SCALE Questions

Centuriator

Centuriator

Joined
Jun 7, 2020
Messages
462
Re. my BK9

1) So, when you remove/replace the "scales" or "grips" as the commoner calls them, what kind of toque pound inches should you use to tighten down the screws, and do you guys use any sort of thread locker?

2) Do you remove the scales to clean the tang? Or is that not needed/necessary, particularly if you do not remove the coating?
 
1. I feel my way through tightening it. No exact calculation. No thread locker.

2. I take them off to clean as needed. Not very often.

Just in case you’re interested in replacing the screws with stainless, full size Becker’s use
10-32 x 5/8” socket head cap screws. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks brother, very helpful. Sorry for the dumb question, but it appears the hardware is itself coated, so what is the advantage of using stainless steel screws and bolts?
 
The stock hardware has a black oxide type coating on it. And will rust pretty easily, no big deal really. I like the black oxide stainless myself and I use a blue lock tite.
 
I’m using blue loctitie after I lost a bolt on my BK4 during a backpacking trip.
I’ve left the coating on under the scales, so I haven’t seen the need to remove and clean under there.
 
Same here.

Loctite just for an added sense of security and an extra Allen key in the pocket of the sheath.

I have not upgraded to stainless yet, but I plan to. The stock hardware will show orange rust pretty quickly after being exposed to moisture. They still work fine though.
 
Yep. Blue loctite. Zero risk, high reward.

If i can recollect, id imagine i put around 30 lbs of torque on it. But thats just my hand feeling it. You shouldnt have to grunt.

You can always tighten it til it feels good (after you have loctite on it). Give it a few hard swings into a log. If the scales stay snug and secure, let it sit for 24 hrs for that loctite to cure. And youre good to go.
 
Maybe 30 inch LBS.

For those of you getting "scale shift" during use, I recommend some of that thin 2 sided tape made by scotch under the scales where they meet the metal of the tang.
Right at the bolt hole I lay a 1/2" ish piece of tape. Cut a little slice for the bolt to go through and screw it all together lining them up as I go.
 
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