Spyderco Lava mod question...

[Death's Head]

I just got a Lava and I want to possible add an overlay to the scales. I may be able to do it myself. I notice that Lava is not screwed together. My question is, how is it kept together? Welded? Also, is the handles hardened? I won't be able to tap the steel if it is, and that means I'll have to send it to Steve for new G10 scales instead.

 

[STR]

Its pinned with precise fitting hardware. Yes the scales are hardened. I am not sure how hard Spyderco takes them at the plant in Japan but they seemed harder to me than 45 Rockwell drilling them. Normally a cobalt drill can still get though 45 Rockwell with little problem and the one time I tried to drill a set of those that I had scrapped where I was just playing around to get an idea the cobalt drill dulled right quick. It was a new drill bit too. I would not try to thread them personally. I'm not saying there isn't someone out there that would and maybe even a few that would pull it off but its not going to be me. A job like that is supposed to be simple and when you break off a threader its a day or two if not ruined on something not made of titanium which you can soak in swimming pool acid to at least let that eat out the tap so you can try again. You might be able to just barely get some threads started in one but I'd stop soon as it started to really restrict you some which is going to happen. The real problem is drilling the hole the correct size to thread it. Based on my experience you would need a two flute carbide from MSC in a #48 size for a 2-56 screw size.

I have taken apart quite a few and some pop right apart no problem. This seems to be rare though. Usually they fight you tooth and nail stubbornly trying to stay together.

 

[Death's Head]

Cool. Then it sounds like a job that's way beyond my own skills.
Thanks Steve!

~P~