Re-handling the Schempp Rock

[adamrockcrawler]

Got a Schempp Rock a while back and though I have yet to go use it, I really like the knife!

Now my only real issue with this knife is the handles. While I appreciate the feel, grip, lightweight, strength, and affordability of FRN I'm not the biggest fan of its appearance, like at all... So I plan on either myself or having someone re-handle my Schempp Rock. I toyed with the ideas of Micarta, LSCF or some nice wood.

I happen to have a nice piece of Oregon Maple Burl that is big enough but I am less than amateur and the handle looks like it could be difficult to shape correctly...

What does everyone think I should go with? What would be the ideal handle material for this knife? Something that retains the weight?

Also any recommendations on a solid craftsman who could accomplish this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[shockjockey24]

Ive wanted to rehandle mine with micarta, but I think it would throw off the weight and balance too much Maybe a Becker-like material, it seems light and tough.

 

[adamrockcrawler]

Ive wanted to rehandle mine with micarta, but I think it would throw off the weight and balance too much Maybe a Becker-like material, it seems light and tough.

The more I think about it the more I think that would be the major problem. Right now the balance point seems to be right at the back of the nig finger choil. I really like that balance point.

What are the becker-like material?? I assume FRN makes CF seem heavy.

 

[9blades]

The more I think about it the more I think that would be the major problem. Right now the balance point seems to be right at the back of the nig finger choil. I really like that balance point.

What are the becker-like material?? I assume FRN makes CF seem heavy.

If I remember rite beckers use grivory.

 

[phillipsted]

That looks like some really nice maple burl, Adam. Has the wood been stabilized? If not, the handles will absorb a lot of water and darken with use. Stabilizing fills in the pores with a resin so that they become more impervious.

This wouldn't necessarily be a tough project - but it wouldn't be my choice for a first home project.

TedP

 

[adamrockcrawler]

That looks like some really nice maple burl, Adam. Has the wood been stabilized? If not, the handles will absorb a lot of water and darken with use. Stabilizing fills in the pores with a resin so that they become more impervious.

This wouldn't necessarily be a tough project - but it wouldn't be my choice for a first home project.

TedP

The wood has been stabilized and really it is a superb piece of maple burl. That is the wood after a rough cut and just wiped with a damp cloth to show some of the character. I had a smaller slice of it I sanded and waxed but can't seem to find it...

I have handled a knife once (....once) before and it came out alright, honestly I would like to attempt it but without currently having access to a drill press and a nice sander I don't think it would work out very well....

The burl would look awesome but still thinking how much I care about weight and the balance point... Anybody know where I could find information on say the weight of Carbon Fiber vs the weight of FRN...?

 

[RevDevil]

FRN in a 1 cubic inch VS CF in the same cubic inch would be heavier. The FRN has a lot of airspaces based on the ribbing underneath the scale (think FRCP Manix2). I don't think the balance would be affect so much that the knife would become uncomfortable, much unusable.