Smooth, Stainless steel, scales

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Gary W. Graley

Gary W. Graley

“Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Mar 2, 1999
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Morning folks, one thing that I find slightly dangerous are folders with smooth stainless steel scales/handles. It doesn't take long before they become slippery and possibly shift unexpectedly while using. I know some have used Skateboard tape to add texture to the scales, I don't have any of that to experiment with, and I hesitate to order some as I fear that it might be TOO coarse to have on the folder. Another scheme might be to have the handle engraved to provide some texture, I'm not an engraver and I don't know of anyone local that can do that kind of work, plus I'm betting it isn't inexpensive ;) as the folder isn't that expensive and putting good money into it doesn't make sense, to me at least. SO, for the moment I just use some frog tape, fairly sticky and ran some 'tracks' diagonally to provide additional texture and that does help, with the gripping, but not with the looks, but then this knife is meant to be used and not stared at, that position is held by a more expensive knife :)

How the handle looks without the tape and with the tape

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Folded over the spine and along the back side

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

So, for...hmm the next few days/hours/minutes this will work until I come up with another idea.

Lets see what you guys and gals have come up with for your too smooth to use folder scales.

G2
 
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Thanks to Peregrin Peregrin for getting this thread into the right forum section!
G2
 
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I use a grip tape like Talon on a wide variety of things. The brand I use is GT-5000. It has a textured rubber surface as opposed to a sand-papery surface.

I've had some on a flashlight since 2016, I use the light daily, it's seen a lot of pocket-time, as well as a lot of time clipped to my belt, and the tape shows no sign of coming off. It's not as grippy as it once was (it's gotten worn down a bit), but it's still stuck on tight.

I never would have expected any kind of tape to hold and last this long with this much use, and not have any peeling around the edges. Needless to say, I'm very impressed with the product.

The flashlight mentioned above. Tape is 7 years and still going. The head of the light is smooth, and receives the most contact/rubbing.

uVZunFU.jpg
 
He's certainly top notch !!! no doubt about it !
G2
 
Not too fond of the holy knives, in Titanium I think it would work better as that can have a more brushed finish.
G2
 
I own that exact model, the Ruike. Slick as a greased pig in the hand. A good looker for sure, though. I will monitor this thread for solutions. Thanks.
 
I'll report back once I get some of that TALON Grips Sheet

one other thing that I did was take a diamond dremel disk cutter and cut in a few grooves onto the flipper tab as that was quite smooth and you could easily slip off of it when trying to open the blade. Now, it flips every time without fail. The thumbstuds are a little low profile, which is ok but not the best for me to use to open the folder.

G2
 
A small sheet of the Talon rubber material arrived today and I applied it onto the folder, that stuff is StIcKy ! so I think it will hold up for a while at least.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

I went for the rubber because the other texture read like it was a bit too coarse, glad I did as this feels about right.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

and a small section on the lock bar side

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
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