Swap scales on a BM Mini-Grip to create an orange 551?

MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

Go Army, Beat Navy!
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Oct 6, 2004
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How hard is it to switch scales on a Mini-Griptilian? I know they're a pain to make, which is why only a couple custom guys make them and they cost more than the knife.

I have a friend who wants a Mini-Grip and really likes the orange, but safety orange is only an option on the 556 (thumb-stud version). If friend prefers the thumbhole I figure I can swap the orange scales from a 556 onto a 551 (thumbhole version). That's assuming they're not hard to take off and change.

I know BM voids the warranty if you do practically anything to the knife, but that aside is it so hard to swap out Mini-Grip scales? The scales should be identical for the two models, so I suppose it's just catalog simplicity (or keeping collectors excited) that keeps BM from offering all variants of a model in all colours.
 
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Don´t swap the scales, swap the blades.

This way round you just have to loosen the pivot and it should word fine with the Axis-Lock I believe.

Worth a try?
 
You can swap the blade and it should work. The angled ramp on the tang on the knife should be similar enough between knives that the AXIS lock will adjust for any minor difference.

You can also change the scales if you want. It is not that hard. And while you technically void the warranty, it is only void if whatever goes wrong with the knife is caused by the modification. I think the main reason they say that is so that they don't constantly get ziplock bags full of parts that people couldn't put back together.
 
I've swapped blades between full sized Grips on a couple occasions with no trouble. The only tricky bit is getting the holes in the blade and the brass washers lined up with the hole in the handle. A third hand to hold back the Axis lock would be helpful, but it's not too hard to do on your own.
 
Just for clarification,

551 = large stud
550 = large hole
556 = mini stud
555 = mini hole
 
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