TKC G10 handles? (see what happens when you're missing parts?)

[hhmoore]

If you bought the scales new then you should have received two small ziplock bags with them. The scales come with two sets of screws, one set for the regular size Beckers and one set for the thicker ones like the BK-2 and BK-3. Included in the BK-2 ziplock are the steel dowel pins to use with the scales for either size.

The Dowel pins go into the two original holes from the stock hardware in the handle of the knife and then the ends go into the holes in the scales them self. That will keep the scales from sliding around on the tang.

Here are some pics showing the parts you should have received.

Hope that helps. And if you can't find the original pins, it would be a simple fix to make a set of your own.

-Dex

I did purchase them new/directly from TKC. I did receive both plastic bags....but I don't recall the dowels being there (I was expecting something like that, though). Maybe they were in the bag I didn't use, and I missed them because I didn't open it. I'll check when I get back

 

[spazcsmc]

Anyway, I knocked them a little harder against the stump, and did get them closer to where they belonged...but they moved again about 10 minutes later. At this point, the handles move more readily than before; but not to the point where I can align them by hand. I brought the Allen's wrench, thinking I could tighten the fasteners a bit more - nope - they're still tight as I left them....in fact, they didn't move, despite the amount of flex I was getting on the wrench. My 4 will be rockin the stock handles by dinner time.

I keep the stock handles and stipple them lightly. Use a wood burning tool with a pointy point. They work great

 

[daizee]

That's absurd.
They are CNC'd. Why didn't they put the holes in the right place on the CNC drawing? someone had to go to the trouble of putting them somewhere. Why do it wrong?

If you're not going to return them, I would drill a center hole for them. At least that will mean they can only rotate a little bit.

 

[hhmoore]

The bag with the BK2/3 hardware does not have dowels; and I know the bag I used last night did not (I emptied the contents onto a paper towel, and used all of the pieces.

 

[Silverthorn]

They do come with 2 steel dowels like Dex said, even the tweener ones do. Without the dowels in place I could definitely see this happening.

 

[Jonny1280]

Dex has it right.
The pins/dowels that come with the scales are used to prevent the scales from shifting.

The bag with the BK2/3 hardware does not have dowels; and I know the bag I used last night did not (I emptied the contents onto a paper towel, and used all of the pieces.

I'm sure TKC will hook you up.
I need to get in contact with them too because I have the BK2/BK3 set and I need longer barrel nuts to make them work on my other Beckers.

 

[spazcsmc]

The one shown alongside stock Becker and TKC G10 handles is a BK12, yes. You can use any micarta, G10, wood, (or whatever) handles shaped to fit full sized Beckers...as long as they use the stock bolt holes. You would, of course, have to either remove the brass plugs, or drill the scales to accommodate them. I removed them on the one that I dressed in wood.

Hhmoore can u contact me bout knife. I been trying to email u. Spazcsmc@gmail.com

 

[B.F.U]

Extremely glad to have seen this thread. I assumed they used the holes. So they just use friction?

 

[hhmoore]

They do come with 2 steel dowels like Dex said, even the tweener ones do. Without the dowels in place I could definitely see this happening.

Dex has it right.
The pins/dowels that come with the scales are used to prevent the scales from shifting.

I don't doubt that - I just didn't get dowels. Granted - I've had everything on my desk since I purchased them; but last night was the first night I opened the hardware bag.
I should be able to make something easily enough. I've got a box of 3 inch nails downstairs, lol...and if they're a little too thin, I've got JB Weld to make them thicker. They might not be pretty dowels; but they'll work. :thumbup:
Thanks for confirming my suspicion. (I probably should have paid more attention, since the label on the bag said to use dowels)

*Edited to add*
How sad is it that about 2 months ago, I even TOLD somebody that the TKC handles use pins for stabilization. This is from the thread in which I posted the scales & BK12 pictures in, when another member ran into a problem.

I see what you mean....the TKC scales don't use the stock mounting holes for the bolts. There's a small pin that fits in the two outside holes, and the scales are partially drilled for those pins - those are basically for stabilization since the mounting hardware they use sits in the skeletonized part of the tang. That's unfortunate....it also means that they wouldn't work with an unskeletonized version (older BK2s, for example)

I'm guessing that I read the label, and understood that the dowels went in those holes, because I would have had no reason to open the bag and remove them.

 

[hhmoore]

Extremely glad to have seen this thread. I assumed they used the holes. So they just use friction?

No - there are supposed to be metal dowels that go through the outermost bolt holes of the tang. They fit into the blind holes shown on the inner side of the scales, and prevent the scales from moving. My kit either didn't have them, or they were stolen by gremlins (cue Bugs Bunny)

 

[keroscene]

That's absurd.
They are CNC'd. Why didn't they put the holes in the right place on the CNC drawing? someone had to go to the trouble of putting them somewhere. Why do it wrong?

If you're not going to return them, I would drill a center hole for them. At least that will mean they can only rotate a little bit.

agreed. I can only assume that the less screws, the cleaner the look. only, its just one less. do have to admit, they look really nice. however, seems like a lot of trouble to go thru (blind holes, dowels) to eliminate a screw. oh well, makes sense to somebody i guess.

 

[Silverthorn]

I think they dont want to go through the original bolt holes because they use a sleeve and bolts. If they go through the original holes that could cause problems with the sleeves getting deformed from pressure. I have no proof to back this up, its just a thought. Personally I like the sleeve bolts I think it looks very clean, and I havent had any problems with mine, but mine are on a tweener.

 

[JDMiller]

You didn't read the instructions?

.

 

[HotRodColt]

The plot thickens! As soon as I opened the thread I realized what happened.

You will enjoy your scales much more after you get the dowels in place!

 

[BeeKayNutCase]

The TKC G10s are great scales. I've got a large pair, a set for a tweener and one for my 14. The small set are the only ones that have the 'filler' for the space in the skeleton. The others, as had been mentioned, have the dowels. Oddly enough, I seem to recall, TKC even suggest adding a bit of cotton or something similar in the blind hole to prevent rattle from the dowel piece (just to add ANOTHER step in the construction!). HH you certainly would've added the dowels had you received them I'm sure. Making your own should be pretty simple I guess. T'would be a simple oversight and a basic flaw of having things hand-packed. Those scales you have look fantastic though..

 

[hhmoore]

I think they dont want to go theough the original bolt holes because they use a sleeve and bolts. If they go through the original holes that could cause problems with the sleeves getting deformed from pressure. I have no proof to back this up, its just a thought. Personally I like the sleeve bolts I think it looks very clean, and I havent had any problems with mine, but mine are on a tweener.

Pretty close - the response I received from TKC is that "the factory holes in the blade are too small to accommodate the threaded bushings."

You didn't read the instructions? .

I read the packaging 2 months ago, and understood that there should be dowels for the 2 outermost holes....however, when I finally assembled the knife (it was around 0300, if that explains anything, lol) I saw two bags - each containing 2 threaded bushings and 4 small allen head screws (there was an allen's wrench in at least one of them). When you've got 2 threaded bushings and 4 screws, who reads?

The plot thickens! As soon as I opened the thread I realized what happened.

You will enjoy your scales much more after you get the dowels in place!

They aren't the original dowels; but I've got them back together. I'll head over to the other place this coming week and give it a workout.



I have edited the title of the thread, and inserted a comment in the original post.

 

[granitestateofmind]

I read the packaging 2 months ago, and understood that there should be dowels for the 2 outermost holes....however, when I finally assembled the knife (it was around 0300, if that explains anything, lol) I saw two bags - each containing 2 threaded bushings and 4 small allen head screws (there was an allen's wrench in at least one of them). When you've got 2 threaded bushings and 4 screws, who reads?

Seriously. The circumstances don't matter; the statement stands as truth. Directions are for peeples that have no clue in the first place (though I sometimes give them a cursory glance before turning them into confetti with a sharp tool ). It's always better to learn by figuring it out as you go.

 

[52100]

Outside view of TKC and standard scales


Inside view


and how it looks with a knife in the way - showing where the fasteners actually sit (obviously, the BK4 doesn't have the brass plugs)

Thank you for posting this thread and the photos that are worth at least a million words. I have NO idea why TKC would design scales that didn't utilize the factory BK holes which works great, rather than using a slew of bushings and dowels. Heck, at a minimum just offer the bare scales with instructions to re-use the factory screws. Or better yet, supply stainless hardware that mimics the BK factory screws. Simple, proven, game over.

 

[hhmoore]

My guess is that they started doing these scales for Esee knives, and just continued using the same hardware as they started making scales for Beckers. I understand the choice because the formed hole for the nut is more (precision) work; and simplifying the handle production while accommodating the Becker hardware would then require 2 tools. I have no doubts that the metal dowels stabilize the handles, and make for a problem free assembly...I'm just kicking myself for not remembering that they should have been there before a) I installed the handles and b) I started this thread.

 

[DerekH]

To be able to make their own handles and not infringe upon Ethan's works, they need to make a significant change to the handles themselves. That is easily accomplished by changing the amount of screws, as well as the overall shape of the handles (they are different from stock scales in shape). Glad you figured out the dowels were missing, I imagine that would have caused quite a bit of consternation.