Rookie question for you, STR

[flipe8]

I was wondering how hard you might think it would be to replace the G10 slabs with either Ti or even aluminum? I was thinking of having the steel liner removed as well? I've currently got an all steel model circa 1999 and absolutley love the super-slim profile, but would love to get a newer model.
Thanks:thumbup:

 

[STR]

It is certainly much easier to just buy the new one. I had one of those new Rookies here recently and its a nice little folder. Good size, nice grip, and overall the one here was flawless. I liked it a lot.

The tricky part about rebuilding a lockback is so multi layered I hesitate to even try to put it all in words. Many things can easily go wrong when taking apart pinned together lockbacks and the slightest miscalculation of a hole placement and the whole project crumbles like a house of cards. On most of those made in Japan folders like that one you have the issue of odd ball metric pin sizes to deal with and most all the time you end up having to redrill holes throughout the folder to make it standard sizes. This can be problematic in so many ways I will just say that and leave it at that.

Personally I would not recommend starting out on one of the stainless models but would recommend one like the all screw construction Manix or Mini Manix that are much larger, which equates to easier and also allows you the option of going back to factory if all else fails. On an all stainless one you risk losing a good usable knife or a the least hoping that someone with more practice can bail you out. There are a few guys out there that can do that. I have taken over a project or three for folks that got in over their head to take it to fruition for them when they could not get it right, some successfully and some not so much. I have not tried rebuilding a Rookie all Stainless, but I assume based on the shear number of Lava rebuilds that I have done successfully that its just as doable as that model.

STR

 

[flipe8]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I was actually thinking of doing the work with a new G10 version where you would be able to take the knife apart as it's screw construction and replacing the handles with another handle material. I've seen some of your previous work along this line and wondered what a Ti or aluminum handles Rookie would look like?? If it looks like something you'd consider, please let me know.
Thanks:thumbup:

 

[STR]

Yeah thats certainly doable but even that can be tricky and due to the off sizes of the barrels used on those darn Japanese folders. Those holes are hard to find a drill bit that actually works so the barrels just pass through but still fit tight. I've not found one that will drill the hole the size needed in those Jap knives. You can get close but its just under the correct size and as a result all the holes need reamed out to make them work. Not sure I want to mess with it on Ti or aluminum after all the trouble those spacers for the Delica 4 gave me but G10 scales in a different color or more aggresive texture is something easier to do since reaming out that material is a lot quicker than either other two materials. Aluminum would probably be fairly easy though come to think of it. It machines easy enough also.

STR

 

[jared76]

it kinda goes along with the way i think, if its socially acceptable its probably wrong

 

[flipe8]

Would it be possible to make a handle without liners? Perhaps using micarta or G-10? I guess what I'm getting at through very poor description is I don't like the single liner on the new Rookie, so what would be your suggestion for a mod? Add a liner, or make new handles altogether?