Pic request for BK11 Scales

sqoon

sqoon

Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
1,157
I have some .178" G10 that I purchased a while back that is just sitting around. I wanted to try my hand at making some scales for the BK11, but I have been hard pressed to find any images of what the current scales look like. Tomar has a pic which helps me get the size and shape right in order to still work with the sheath, but the mounting is what I'm having a hard time with.

Is there anyone who can post a pic of the scales alone? How does the hardware attach? I'm guessing the scales are countersunk to accomodate the screws, but how deep do you think I can get away with. Does anyone know if you can get the screws from KA-BAR directly, or is there a dealer that would have something similar?

I've seen some pics already of folks who have made their own BK10 scales, but not too much of the KA-BAR micarta set, or anything similar. Any help would be most appreciated. I promise to post pics of my creation process once I get up and running.
 
sqoon said:
I have some .178" G10 that I purchased a while back that is just sitting around. I wanted to try my hand at making some scales for the BK11, but I have been hard pressed to find any images of what the current scales look like. Tomar has a pic which helps me get the size and shape right in order to still work with the sheath, but the mounting is what I'm having a hard time with.

Is there anyone who can post a pic of the scales alone? How does the hardware attach? I'm guessing the scales are countersunk to accomodate the screws, but how deep do you think I can get away with. Does anyone know if you can get the screws from KA-BAR directly, or is there a dealer that would have something similar?

I've seen some pics already of folks who have made their own BK10 scales, but not too much of the KA-BAR micarta set, or anything similar. Any help would be most appreciated. I promise to post pics of my creation process once I get up and running.
Click to expand...

hardware: they're just a simple machine screw and nut...

yes, the micarta is counter-sunk. at least 1/2 mm, possible 1mm; basically a scotch less than 1/2 the thickness of the blade.

good luck with it. it's going to be a precise fit...

i had a thought: homemade micarta molded AROUND the handle, then shaped.


Bladite
 
If you re handle your blade the factory sheath may not fit. If that is not a big thing for you then the options are greater. The best way to attach slabs that you don't plan to take off, is a combo of epoxy and bolts. The scales will need to be counter sunk from the outside. If you cut the scales a touch larger than the tang and epoxy them and bolt them, they are easy to marry to the tang. You will lose the coating on the tang, but the handles will be properly married to the tang, and you can sand them the way you like. :D
 
I made these using cocobolo - might give you some ideas.

Marathonman

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I am thinking about scales for my BK11. Could someone please post a step by step tutorial on making a set. I can't see paying more for scales than I did for the knife. Also, I assume that the glass filled nylon sheath can't be altered with a heat gun the way kydex can. Is that right?
Thanks
 
I don't know about your sheath question, but I would also like to know the answer.

As for the tutorial, I think it is pretty straight forward:

1. Cut slabs of material to fit.

2. Drill holes for hardware.

3. Shape to desired fit.

4. Attach.

5. Continue to shape.

The material selection is the big thing. If you want to make your own micarta, it can be done, but resin is not cheap. You basically take layers of material (canvas, denim from jeans, whatever) and soak them with resin. Layer these pieces on top of each other. Compress. Allow the resin to cure (harden).

You can buy G10, like I did, for fairly cheap from some online knife supply stores. I've just been nervous about how I'm going to properly countersink the holes for the hardware.

I'm also still hoping someone will post pics of the KA-BAR made scales. I'm assuming that the underside of them has been machined in such a way that they fit into the cutouts on the BK11 tang. Otherwise, you would have to tighten the screws an insane amount and probably damage your scales in order to prevent them from sliding around since the holes on the KA-BAR scales are up in a place where there are no smaller screw holes on the blade...

But I digest.

Just writing about this makes me realize that I'm probably going to rethink my entire handle strategy for this knife. I have some ideas. It should be interesting, if not a total failure.
 
step 1 - call your favorite vendor
step 2 - order
step 3 - pay!
step 4 - sit back and enjoy a cold one...

unless you LOVE working wood or micarta that is... :)


Bladite
 
I fill the two skeletonized holes with .165" maple to make everything nice and flat. Epoxy is optional.

I agree, it's not something you would do unless you just enjoy woodworking. For me, I have a house full of custom furniture and a garage full of wood working tools. Oh yeah, a wife and three teenage daughters inside the house. It may not be economically feasible, but since I love bushcraft, backpacking and woodworking, it makes sense for me to hang out in my shop.

Marathonman
 
Great video. I love this guys mods. The ESEE pack addition is really slick. He mentioned that the scales are made by Tomar. Is this true? I thought KA-BAR was making these.
 
sqoon said:
Great video. I love this guys mods. The ESEE pack addition is really slick. He mentioned that the scales are made by Tomar. Is this true? I thought KA-BAR was making these.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's incorrect on his part. They are made at the factory by Ka-Bar (Tooj has said so in other posts). Saintcutlery (on eBay) is an individual making custom handles (and they're not as nice--I have both).
 
Well, I broke down and gave up on trying to find the time, resources and patience to make my own handle scales and simply bought a set of the BK11 scales from Tomar's.

Wow. Like it has been said before, the scales make all the difference in the world. I felt a little guilty spending $30 for scales for a $35 knife, but I'm happy I did. I look at the knife now and it totally feels like a $60 knife. For a while I was looking to buy the ESEE-3, but the BK11, to me, blows it away.
 
sqoon said:
Well, I broke down and gave up on trying to find the time, resources and patience to make my own handle scales and simply bought a set of the BK11 scales from Tomar's.

Wow. Like it has been said before, the scales make all the difference in the world. I felt a little guilty spending $30 for scales for a $35 knife, but I'm happy I did. I look at the knife now and it totally feels like a $60 knife. For a while I was looking to buy the ESEE-3, but the BK11, to me, blows it away.
Click to expand...

feels like 3x the knife to me... so that's at least a $100+ knife :)


Bladite
 
sqoon said:
Well, I broke down and gave up on trying to find the time, resources and patience to make my own handle scales and simply bought a set of the BK11 scales from Tomar's.

Wow. Like it has been said before, the scales make all the difference in the world. I felt a little guilty spending $30 for scales for a $35 knife, but I'm happy I did. I look at the knife now and it totally feels like a $60 knife. For a while I was looking to buy the ESEE-3, but the BK11, to me, blows it away.
Click to expand...

I've been debating about the ESEE-3, but I already have the BK11, and you're making me think I should just get the scales... Do they make it that much better? I know the BK11 has a thicker blade stock than the ESEE-3, which is a definite plus to me. If the handles aren't that much different, I will definitely get the scales instead. Hmmmmm.
 
I just pulled the trigger on a set of scales. I'm looking forward to having my BK11 match my BK2. :D
 
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