Replace stock scales with Micarta on slipjoint. (Updated)

357survival · Mar 29, 2013

I bough the below Craftsman Slipjoint on the forums a bit ago, and would really like to give it a newer look with some black or brown micarta scales.
I found a place to order some online, but have a question:
Do i need any special equipment to work with Micrarta like you need with G-10? Like a respirator or anything? I would wear a basic mask and gloves anyways probably.

After finding out that G-10 is basically made of fiberglass, i have no interest in pursuing that route anymore.

OHALLUM · Mar 29, 2013

You could just glue them without the pins, or tap the pin holes and put in corresponding screws of the right length, and then file the heads down. I know some on here have done just that.

Blessings,

Omar

mpphoto · Mar 31, 2013

I've done just a few knives so I don't have a ton of experience but have had good luck so far.

You can take a Dremel and grind the heads off the pins. Then carefully pry off the scales. If you can keep the scales intact you can use them as the pattern for your new scales. You only need one scale so it's ok if one breaks.

Now cut down the pins, file them down and peen them to the liners. It doesn't take a lot of force if the pins are brass or nickel. After peening I was able to get the pins very flat to the liners by filing them down some more. If your pins are sticking up slightly you can use a drill to make small divots on the back of your new scales so that the pins sit in the divots and the scales are tight to the liners. Once the pins are tight to the liners you can create your new scales and epoxy them on. The knife pictured has no bolsters so I did most of the shaping on the knife. With bolsters I'd be inclined to do most of the shaping before gluing the scales. When making my new scales I use double sided tape (the strong type that woodturners use) to attach both scales together so I can do the rough shaping to both at the same time.

The brass pins you see in this example are purely decorative and are only inserted in the wood.

This one is not finished yet but once I got the scales off I saw that only the center pin is needed to hold the knife spring in place. The side pins you see are there only to hold the scales so you can opt to use them on your new scales or remove them completely. The pins that are used for the knife pivot and the butt end are under the bolsters. I took a file and filed the center pin down to the liner. A few quick hammer taps and it was peened tightly. Then a few swipes with a file and it was perfectly flat. Once my new maple scales are fitted to the knife I will decide whether or not to drill holes for pins. If I do use pins they won't be peened. They'll be flush with the scales and protrude ever so slightly on the underside so they "drop" right into the existing holes to help anchor the scales. I think the epoxy is more than enough to hold the scales in place so the pins are somewhat optional for me.

357survival · Mar 31, 2013

@mpphoto,
Thanks for the reply, those look really nice!
Has the epoxy been holding up well and not coming loose?

mpphoto · Mar 31, 2013

My pleasure 357! I learned all of that stuff on the various forums so I'm just putting the info back into circulation.
I use DevCon 2 ton epoxy for most things and I've never had a problem with it. In your case where the scales are between bolsters they won't be subject to much pressure. If you decided to add pins it wouldn't be that difficult but I don't think they're essential.

Omega Leather Works · Apr 1, 2013

I have the exact same knife 357.

Well, except that it's Camillus branded and has Delrin scales.

If you have the time would you mind posting a close up of the tang stamp? They ground the stamp off on the Camillus branded knives, but I believe I can make out part of the A and definitely the N in Craftsman.

Either way I'm looking forward to seeing your completed work. :thumbup:

Oh and great work mpp!

357survival · Apr 1, 2013

Looks like it says
CRAFTSMAN
U.S.A.
95111

Strigamort said:
I have the exact same knife 357. Well, except that it's Camillus branded and has Delrin scales.

If you have the time would you mind posting a close up of the tang stamp? They ground the stamp off on the Camillus branded knives, but I believe I can make out part of the A and definitely the N in Craftsman.

Either way I'm looking forward to seeing your completed work. :thumbup:

Oh and great work mpp!

Omega Leather Works · Apr 1, 2013

That's gotta be it. I'll post a pic of my knife's tang in a bit, but I'm nearly positive.

Thanks!

Omega Leather Works · Apr 2, 2013

Well I tried pretty hard to get a pic where you could see my ground tang, but light and reflections won the battle.

This is the knife I have.

I like yours better for the brass.

Also, I'm not sure if yours were sharp, but all of my blades we're dull. I spent a lot of time thinning both of the small blades. The blade stock was too thick for my taste so I ground them much thinner.

357survival · Apr 4, 2013

@Strigamort ,
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on an unmodified one of those.

Omega Leather Works · Apr 5, 2013

357survival said:
@Strigamort ,
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on an unmodified one of those.

You'd have to talk to the (super) angry old man that I bought it from at the local swapmeet, but I'm nearly certain that he only had one.

I know that they were selling them cheap on ebay a while back in lots. Those have dried up I'm sure, but you may luck out.

What I really(!) want is the Cold Steel version which was the same knife only the blades were of Carbon V instead of SS. If you come across one of those and don't want it let me know.