Question about checkered scales

[Longden]

I really like the checkered scales on my MS knives and asked in the general forum about why this wasn't done more often. The two dominant replies:

1) It's expensive to do.

2) Checkering may be harder to clean than bead-blasted finishes, especially if it gets gummed up with blood and guts (ie, hunting).

I can't speak about the 2nd point, not being a hunter, but on the issue of expense, the usual explanation involved how tedious it was to hand-file the checkering ... and if the maker messed up, the knife is ruined.

Now I look at my 501MS scales, and I KNOW the checkering's not hand-filed. And I'd be surprised if the scales weren't checkered BEFORE they were assembled to the handle to minimize the risk to the knife (duh!).

My question: how exactly is the checkering done on Buck's checkered scales? My guess is that it's farmed out to some CNC shop that mills or laser cuts the checkering.

And (roughly) what percentage of the cost of the final product results from adding the checkering? Anyone know or can hazard a guess?

 

[CJ Buck]

I am not sure about the cost but as to the process you are correct. We buy the handle scales already checkered for those products. In this manner it is not a dramatic cost increase. It is also not very flexible either.(not many production options once on the line...)

As a hunter, it would be more work to clean up but the grip advantage would remain even if dirty.

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CJ Buck
Buck Knives, Inc.
AKTI Member #PR00003

 

[peteq]

(My Checkers speech)

In the case of the Master series, we completely finished the knives, then sent them across country to a CNC house who used a needle router to cut the pattern. Yes, some units were scrapped. But the big reason it wasn't done more often was cost and logistical issues.

With the Designer's Choice series, checkered Walnut and Cherrywood inlays are available if you unselect the handle rivet option.

We purchase inlays with an already cut pattern, and we have developed some methods to shape and clean the handle without coming near the checkering. Not to give away all of our secrets, the final finish on the checkering involves some varnish and a teeny paint brush.

peteq

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pete quintanilla
Buck Knives, Inc.