Slippery G10

rad148

rad148

Joined
Mar 5, 2001
Messages
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Have a nice small fixed blade by a maker that I really like. The handle scales are green G10 and are smooth and fairly slippery ie little traction for a good grip. Before I start trying to rough up the scales up with a rough grit sandpaper or some other such silly idea, does anyone have a better idea? Perhaps there is a chemical or or laminate that someone knows of? Hopefully, a knife maker or someone who has had the same problem before and who has done all the trial and error part will offer a good suggestion before I mess it all up and have to rip them off (rivets and all) and figure out how to replace them.
Tks
Rad
 
The best way to achieve the results you want is to have the handle bead blasted. Perhaps the original maker can do this for you, or maybe there is someone here or locally that can do it for you.

As a home remedy, here's what I did on a knife that I made for my sister's boyfriend. I sanded the handle to a 400 grit and buffed it. Then I wend back with some 220 grit and litghtly sanded the micarta handle, which gave the handle a very grippy surface. Then I LIGHTLY buffed the blade so that it was shinier than the 220 grit finish, but still more grippy than a fully buffed 400 grit.
 
Two ideas straight away. Thank you.
Bead blasing may not be an option in Thailand. Unless I can find a machine shop that is rigged for this such as one that does valve jobs on engine heads. There is the matter of marring the blade and tang finish as well, which are bead blasted, but matching the grit may be dicey.
Sending it back to the maker is not an option either, as he is not taking orders due to trying to fill his back log, which I believe is going to take a long while.

Crayola-For the sanding...you mention that you used this techniqe with micarta. Do you suppose that I would see the same results with G10 then? My linen Micarta handles are smooth, but there is a better grip than these particular G10 scales which actually have a rougher finish than the Micarta, but feel "greasy". Perhaps something has filled in the pores to make them more slippery than usual. I have tried cleaning, but only with soap and water.

I was thinking that since G10 is made of compressed fiberglass sheets, that there would be a chemical that would react with the scales, but perhaps this only applies during the initial process.

Tks again, if no other suggestions turn up, I will try the sanding.
Rad
 
Depending upon the thickness of the G-10, I suppose you might consider checkering them, or simply cutting them to a slight depth with the blade of a knife.

Trouble is, that might begin a process of never-ending little fiberglas splinters getting into everything as long as you use the knife.

Still, you might be able to checker the scales, get a fairly rough surface, then use super glue or some other bonding agent to seal the cuts so splinters don't keep coming out.
 
Hello Rad148:

I haven't tried this technique with g-10 yet. The fact that it is glass and not wood/linen/canvas/whatever might make a difference. But i suspect it wouldn't make much of one. If rough sanding the handle doesn't work, you can always sand with 400 grit and buff to return the handle to a smooth finish.

If you find a place to get it blasted, make sure the blade is taped or somehow covered, that way the blade is safe and it is just the handle being blasted.

Good luck customizing your handle.
 
rad:- I'm not sure if it'sthe same thing, but I have a friend who own a sand-blaster. He did quite a good job on few of my friend's 686 S&W handgun. Let me know if you're interested.

:D
 
Bugs3x-Yes they are thick enough to cross-hatch or score, and yes you may have a good point about the fiber glass splinters. I only know from working with surfboards a few decades back but good point. Perhaps the same material resin compound used for surf board repair?
I may have a lead on bead blasting in Thailand and will check that first, but like your idea and will give it some more thought.
Tks Crayola for the good luck wishes. This particular knive is worth the extra effort.
Will give you a shout Khun Santi.
Rad
 
I have used several of my checkered G10 and micarta scaled fix blades for a few years now. Although probably not easily visible to the eye, I have noticed NO splintering of any particles from either materials. The only change that is apparent is the hue of micarta, especially black colored, where there seems to be a slight powdery appearance after cleaning. Some light preservative/ oil will cure that. G10 remains unchanged.

When blasting or sanding, keep in mind the possible dimension changes, where original fit in kydex sheaths may be altered.

Nakano
 
Whooh boy, decisions...
Thank you very much for that post Nakano. Just out of curiosity, was that a personal "Gotcha" re your warning about possible fit problem for the kydex sheath after bead blasting? I can see where a couple of score marks at the front of the handle would not alter the thickness or fit, whereas bead blasting might. The fit now is perfect, the best of the bunch, and loosing that lock up would have definatly ruined my day.:)

Beginning to sound as if I am not the only one who has had this problem before and sought solutions. It is good to get this input before hand.

Rad
 
You can mask areas you don't want to sandblast. You can make attractive designs on the scales that way, too....
 
If the original kydex sheath was very closely (detailed) molded and snaps in when sheathed, then a light blast would not alter its dimensions enough to compromise its fit. For example, I had Bob Dozier take back a few blades strait from knife shows to have its micarta scales lightly blasted. They were simply too smooth for serious use in my experience. Most of them were sent off for checkering immediately afterwards. They still fit into their respective sheaths with a nice snap. No problems. Bob makes excellent sheaths for most blades.

Take a good look at the most recent (11/01) issue of TK magazine. On the inside of the back cover there is a pic of one of Tim Wegners Bogusewski made folding hunters. Now THAT'S a serious set of scales for a real using knife! 10x better than any blast finish.

Nakano
 
Posted by Nakano:
Take a good look at the most recent (11/01) issue of TK magazine
Click to expand...

Nakano- Uh, what is TK magazine? :) Joking, I know it is a knife mag, but have yet to see any here in Thailand.

You mentioned that you sent some knives off for checkering. I had been thinking along the lines of using a dremel tool, but perhaps this is not a good idea? What was the special consideration for having them sent out?

tks
Rad
 
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