Does anyone sell wood grips for Becker knives? I'd like to pick up a duplicate BK7 (or the new drop point), strip the coating, and install wood scales. I'm thinking some cocobolo or checked walnut would look stunning. I'm really looking for something pre-finished and ready to install, rather than blanks.
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Ready-to-install wood grips?
- Thread starter Bob W
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There are a few folks here, that make them, and can hook you up.
The first that comes to mine is Oregon Fal'er, he sent me a set of burls that are spectacular.
PM or email him and see what he's up to.
Moose
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I've got some cocobolo on hand if he doesn't, and that's what you want.
I'll keep you in mind, as well as Oregon Fal'er. Seems a bit premature to order custom scales now when I don't even have a knife picked out yet; I'm really looking forward to the drop point "tweener," and am thinking that might be the best target for some "traditionalizing" (I made that word up) mods.
At this point I was just wondering if there were any dealers who stock natural replacement handles for the BRKT models. I've seen a few places to order micarta and other synthetic scales, but nothing in wood.
At this point I was just wondering if there were any dealers who stock natural replacement handles for the BRKT models. I've seen a few places to order micarta and other synthetic scales, but nothing in wood.
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No wood direct from a dealer, since kabar doesnt offer a factory wood scale. I have however seen them on a popular auction site and from makers here in the forum. Its my personal opinion that since beckers are such a hard use and tough as nails knife, that mass producing scales that have so many natural impurities such as wood, can only lead to warranty issues. Ive heard plenty of stories of bark rivers and other production knives that offer wood handles straight from the factory, having cracks and or shrinkage. Seems best to let something like that to the aftermarket and offer scales in synthetics like micarta that add to the knife without opening a possible can of worms with the claims department. Of course this is one mans opinion that has nothing to do with the company.
Besides those reasons already mentioned, there are a few more hurdles with offering high grade "drop in " replacement wood grips for Beckers.
The first is COST. Besides covering CNC machine time, the cost to "stock" a Becker in truly high grade wood is expensive. Why? well, because most of the knife scale providers don't offer them in sizes large enough to make the huge Becker handles. The real problem is the width. Most knife scales or Bowie blocks are only 1.5" wide. Beckers need at least 1.8" to have enough wood to make a factory replacement set. Raw unmachined high grade , stabilized slabs sets in such a large sizes would run $30 wholesale before any machine work and finishing was done.. Add machine time, finishing. the cost of rejected peices (guaranteed with wood) and reasonable profit and you are looking at $75-$100 for such a set of scales depending on the wood species..
The second issue is the durability of bolt on solid wood handles over time.. Any kind of bolt on knife slab can work loose over time. Combine that with the vibration and shock by the hard use many of the Beckers endure and that is prescription for wood breakage. To me, installing a set of high grade wood handles on a Becker is a lot like installing a stock on a hard kicking rifle. It has to be installed perfectly and stay that way for the wood to hold up under the shock it will be subjected to .
My recipe for a wood handled Becker is a relatively flaw free, high quality set of stabilized slabs that are permanently installed with Accraglass and 1/4 shouldered bolts (Corby, Acorn ,Loveless etc) . Basically, that is the same way any high grade custom knife would be handled in wood . Beckers should be no different, IMHO..
And really, you look at pretty much any other brand of knife that uses bolt on slabs- Esee, Rat, Ranger, etc etc, there are no wood grip options for them ,either.
The first is COST. Besides covering CNC machine time, the cost to "stock" a Becker in truly high grade wood is expensive. Why? well, because most of the knife scale providers don't offer them in sizes large enough to make the huge Becker handles. The real problem is the width. Most knife scales or Bowie blocks are only 1.5" wide. Beckers need at least 1.8" to have enough wood to make a factory replacement set. Raw unmachined high grade , stabilized slabs sets in such a large sizes would run $30 wholesale before any machine work and finishing was done.. Add machine time, finishing. the cost of rejected peices (guaranteed with wood) and reasonable profit and you are looking at $75-$100 for such a set of scales depending on the wood species..
The second issue is the durability of bolt on solid wood handles over time.. Any kind of bolt on knife slab can work loose over time. Combine that with the vibration and shock by the hard use many of the Beckers endure and that is prescription for wood breakage. To me, installing a set of high grade wood handles on a Becker is a lot like installing a stock on a hard kicking rifle. It has to be installed perfectly and stay that way for the wood to hold up under the shock it will be subjected to .
My recipe for a wood handled Becker is a relatively flaw free, high quality set of stabilized slabs that are permanently installed with Accraglass and 1/4 shouldered bolts (Corby, Acorn ,Loveless etc) . Basically, that is the same way any high grade custom knife would be handled in wood . Beckers should be no different, IMHO..
And really, you look at pretty much any other brand of knife that uses bolt on slabs- Esee, Rat, Ranger, etc etc, there are no wood grip options for them ,either.
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Thank you Jim for the very insightful post. You make some very good points, and I'm not opposed to permanent attached scales when the time comes.
The "tweener" models should have narrower handles, making them easier to fit to standard stocked slab sizes. Or not?
The "tweener" models should have narrower handles, making them easier to fit to standard stocked slab sizes. Or not?
You're right. I can think of some exceptions though. Ek, for one. But I'm not certain if their slabs are user-removable or glued.
Bob,
You are welcome. Just my veiwpoint after having worked with fine wood(mostly building gunstocks) over the last 50+ years. I love it, but the good stuff is not cheap and the labor to truly make something worth while from it is just as expensive.
Given their projected price point, smaller size and useful designs, the tweeners will make great candidates for re-handling in wood.
You are welcome. Just my veiwpoint after having worked with fine wood(mostly building gunstocks) over the last 50+ years. I love it, but the good stuff is not cheap and the labor to truly make something worth while from it is just as expensive.
Given their projected price point, smaller size and useful designs, the tweeners will make great candidates for re-handling in wood.