Tips for making BK11 scales?

M

MezmerizedOne

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May 7, 2013
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I'm going to be making some scales for my BK11(if all goes well for my BK2 and BK10 as well) this weekend and I was wondering if anyone had any helpful tips. I'll be making them out of wood. I found an awesome looking wooden cutting board at goodwill today. I hadn't heard of Monkeypod before so I thought I'd give it a go. Did a stip and patina job on it last weekend. I think it went well. Any tips would be awesome since these will be the first ones I've made.:)
 
Tale your time, don't get discouraged. It's not really hard to do. If sanding Progress with the paper until all scratches are gone. Take pictures to share.
 
First I traced the shape of the scales and cut them a little bigger, then drilled the holes.
I cut them bigger just in case they don't line up right after I drilled them.
Take your time, and good luck.
Be sure to take lots of pictures.
 
Take your time, measure twice cut once, and feel is more important than looks.
If you're screwing them on (I would) it'll be much easier to make some thin wood or plastic inserts than to grind away wood to fit in the holes in the tang.
Take lots of pics, and enjoy the project!
 
tjswarbrick has some good suggestions. I make wood spacers to make sure the scales don't shift when I do a set. Taking your time is probably the other most important thing (and the hardest for many of us to do).

What do you have for tooling and sandpaper etc?
 
Thank you all for the advice! I'll be sure to take lots of pics.

What size hardware should I use? I was thinking about using bolts. I've seen where people use 2-3 when attaching them. Which would be better? I'm going to function and comfort.

I have an idea of what I want the scales to look like, I'm just a little iffy until I sit down to make them. Can't wait for the work week to be over so I can focus on this project! Lol :)
 
MezmerizedOne said:
Thank you all for the advice! I'll be sure to take lots of pics.

What size hardware should I use? I was thinking about using bolts. I've seen where people use 2-3 when attaching them. Which would be better? I'm going to function and comfort.

I have an idea of what I want the scales to look like, I'm just a little iffy until I sit down to make them. Can't wait for the work week to be over so I can focus on this project! Lol :)
Click to expand...

I tried 3 screws in my 24, and it was just wrong. I'd go 2.
8-32 works well in a knife that size; 10-24 will match the full-size Beckers.
One of the hardest parts is cutting hex holes for the nuts. I enjoy seeing it come together, and like the standard hex head socket screws, but there are lots of other options. Pivot screws, chain ring bolts, and sexbolts are a few.
 
And get a rasp. I've used the dremel, files, and a small belt sander. You'll still need files and sandpaper, but the rasp was definitely the best investment for stock removal and initial shaping.
 
tjswarbrick said:
I tried 3 screws in my 24, and it was just wrong. I'd go 2.
8-32 works well in a knife that size; 10-24 will match the full-size Beckers.
One of the hardest parts is cutting hex holes for the nuts. I enjoy seeing it come together, and like the standard hex head socket screws, but there are lots of other options. Pivot screws, chain ring bolts, and sexbolts are a few.
Click to expand...

What did you use to cut the hex holes?

tjswarbrick said:
And get a rasp. I've used the dremel, files, and a small belt sander. You'll still need files and sandpaper, but the rasp was definitely the best investment for stock removal and initial shaping.
Click to expand...

I have a dremel, files, and a belt/disk sander. I do appreciate the help with this.

I can't wait to see these come together!
 
When I made my sets I did not make a hex hole. More like I drilled a 3/8 hole then tightened the scales together so the nut essentially made the hex hole. Here's a pic if your interested.
20121230_173844.jpg
 
After drilling a slightly undersize hole, I chuck the smallest high speed cutter I can find into the dremel and use a nut as a template. Try to make short, straight lines. Luckily, because of the above, it need not be perfect. But I like to start the cutouts to set the depth and minimize my chances of cracking the scales.

Dylan - those look nice. What kind of what is that? I imagine that works better with some than others.
 
There are some really good how to for making scales on you tube too. Good luck and share the pics.
 
I would say- Be patient and avoid hurrying anything. If you take care in cutting, shaping and finishing, you will be proud of what you end up with. When you have made something for yourself, will you really think back later and say "Wow I should have done that faster..?" With wood- you can always take off a little more, so take the time to get it shaped to your liking.
I attached pics of my first set of scales- They are curly maple with 5 coats of laquer. I did the shaping using a hand held belt sander which I assure you is NOT the optimal tool for the job. I am not happy with the way the mounting hardware turned out- I was in a hurry and didnt take the time to countersink the bolt heads and I plan to remedy this. I hope to do a similar set for my BK-2 but want to get access to a sanding table with a belt/drum setup for that project.

Have fun and enjoy the process!

Ignatiusbecker2.jpgbecker 1.jpg
 
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