I just got a new set of Ipe scales from Tommythewho off [insert famous auction site here] for my BK16. I must say they are damn sexy!
First of all, the finish is wonderful with the tung oil. It's a beautiful deep wood brown and I love seeing the grain of the wood. It's sanded smooth but the wood still has grip in my hand.
Tommy's scales fit onto the knife very tightly. The screws and bolts he uses have a lower tolerance on the scales/knife holes compared to the factory hardware. This makes for less play in all directions when I'm tightening them up on the knife, which I didn't think was a big deal until I noticed that the scales are so close to perfectly flush with the top and bottom of the tang. The butt is off by a hair but besides that, when I slide my finger along the spine it feels like one continuous piece of hardware.
I knew I was going to get a at least decent product but: WOW! I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new scales actually fit my hand much better than the originals! The "valleys" on the scales between the 1st-2nd and the 2nd-3ed screws are shallower, which makes it feel more comfortable to hold than the original scales-with or without liners. Tommy's scales are less curvy, but about as fat as the factory scales+liners.
Alright, I'll shut up. Here's shiny pictures:
Thanks Tommy for a great product. The only drawbacks I could find are: 1) I wish the screws where less shiny... but that's just a personal preferance and I'm sure I can find a way to darken them up. 2) The scales are so damn pretty I will worry about scratching them!
9.5/10
Would buy again.
First of all, the finish is wonderful with the tung oil. It's a beautiful deep wood brown and I love seeing the grain of the wood. It's sanded smooth but the wood still has grip in my hand.
Tommy's scales fit onto the knife very tightly. The screws and bolts he uses have a lower tolerance on the scales/knife holes compared to the factory hardware. This makes for less play in all directions when I'm tightening them up on the knife, which I didn't think was a big deal until I noticed that the scales are so close to perfectly flush with the top and bottom of the tang. The butt is off by a hair but besides that, when I slide my finger along the spine it feels like one continuous piece of hardware.
I knew I was going to get a at least decent product but: WOW! I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new scales actually fit my hand much better than the originals! The "valleys" on the scales between the 1st-2nd and the 2nd-3ed screws are shallower, which makes it feel more comfortable to hold than the original scales-with or without liners. Tommy's scales are less curvy, but about as fat as the factory scales+liners.
Alright, I'll shut up. Here's shiny pictures:
Thanks Tommy for a great product. The only drawbacks I could find are: 1) I wish the screws where less shiny... but that's just a personal preferance and I'm sure I can find a way to darken them up. 2) The scales are so damn pretty I will worry about scratching them!
9.5/10
Would buy again.
