Thoughts on custom scales for 940 specs?

Gideons

Gold Member
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Dec 9, 2015
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Hey BF,

I've never bought custom handle scales before. The thing I dislike the most about the 940-2 the lack of traction. I'm wondering who would you recommend to make custom high traction G10, with jimping in G10 finger choil and thumb ramp to make up for Benchmades non-functional jimping in those areas. Side note... do you think that would work getting jimping in those areas? Thanks

-Gideons
 
Like this?

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I definitely think it will work, and love the idea of you going that route. If you really like the knife, minus the handle, revamping the handle to suit you better is perfect.

Not sure where to go, check the appropriate subforums for services offered and see what you can come up with, can't wait to see what you come up with.
 
Positive traction is much more effective when it comes from handle shape as opposed to jimping and rough scales. That said...

You want Keyman, Steve Ketchen, or Deathofallthings.
 
I agree with this. I prefer the handle ergos to lock me in instead of roughly textured scales and jimping. But to each their own, everyone has different preferences. Good luck in your hunt.

Positive traction is much more effective when it comes from handle shape as opposed to jimping and rough scales. That said...

You want Keyman, Steve Ketchen, or Deathofallthings.
 
I agree with this. I prefer the handle ergos to lock me in instead of roughly textured scales and jimping. But to each their own, everyone has different preferences. Good luck in your hunt.

Me too. But, maybe I should just wait to see what next year has to offer, but nothing quite has what I want the 940 is just closest.
 
Positive traction is much more effective when it comes from handle shape as opposed to jimping and rough scales.

^^Agree.

OP - maybe 940 is just not for you. I just looked at many custom scales for Benchmade 940. While they are all beautiful, I am not sure how much they can add to the traction or ergo of the knife.
 
Pretty sure what he is looking for would be a truly custom set unlike anything the custom makers already make. This would require whatever maker he uses to adjust all of their cnc programing for one set of scales. Doubtful he will find anyone that would do that without paying a very substantial amount.
 
I dunno about the custom jimping stuff, but you might consider getting scales made in TeroTuf rather than G10 by one of the makers in the Exchange. It has an amazing tacky texture but without the need for coarse surface milling that makes the knife a pants-ripper, so great for EDC use. Feels almost like fabric to the touch.

Steve Ketchen (in the Exchange) made me a TeroTuf scale for a Southard and that knife is now an outstanding work knife. Steve does beautiful work but don't know if he does Benchmades.
 
^^Agree.

OP - maybe 940 is just not for you. I just looked at many custom scales for Benchmade 940. While they are all beautiful, I am not sure how much they can add to the traction or ergo of the knife.

Yeah haha. I think it might not be... just can't seem to find a new EDC I'm excited about. Maybe I will just wait and see haha.
 
Yeah haha. I think it might not be... just can't seem to find a new EDC I'm excited about. Maybe I will just wait and see haha.

Feeling the same. Recently I am more interested in getting custom work done on the knives I like the most. I am considering having some aluminium scales made by a machinist. Or getting a CRK anodized.

And to answer your initial question, I like these new stabilized wood materials. Many style and colors available! They should look good on such a slick design.
 
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I'm not sure what you are doing with the 940 that you would require more "traction". It is more of a lite-med duty EDC. Designed to be slim, sleek, and unobtrusive. Putting a bunch of ramps and rough spots on such a knife defeats the purpose IMO. Like was said above, maybe it is not the right knife for what you are doing. Has it ever slipped or cut you because of not enough "traction"?
 
I'm not sure what you are doing with the 940 that you would require more "traction". It is more of a lite-med duty EDC. Designed to be slim, sleek, and unobtrusive. Putting a bunch of ramps and rough spots on such a knife defeats the purpose IMO. Like was said above, maybe it is not the right knife for what you are doing. Has it ever slipped or cut you because of not enough "traction"?

The 940 no, but another knife has once which had led to me being very cautious. The issue is, I do like the sleek, light weight and still capable knife... ever since awhile back I did have my hand slide forward and get sliced pretty badly been pretty cautious about slipping/always on my mind when buying a new knife. I think you might be right about it may not be the knife for me a, I just really want to like it.
 
Positive traction is much more effective when it comes from handle shape as opposed to jimping and rough scales. That said...

You want Keyman, Steve Ketchen, or Deathofallthings.

Steve Ketchen has not been "in communication" with folks here for some time. I have also tried to contact him for some work, without any answer. He does fine work, but we haven't heard from him. He seems to be out of contact, at least temporarily. If I'm wrong, please let me know.
 
The 940 no, but another knife has once which had led to me being very cautious. The issue is, I do like the sleek, light weight and still capable knife... ever since awhile back I did have my hand slide forward and get sliced pretty badly been pretty cautious about slipping/always on my mind when buying a new knife. I think you might be right about it may not be the knife for me a, I just really want to like it.

Whatever you work on with a knife, it sounds your best bet is a knife with a guard. How about a flipper?
 
Take a file and make some parallel lines that are angled and there you have your traction
 
Whatever you work on with a knife, it sounds your best bet is a knife with a guard. How about a flipper?

My thoughts exactly; if you're worried about your hand slipping forward, a knife with a prominent flipper should alleviate any concerns about that happening.
 
My thoughts exactly; if you're worried about your hand slipping forward, a knife with a prominent flipper should alleviate any concerns about that happening.

yes, all of my current knives have a flipper. I actually made a thread about what should my new EDC be. I was hoping for a sleek design with a pronounced flipper. Any suggestions by any chance?
 
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