Removing the buff from HDFK scales.

veritas

veritas

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2002
Messages
923
hey all, I have an HDFK with buffed Green Micarta scales. I'm curious if anyone has removed the buff from their scales to increase the overall grip? It was suggested by CPK to grit blast the scales but I don't really have access to that kind of equipment and finding unbuffed scales or terotuff scales seems to be difficult now.

Anyone have any other experience in removing the polish? I was thinking super high grit sandpaper but I wasn't sure.

Thanks for any advice.
Regards,
Vin
 
Super high grit paper is just going to polish them, and a low enough grit will remove the texture milled into the scales. I lightly blasted my HDFK scales and they're a nice match to the unbuffed scales as recieved from CPK.

Where are you located? Chances are there is a shop of some sort relatively nearby with a sand/bead blasting setup....metal shops, automotive paint shops, some glass shops, etc.
 
ahhhh, well that makes sense after reading it. I live in NYC.
If I found a place to do it, what grit would be appropriate?

Now I'm just thinking of leaving well enough alone lol.
 
Buffed as received from Nathan and gang
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Sandblasted, scales and hardware
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With a little oil rubbed on the sandblasted finish.
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veritas said:
ahhhh, well that makes sense after reading it. I live in NYC.
If I found a place to do it, what grit would be appropriate?

Now I'm just thinking of leaving well enough alone lol.
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Leave well enough alone. Buffed scales are great and unbuffed doesn’t increase grip that much.

Where in the city are you?
 
Josh K said:
Leave well enough alone. Buffed scales are great and unbuffed doesn’t increase grip that much.

Where in the city are you?
Click to expand...

Unbuffed does feel like it has more traction to me. Over time, the sandblasted finish will smooth over with use, but not to the level of "buffed" from CPK. Mine are currently in between sandblasted and buffed, perfect IMO!
 
I had 2 sets of scales for my Light Chopper. One buffed and one unbuffed

I gave the buffed one to a machinist friend and just just lightly sandblasted them and really I like the feel and texture of the blasted more than the unbuffed

it’s not Terrotuff grippy, but it’s nice
 
91bravo said:
Unbuffed does feel like it has more traction to me. Over time, the sandblasted finish will smooth over with use, but not to the level of "buffed" from CPK. Mine are currently in between sandblasted and buffed, perfect IMO!
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I have some unbuffed scales. I agree, it's a little more traction. And maybe on a big chopper you'd notice (but then why not Terotuf?). On a smaller knife (think HDFK and smaller) I think Buffed Is Best™

veritas said:
im in Staten Island.
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Never been, sorry. Have you emailed Jo about getting scales? I have a pair of unbuffed black I might be interested in trading for the green. I'd have to check on that though.
 
Josh K said:
I have some unbuffed scales. I agree, it's a little more traction. And maybe on a big chopper you'd notice (but then why not Terotuf?). On a smaller knife (think HDFK and smaller) I think Buffed Is Best™



Never been, sorry. Have you emailed Jo about getting scales? I have a pair of unbuffed black I might be interested in trading for the green. I'd have to check on that though.
Click to expand...

Not a fan of the looks of Tero tuf, plus, I really like the antique micarta that Carothers is putting out, it's unlike any other micarta out there!
 
I’ve thought about “unbuffing” with some fine steel wool. Not sure how it would work with all the texture though. I had some success taking the sheen off some smooth polished burlap this way, which did improve the grip. I like Jonny’s method best! :thumbsup:

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My hands are on the rough side so buffed or unbuffed Micarta is just fine by me :D I really like the groves Nathan incorporated in all his scales it lets air in :thumbsup::thumbsup: what's most important to me is the shape of the handle and how it fits my hand. If Wood was as durable I think that would be the ticket for texture.
 
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I prefer the unbuffed ... they will darken with use just from the oils in your skin using them ... but not lose a lot of grip.

I have tero tuf for one of my choppers but I switched it back to the unbuffed micarta ... just my personal preference.

sanding or steel wool would just smooth them more than improve grip ... as said above ... a light sand or bead blasting I think would be your best bet ... and I can say 91bravo does a very nice job in blasting scales and or blades and hardware ... you probably won't find a better deal than just pay the shipping to him and back to you.
 
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