Quit sanding scales...

[jmclfrsh]

I keep cringing when I read about folks sanding down their scales because it's sometimes hard to get a new knife out of their pocket. There is a much better, quicker and easier way to correct that issue.

Do not sand the grips!!! Simply pry the clip out a little with your fingertip, until there is a SLIGHT amount of space visible between it and the scale. Think the thickness of a business card.

It does the same thing, all you're looking to do is make it less tough to get out of your pocket. Taking some tension off does the same thing.

If you bend it out too far, just take the clip off, bend it back a little and repeat until perfect. If you must, place the part the screws go through of the clip into an almost closed vise, or the almost closed jaws of a crescent wrench. All you're trying to do is hold it still while you bend it back a hair if you bent it out a little too much the first time.

I do that with all my folders. Much easier, accomplishes the same thing, and doesn't mess with the appearance of the knife by removing material off the knife scales.

It also helps knives that have the clips putting too much pressure on frame locks to open easy, like my ZT0566 was. I took a little pressure off and it opens with a "thwack" now.

 

[aquaman67]

What about G-10 that eats pockets?

And some people don't like the rough texture. They prefer a smoother feel.

I would be afraid to bend the clip and lose the knife.

 

[MDQBox]

This is a highly personalized hobby where tastes and and preferences vary widely. Why do you think there are so many different types and styles of knives? I sand, bend and cut my knive's scales (sometimes including the blade) to the way I like it. To each his/her own.

 

[bpeezer]

If you get manufactures to quit making their G10 like a bed of nails, I'm sure people will no longer have to sand their scales

 

[dishcore]

If you get manufactures to quit making their G10 like a bed of nails, I'm sure people will no longer have to sand their scales

Then when the nice smooth stuff comes out, everyone will be running around with files "jimping" the entire length of the scale because it's too smooth.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Then when the nice smooth stuff comes out, everyone will be running around with files "jimping" the entire length of the scale because it's too smooth.

Yeah jimping under the clip. Very likely

 

[bpeezer]

Then when the nice smooth stuff comes out, everyone will be running around with files "jimping" the entire length of the scale because it's too smooth.

Too true! No matter how they make it, people will be unhappy with it

 

[fzla226]

Light sanding of g10 doesn't effect it's appearance. Just something like a light brush with a scotchbrite pad will dull it without effecting how it looks at all.

 

[dkb45]

Simple solution to stop people from sanding scales is to stop making scales so damned coarse. Flat G10 needs to he insanely coarse to provide good grip, but then it eats hands and pockets. Some simple milling and texturing makes the scales provide good grip, and not need to be low grit sandpaper rough.

 

[redplague]

.. Simply pry the clip out a little with your fingertip, until there is a SLIGHT amount of space visible between it and the scale.

Yeah, you could do that,...or you can just sand down the scale a little....
The clip side scale of my cqc-13 was way too aggressively textured.
Some 600 grit and now it's much better.


Pulls out of the pocket much smoother now.

 

[dishcore]

Sheesh, this clip-bend vs scale-sand is getting to be like the old tip-up vs tip-down debates.

 

[bdmicarta]

Bending clips can be a touchy thing. I bought my daughter a Tenacious, she complained about the clip being too tight so I tried bending it. I know how steel bends and reaches yield so I used a piece of wood to slide under the clip and bend it out. I used thicker and thicker pieces of wood until I got to about 1/4" thick and still didn't change the clip. I was reaching my comfort limit so I stopped. One of her friends bent the clip out with his hand or something, I don't know what, and he ended up with a big gap under the clip. I had to take the clip off and bend it back. I managed to get it bent back and reinstalled, and made it a little bit looser.

I don't have any clips that are too tight for me, or any G10 that is too rough. I do have a SOG with letters stamped into the aluminum scales, and the tip of the clip fits down into one of the letters. This makes a ledge that the seam of the jeans pocket has a lot of difficulty breaching. I've thought about pulling off the clip and filling in this indention with epoxy.

And I find that low-ride clips work much differently. When I pull out a knife with a standard clip, I grab the part of the knife that is sticking out. When I pull out a knife with low ride clip, I have to pinch between the clip and the knife and that puts more tension on the clip, which makes the knife harder to pull out.

 

[The Logical One]

Some people just have delicate/sensitive hands. I've heard people complain about jimping/scales being too "aggressive" on knives, and even on guns. The whole point of the rough texture is so that during actual use of a knife during less than ideal conditions (when it's raining or when you get blood on it), you don't lose grip of the knife/gun.

 

[dishcore]

And I find that low-ride clips work much differently. When I pull out a knife with a standard clip, I grab the part of the knife that is sticking out. When I pull out a knife with low ride clip, I have to pinch between the clip and the knife and that puts more tension on the clip, which makes the knife harder to pull out.

Good point, sir. Never thought about it that way. I have a few low-ride clips and favor them over the standard.

I just did a major swappage on my Manix2, which had some fairly grippy G10 from the factory, and the standard spydie 3 hole clip. It turned into this:

Clip is from a maker on BF here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...for-Delica-Endura-Paramilitary-2-Police/page6
Scales are from Allen Putman.

 

[RemyKaze]

Do what you do, let other people do what they do, and don't complain about it because it doesn't effect you.




P.S. I cringed at hearing how you bend pocket clips. Don't do that anymore cuz it's not my cup of tea, okay?!

 

[dishcore]

Some people just have delicate/sensitive hands. I've heard people complain about jimping/scales being too "aggressive" on knives, and even on guns. The whole point of the rough texture is so that during actual use of a knife during less than ideal conditions (when it's raining or when you get blood on it), you don't lose grip of the knife/gun.

I hear you there. I've got both ends of the world. I used to have these evil looking calloused beat up manly hands, I was a longshoreman / equipment operator for 8 years before I took a job as foreman. Now I still get to see a little of the beating my hands got before, but by little I mean like 5%. I have lady hands now. Well, except for all the scars. I did retain a decent "leathery" feel to my palms and finger pad areas, so most G10s don't get to me much.

 

[discomonkey32]

IMO using a fob to pull out your knife usually makes a big difference in comfort regardless of how tight the clip is. However, rough g10 can be harsh on the pockets, that's when I just take the clip off.

 

[grownstar]

At the end of the day, I'd rather have to use a little force to get my knife out than have it flop around thanks to a loose clip.

And redplague, you're gonna have to stop showing that bowie Emerson or I'll be forced to take it from ya haha.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I've bent the clips (taken off of the folder) in a vise where I could see how much it moved. Have done this with various knives, including some CRK's. Absolutely, no problem...at least until I got to one knife that about tore my pocket off. Even sanding and electrical tape under the clip didn't help. Finally, I contacted BenchMade, and they quickly and (very nicely) sent me a redesigned clip. My blessings to them.
Don aka sonnydaze

 

[redplague]

At the end of the day, I'd rather have to use a little force to get my knife out than have it flop around thanks to a loose clip.

And redplague, you're gonna have to stop showing that bowie Emerson or I'll be forced to take it from ya haha.

Nope, she's all mine...hands off !