Southard Carbon Fiber Scales That Aren't Lightning Strike

[Accelerator]

I just recently picked up a new Southard, and I must say, it certainly lives up to it's stellar reputation. My only gripe is that I really dislike the brown G10 scale. I'm planning to do a Rit dye job on the stock scale, possibly hunter green or something similar. Beyond that however, I would like to get a carbon fiber scale as a replacement option in the not too distant future. I prefer standard CF over the lightning strike variant for the simple fact that I would prefer not to have wires protruding from the scale in the event that it were to get damaged, this is going to be a hard user.

My question is this, who here on the forums has a carbon fiber scale, where did you get it, and are you satisfied with the end product? I've spent the past week doing searches here on BF and also general Google searches and have seen a myriad of options, but can't seem to be able to pin down who made them. I'm hoping my fellow forum members here can post some pics, give me their thoughts, and provide recommendations on who produces CF scales for the Southard. I know the Spyderco crew here is top notch so that's why I'm asking.

Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[Blade-fiend]

There are several custom scale makers here on the forums and all are capable of making the scales you want. Guys like Rival1314, Shepardcc and The Preacher have some very nice work

 

[Accelerator]

There are several custom scale makers here on the forums and all are capable of making the scales you want. Guys like Rival1314, Shepardcc and The Preacher have some very nice work

Yes, I know about all of those guys, it's just hard to put a name with their particular work in many instances. Rather than email each and every one of them asking to see samples of their CF Southard scales, I was hoping that the members here could pitch in and help me out. Along with the 3 that you mentioned, there is also BarryH, Tuffthumbz, Alex Dietz and a few others that I have been researching as well. My hope was that this thread could bring them and their work together as sort of a research tool for myself or maybe someone else who might be in the same boat as I.

Thanks for the input as I forgot about the Preacher.

 

[ShepardCC]

Here's some of my recent work I just finished up tonight actually . I needed to finish some orders up and take a break from studying.

First time working with Glass fiber weave. I like it
One is lightning strike carbon fiber with a silver glass weave bolster with Reptilian/Dino pattern. Love it. Feels great in the hand. Very grippy.

I also loved how my first full contoured (no flat spots) came out so I did two more both with glass fiber weave bolsters. One with a green liner and one with a purple liner.
Love them! Feels great in the hand.

Then I had some more fun. Welcome the Black Widow

Welcome the Heath Ledger

Big family

Carbon Fiber

 

[Accelerator]

^^^ ShepherdCC, those are absolutley stunning. Thanks for taking the time to post those pics for me. It really helps to be able to put a name with a scale so to speak. Oftentimes I'll see a pic of a modified knife that really appeals to me in the "What are you carrying today" thread with no info or description. This helps me out tremendously. I am really digging the 3D machined profile, it seems like it would take the already good ergonomics of the Southard to a whole new level. Just curious, what are you studying?

Edited to add: By the way, I'm a gunbuilder and a partner in a firearms manufacturing company and wanted to say the .223 casings in the background of your photos is a nice touch, even the Wolf, or Bear as it may be. :thumbup:

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

This scale fits as good as the original and I love it. I have carried this knife for the last week on and off and the knife feels great with this polished cf scale. It is thinner than stock so the knife is more symmetrical. I also picked up a shortened lanyard tube to go with it. You can email me or pm me and I'll tell you where to get one. The scale/over travel button/shortened lanyard tube run < $100

 

[Accelerator]

Boy, I hope the moderator who moved this into this particular sub-forum knows what they are doing. Having the only thread here isn't exactly confidence inspring.

The purpose of the thread was to compile a collection of Southard aftermarket scales that private owners purchased and to get their feedback based on quality and satisfaction. The only tie-in to a custom knifemaker is for the poster to include the name of the person who made the scale. It appears here that I am actively trying to recruit a knifemaker to make some scales for me, which in this case is putting the cart before the horse.

 

[ShepardCC]

^^^ ShepherdCC, those are absolutley stunning. Thanks for taking the time to post those pics for me. It really helps to be able to put a name with a scale so to speak. Oftentimes I'll see a pic of a modified knife that really appeals to me in the "What are you carrying today" thread with no info or description. This helps me out tremendously. I am really digging the 3D machined profile, it seems like it would take the already good ergonomics of the Southard to a whole new level. Just curious, what are you studying?

Edited to add: By the way, I'm a gunbuilder and a partner in a firearms manufacturing company and wanted to say the .223 casings in the background of your photos is a nice touch, even the Wolf, or Bear as it may be. :thumbup:

Thank you! I do everything by hand so the contouring takes a lot of time to do. No Cnc machine, no drill press, and no milling machine. Sometimes handmade things have more personality and mean more to the people involved.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Accelerator, this isn't the only thread in this forum. Since the forum is for paid Knifemakers to offer to make what's needed, only the original poster and paid Knifemakers can see it.

If what you want is discussion, I can move it back, but I have to remove the Knifemaker offers. Between you, me, and the rules, we have a dilemma.

 

[ShepardCC]

For the record I was only showing some of my work. Not offering anything. No prices that's against the rules

And you never go against a super mod with 70k posts
(That's a lot of posts!)

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Your scales are too good, they distracted me!

OK, let's put this back in Spyderco.

 

[RamZar]

I just recently picked up a new Southard, and I must say, it certainly lives up to it's stellar reputation. My only gripe is that I really dislike the brown G10 scale. I'm planning to do a Rit dye job on the stock scale, possibly hunter green or something similar. Beyond that however, I would like to get a carbon fiber scale as a replacement option in the not too distant future. I prefer standard CF over the lightning strike variant for the simple fact that I would prefer not to have wires protruding from the scale in the event that it were to get damaged, this is going to be a hard user.

My question is this, who here on the forums has a carbon fiber scale, where did you get it, and are you satisfied with the end product? I've spent the past week doing searches here on BF and also general Google searches and have seen a myriad of options, but can't seem to be able to pin down who made them. I'm hoping my fellow forum members here can post some pics, give me their thoughts, and provide recommendations on who produces CF scales for the Southard. I know the Spyderco crew here is top notch so that's why I'm asking.

Thanks! :thumbup:

I have also passionately disliked the brown G10 scale on the Southard. It is too bland (dare I say ugly) for such a great flipper (in my opinion Spyderco's best folder).

I did get a LSCF scale for one of my Southards (keeping the other BNIB for now) and I have to agree with you regarding about the wires in the LSCF. I have already gotten bit once. It does look stunning but I'm also willing to give up some of the looks for a regular CF.

The other advantages of the CF scale is shaving in thickness and weight.

 

[ShepardCC]

I have also passionately disliked the brown G10 scale on the Southard. It is too bland (dare I say ugly) for such a great flipper (in my opinion Spyderco's best folder).

I did get a LSCF scale for one of my Southards (keeping the other BNIB for now) and I have to agree with you regarding about the wires in the LSCF. I have already gotten bit once. It does look stunning but I'm also willing to give up some of the looks for a regular CF.

The other advantages of the CF scale is shaving in thickness and weight.

Yea I've been bitten a lot too. Especially when I'm finishing them up and sanding by hand....ouch. Drew blood a few times.

Best way to deal with those wires is to cut them off with a razor blade. And never never wipe with a towel, especially microfiber towels. They rip all the wires out. >:|

I love the look of the lscf tho.

 

[gooeytek]

I just want a really thin one so the thickness matches on both sides. I think I would be something around .050".

 

[ShepardCC]

Your scales are too good, they distracted me!

OK, let's put this back in Spyderco.

Thank You! That means a lot to me

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

I just want a really thin one so the thickness matches on both sides. I think I would be something around .050".

Look at the one in my post...that scale makes the knife symmetrical.

 

[PC87]

Hey Shepard, what about just plain ole CF scales for the Domino?

thanks

 

[RamZar]

Look at the one in my post...that scale makes the knife symmetrical.

I like the thinness. The price is right too. Who makes that one (PM/email please)?

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

I like the thinness. The price is right too. Who makes that one (PM/email please)?

Email sent.

 

[RamZar]

Email sent.

Got it. Thank you.