Rough up G10 handles?

[CHP5]

I recently traded a friend for a Syderco Wegner (large). I love the knife! The G-10 handles, however, are somewhat smooth for my taste. Is it possible to "rough up" the G-10 handles to make them less smooth AND not totally mess up the handles? Thanks for you help!

 

[Rugger]

G-10 in its "natural state" is pretty slick (think computer motherboard). The version you get on the Wegner has been "texturized". You can have it checkered as on a gun stock (aftermarket modification). Bogesewski (sp?) and/or Wegner himself offers the knife w/ a checkered handle.

 

[DanEHunter]

You'll get the rough texture that most of us are used to if you have the scales bead blasted with a mild media. I messed up the scales on one of my folders once so I sanded them smooth to remove the gouge I had put in them and then bead blasted them...good as new.

 

[CHP5]

DanE,

Thanks for the advise. What tools/materials do I need to bead blast the scales? Thanks.

 

[DanEHunter]

Well, first off you're going to need access to a bead-blasting cabinet. The media I used (I'm not sure the exact name but I can find out) had almost the consistency of talcum powder. I'm sure the more aggressive the media (the coarser the particles) the rougher the texture will be. Can you remove the handle scales of your knife? It would make the job much easier if you can.

PS: If you really want this done but don't know of anyone in your area that can do it for you let me know, if you want to send me the scales I could do it for you.

 

[CHP5]

Thanks DanE. I may take you up on your kind offer if I can't find a local guy to help. Thanks.

 

[glockman99]

CHP5,

You might check with a local gunsmith, as if they don't have their own bead-blaster, they will know where you can have it done.

 

[averageguy]

Just look in the phone book under sand blasting / bead blasting.

 

[FrankieCrabs]

Why not just try some, let's say, 320 grit abrasive material [ie- sandpaper, etc.]? If you don't like it, you could always work up to higher grits and smooth it out again. I think that would be much easier and convenient than beadblasting the scales.

 

[CHP5]

Thanks for all the advice!

I ended up putting a small piece of "skateboard" tape where my thumb hits the scales. That seems to do the trick and it doesn't rub the pocket/my thigh either.