Scales are moving...

T

Telebrand

Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
11
Ok, first off I am new to the forum and also new to Becker. I just received my first Becker, a BK2, for Christmas and I am loving it! I can't put it down! My wife get aggravated at me cause every time I walk by it, I have to pick it up and look at it or do something with it! And even though it has only been a week since I got it, I have already stripped the coating off the blade and added a set of Ipe scales from tommythewho. Now to get to business. I am having a slight issue with my scales. After battoning some firewood yesterday (some red oak by the way) the scales are actually moving around on me a little. The first time they did it, I noticed that the screws holding them on had loosened up a little, so I re-positioned and tightened the screws back down, a little more than I had the first time. No big deal. But then after only 2 more cuts, they moved again! I really believe the issue is that since I have stripped the blade and gotten all of the coating out of the holes, I think it is allowing the screws a little room to move, but I could be wrong. Just looking for a bit of advise, please! And I am by no means complaining about the scales themselves! They are awesome! Here is a pic with them on the knife!
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I can see why you pick it up every time you pass it. That is one fine looking knife. I think you simply don't have the screws tight enough, and good to have you at the campfire by the way.
 
I second the loc-tite...it will do the job. The scales look great. I have 3 sets from tommy( 2 full size and 1 tweener) and they are awesome.... I keep eye balling the micarta but just end up buying wood from tommy. They hold up well too. I have a set on my 9 and they get a lot of use and still look great.
 
Better to ease your way to tight rather than crank down and damage the scales, so you're going about it the right way.
Loctite or clear fingernail polish and a little bit of elbow grease. You should be GTG.
 
Are the screws backing out or are the scales sliding around on the tang? The Loctite will help if the screws are backing out but if they aren't tight enough to grip the tang they are too loose.
 
I am gonna try some loctite and see what that does. I am just not real sure that it is the screws backing out. I know they did back out a little the first go around, but I don't think they did the second time. But let me try the loctite and then I will go from there. Thanks alot guys!
 
Just a thought here, but if those scales aren't stabilized they will shrink and swell with changes in humidity. The Loctite will only hold the screws in position and allow the scales to move around on you if they shrink even a tiny bit. Unlike micarta or grivory, wood scales are a little bit finicky if they aren't stabilized and epoxied in place. You should check the screws often with them and adjust the tightness as needed.
 
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