aesthetic preference.

It's like saying "Green scales aren't really for user knives."

That said, I am not a fan of how that finish looks. But to each his own...de gustibus.

 

[10after10]

I'm strictly speaking from an aesthetic point of view. And, it definitely reflects my own personal taste.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

First, I'll apologize to anyone who will be offended.

To me, rock pattern is the knife world equivalent of tribal band tattoos. It was cool for about one minute, a long time ago.

I am not sure that I know what a rock pattern is, can you post a picture?

Thank you!

 

[b00n]

Like this ?:

I like it, looks more interesting than just plain flat untextured Ti. To each their own. You're entitled to your opionion. Some people like wood scales, some like anodized slabs or Ti, some like texture, some like inlays. Plenty of stuff to fill every niche.

 

[marcinek]

Are we talking that handle groovy thang, or the chip flinty hammer unfinished blade thing?

Don't like either one actually, but the handle thing certainly would affect the functionality in my opinion.

 

[Rival1314]

Here is one I did on a Grayman recently, have done many over the years....its a relatively popular pattern, but to each their own.

They do add a bit of texture/grip to an otherwise smooth and slick handle. beyond that its all taste. Personally I like contoured handles & carbon fiber...but that's just me

 

[marcinek]

This kinda thing?

 

[10after10]

I'm talking about scales, back spacers and clip mods as that's what I have typically seen and have experiences with.

 

[marcinek]

I'm talking about scales, back spacers and clip mods as that's what I have typically seen and have experiences with.

Well then. I don't like those either.

They look wildly uncomfortable to me. And I'm not crazy about them aesthetically either.

But...they are wildly popular and if they are a "fad," they are showing no real signs of passing.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I'm talking about scales, back spacers and clip mods as that's what I have typically seen and have experiences with.

I thought you were talking about blades.
I don't think the rock pattern on handles...ect necessarily looks bad, but I'm not into the types of knives this gets done to so I guess it doesn't matter what I think in this area.

 

[Rival1314]

This kinda thing?

That's some kind of hamering done in the steel while it was still in an annealed state....different technique, but IMO that too is ugly

 

[Tommy-Chi]

I'm talking about scales, back spacers and clip mods as that's what I have typically seen and have experiences with.

Thank you for posting the pictures!!!

I don't own any knives with that handle pattern. I could see how it would be useful for grip though. What do you think of Winkler "sculpted" micarta handles? It is similar.

I bought 4 Winkler Knives with sculpted micarta handles. So far I like them. Was looking for the grippiest material that I could find online. If I had a store near me, and I could check out the different handles, I may have decided otherwise. These are going to be my carry knives, b/c they are fixed, sculpted handles, and my carry knife should be bulletproof regardless of the season and whether or not I am wearing gloves.

 

[Lapedog]

I thought you were talking about blades.
I don't think the rock pattern on handles...ect necessarily looks bad, but I'm not into the types of knives this gets done to so I guess it doesn't matter what I think in this area.

It appears on those “flint” style blades as well as handles. Tops knives’ rocky mountain texture is an example of it on handles. Knife modifier Tuff thumbs seemed to really popularize it. You also see it on the Spyderco PPT.

 

[10after10]

Thank you for posting the pictures!!!

I don't own any knives with that handle pattern. I could see how it would be useful for grip though. What do you think of Winkler "sculpted" micarta handles? It is similar.

I bought 4 Winkler Knives with sculpted micarta handles. So far I like them. Was looking for the grippiest material that I could find online. If I had a store near me, and I could check out the different handles, I may have decided otherwise. These are going to be my carry knives, b/c they are fixed, sculpted handles, and my carry knife should be bulletproof regardless of the season and whether or not I am wearing gloves.

I forgot about the Winklers. I actually don't mind them on the Winklers. Maybe because they come that way and are not mods.

It appears on those “flint” style blades as well as handles. Tops knives’ rocky mountain texture is an example of it on handles. Knife modifier Tuff thumbs seemed to really popularize it. You also see it on the Spyderco PPT.

Good memory! Tuffthumbz did popularize it. Did he "invent" it? I just went back & looked at his very first, seven year old YouTube video, and he modded a Becker BK2 with rock pattern scales.

 

[b00n]

What about scalloped handles like:

I like them too (my 247 is almost identical)

 

[10after10]

b00n Eugene, the owner of Olamic is a great guy. Ultra customer service oriented from my personal experience. Olamic also makes some really nice knives. But, that's just not my cup of tea.

 

[b00n]

b00n Eugene, the owner of Olamic is a great guy. Ultra customer service oriented from my personal experience. Olamic also makes some really nice knives. But, that's just not my cup of tea.

No worries, not knocking your taste, it's all subjective. What kind of knives do you like scale-wise? Wood? Ti with or without inlays? G10/Micarta? FRN?

 

[Lapedog]

I forgot about the Winklers. I actually don't mind them on the Winklers. Maybe because they come that way and are not mods.




Good memory! Tuffthumbz did popularize it. Did he "invent" it? I just went back & looked at his very first, seven year old YouTube video, and he modded a Becker BK2 with rock pattern scales.

I don’t think he invented it. Tops knives has been doing this pattern for as long as I can remember.