Removing a carbon fiber scale

Houndstooth

Houndstooth

Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
905
I have a Kershaw Tyrade that I would like to edc, but the carbon fiber scale that is glued to the lock side, prevents me from easily removing the knife from my pocket. How can I remove the carbon fiber, without screwing up my knife?
 
Not that this answers your question, but I believe the scales are actually G-10. Before removing I would take some sandpaper and a block of wood and sand the scales to smooth out the rough finish.
 
If the scales are glued on you may be able to heat the scale up with a heat gun or hair dryer. This will cause the glue to loosen up a bit so you can remove the scale.
Just depends on the type of glue used.
 
Fuzzy Bunny said:
Not that this answers your question, but I believe the scales are actually G-10. Before removing I would take some sandpaper and a block of wood and sand the scales to smooth out the rough finish.
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I have the first model. It's a titanium frame lock with carbon fiber onlay?, that looks like a puzzle piece. The placement on the lock side, by the pocket clip, cause it to hang up on the seam of your pocket. If you don't use extra care when removing from you pocket, it will rip your pocket seam.
 
Whitedog said:
If the scales are glued on you may be able to heat the scale up with a heat gun or hair dryer. This will cause the glue to loosen up a bit so you can remove the scale.
Just depends on the type of glue used.
Click to expand...
I've tried using a hair dryer, but it doesn't get hot enough. I don't have a heat gun, but I've been meaning to get one. Will it get significantly hotter than a hair dryer? I'm about ready to just clamp it down and use a hammer and chisel.
 
It's very easy actually, I can buy that one from you and you can get another with the smooth scales :)

But yes, a heat gun gets much hotter, it can actually burn the scales. Be careful.
 
Houndstooth said:
I've tried using a hair dryer, but it doesn't get hot enough. I don't have a heat gun, but I've been meaning to get one. Will it get significantly hotter than a hair dryer? I'm about ready to just clamp it down and use a hammer and chisel.
Click to expand...

Use a heat gun, harbor freight has one that has served me well and it was only 5 or 7 dollars.
 
Houndstooth said:
I'm about ready to just clamp it down and use a hammer and chisel.
Click to expand...

Don't do this.

If you can't find a heat gun at a reasonable price you have another choice. You can either break the knife down to where you only have the scales or just do it with the whole handle, I recommend breaking down the knife. Boil a pot of water and turn off the burner. Dip your scales in and out of the water (the water won't damage the scales) after a minute or so the CF should come right off. If you don't break the knife down then you should open the blade and dip just the handle into the water.
 
Tony8179 said:
Don't do this.

If you can't find a heat gun at a reasonable price you have another choice. You can either break the knife down to where you only have the scales or just do it with the whole handle, I recommend breaking down the knife. Boil a pot of water and turn off the burner. Dip your scales in and out of the water (the water won't damage the scales) after a minute or so the CF should come right off. If you don't break the knife down then you should open the blade and dip just the handle into the water.
Click to expand...

I didn't even think about boiling it. I'll give that a try and if it doesn't work, I'll buy a heat gun. Thanks for the idea.
 
There are glue release products,or finger nail polish remover might do it.Rather than a hammer and chisel,go razor blade and tiny hammer.
 
I have successfully removed epoxied-on scales by submerging the whole shebang in boiling water for a couple minutes. It softens the epoxy so you can pull it apart. The fine folks in the Knife Makers Q&A forum suggested it. After it comes apart there will still be some gooey sticky epoxy remaining on both parts. I used MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) to get it off, but I imagine you could also use brake cleaner, or pretty much any strong solvent.
 
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