Trying to find someone for custom scale and bolster work

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Fripfrop

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I've got a knife I'd like some custom made parts for. However, it's proving to be a serious task finding anyone. It's an older Benchmade Crooked River from their custom shop. It came with the damascus blade, black hardware, black bolsters and carbon fiber scales. Ideally I'd like to swap the bolsters for brass and the scales to blue mammoth molar. Is anyone willing to take on such a project or know someone that is?
 
Fripfrop said:
I've got a knife I'd like some custom made parts for. However, it's proving to be a serious task finding anyone. It's an older Benchmade Crooked River from their custom shop. It came with the damascus blade, black hardware, black bolsters and carbon fiber scales. Ideally I'd like to swap the bolsters for brass and the scales to blue mammoth molar. Is anyone willing to take on such a project or know someone that is?
Click to expand...

Since you asked me in DM I will address this publicly for future people with simular questions....

Couple of issues I see
1. Me personally, I wouldn't go through the trouble to rehandle something, unless it was broken, and I was very emotional attached.... Like your grandfather knife that you want to use to teach your kids to hunt.....etc.
2. It's expensive. I bet more than many knives are worth.
3.many makers don't wanna do work on other people's knives. Since this is almost production? That shouldn't be a problem.


I'm flattered you sought Me out. Thank You.
I have no problems with working with brass, I've machined it many times.
But, I currently make USER knives. My knives aren't pretty looking. They are handmade. There are minor scuffs and scratches.
They Are Beautiful, but not because of their shine, but because of their function, performance, and they have amazing ergonomics.

I think you might not be happy with my work, for such Fancy materials. I haven't worked with fossils or mammoth yet, Idk how durable it is?

I will follow this, and think more about it...... Thanks.
(I hope you can find what you want)

-I know there are Unpaying members here who will swoop in and "help"
I just recommend being patient.

I know David Mary does Many rehandle jobs for many people here.
I'm not sure if he's willing to work with Mammoth? But I know he's more adventurous than me. Haha. And.....he's into Dinosaurs, so this might be Perfect?

David? Would you, Could you? David Mary David Mary I

*edit....if DM responds, it won't be until tomorrow, or later.
He doesn't work on Sundays. (Just letting you know that he Isn't ignoring you)
:)
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Since you asked me in DM I will address this publicly for future people with simular questions....

Couple of issues I see
1. Me personally, I wouldn't go through the trouble to rehandle something, unless it was broken, and I was very emotional attached.... Like your grandfather knife that you want to use to teach your kids to hunt.....etc.
2. It's expensive. I bet more than many knives are worth.
3.many makers don't wanna do work on other people's knives. Since this is almost production? That shouldn't be a problem.


I'm flattered you sought Me out. Thank You.
I have no problems with working with brass, I've machined it many times.
But, I currently make USER knives. My knives aren't pretty looking. They are handmade. There are minor scuffs and scratches.
They Are Beautiful, but not because of their shine, but because of their function, performance, and they have amazing ergonomics.

I think you might not be happy with my work, for such Fancy materials. I haven't worked with fossils or mammoth yet, Idk how durable it is?

I will follow this, and think more about it...... Thanks.
(I hope you can find what you want)

-I know there are Unpaying members here who will swoop in and "help"
I just recommend being patient.

I know David Mary does Many rehandle jobs for many people here.
I'm not sure if he's willing to work with Mammoth? But I know he's more adventurous than me. Haha. And.....he's into Dinosaurs, so this might be Perfect?

David? Would you, Could you? David Mary David Mary I

*edit....if DM responds, it won't be until tomorrow, or later.
He doesn't work on Sundays. (Just letting you know that he Isn't ignoring you)
:)
Click to expand...
This is actually my first time looking to do this to any knife. While I realize it would cost more than the original knife it's not really about trying to increase the value. It's more about taking a knife I genuinely enjoy even in it's original form and taking it up a notch. I've got quite a few of that same model or the mini version. Each are different but each I enjoy immensely. So I'm looking to take this one and put a more personal touch on it if that makes sense? If it were already a custom one off, I wouldn't look for this at all. I've got a couple of those and the thought and craftsmanship that went into each is worth more to me.
 
Fripfrop said:
This is actually my first time looking to do this to any knife. While I realize it would cost more than the original knife it's not really about trying to increase the value. It's more about taking a knife I genuinely enjoy even in it's original form and taking it up a notch. I've got quite a few of that same model or the mini version. Each are different but each I enjoy immensely. So I'm looking to take this one and put a more personal touch on it if that makes sense? If it were already a custom one off, I wouldn't look for this at all. I've got a couple of those and the thought and craftsmanship that went into each is worth more to me.
Click to expand...

Honestly, you phrased it very well....and good enough.
I was just listing practical objections.

-but I do stuff All the time, just because I want to....haha

(I'll read about mammoth molars some)

*it would probably help you to post some pictures. Of knife and your materials
So interested parties know what to expect
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Honestly, you phrased it very well....and good enough.
I was just listing practical objections.

-but I do stuff All the time, just because I want to....haha

(I'll read about mammoth molars some)

*it would probably help you to post some pictures. Of knife and your materials
So interested parties know what to expect
Click to expand...
Well it's definitely a hobby and hobbies are supposed to be fun! Haha As far as pictures a picture of the knife and an example of the scale material is included!
 

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Fripfrop said:
Well it's definitely a hobby and hobbies are supposed to be fun! Haha As far as pictures a picture of the knife and an example of the scale material is included!
Click to expand...
Beautiful blue molar 🦷 😊. Sounds like an interesting project for that special someone with these skills to process. My only add would be to consider the time involved to do this and what that would work out to. Let’s say 10-20 hours (guess) plus all of the specialty tools and skills needed and what that works out to in the professional world where people are just doing tasks for money (think car mechanic, plumber) and what they might charge for their time.

Don’t get sticker shock and think about what the whole job really entails 👍
 
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JV Knives said:
Beautiful blue molar 🦷 😊. Sounds like an interesting project for that special someone with these skills to process. My only add would be to consider the time involved to do this and what that would work out to. Let’s say 10-20 hours (guess) plus all of the specialty tools and skills needed and what that works out to in the professional world where people are just doing tasks for money (think car mechanic, plumber) and what they might charge for their time.

Don’t get sticker shock and think about what the whole job really entrails 👍
Click to expand...

I think it's A Lot more than those hours. At least for me, it might be double, idk?
I work slow, and stand around a think....too much.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I think it's A Lot more than those hours. At least for me, it might be double, idk?
I work slow, and stand around a think....too much.
Click to expand...
I’m right there with you brother….moving at the speed of smell 👃 😊. I don’t track hours at all honestly so really rough guess.
 
Nope. No sticker shocks. 🤣 My career isn't included in the trades but it probably should be. If I had more free time I'd probably end up getting more into fabrication, too. I work fourteen days on, seven days off and alternate between days and nights so it's a wonky schedule but what I do is very niche and detail oriented. When I move up a bit more in the field, I may start taking on side projects on my own a bit more. Nothing wrongnwithbworking slow, either. Sometimes it's better as a matter of fact. Quality over quantity! My coworker is the exact opposite. Always in a hurry so he can go sit down. I end up having to tell him to redo a lot of what he does because he cuts corners to move fast.
 
Also, just to clarify, I don't actually have the mammoth molar. 🤣 That's the picture off of the distributors website!
 
I'm in Texas. What other pictures do you think would help? I won't be home until Thursday morning so that'd be the earliest I could post more.
 
some close ups of the blade and current scales. Top, bottom, bolsters (from the front), sides and pommel or butt end. also the handle length. How big are you looking to do the brass bolster?
 
SolarStorm50 said:
some close ups of the blade and current scales. Top, bottom, bolsters (from the front), sides and pommel or butt end. also the handle length. How big are you looking to do the brass bolster?
Click to expand...
I'm just looking to swap the black bolsters on it with brass ones. Not looking to change anything about the shape of the knife at all. I'll get more pictures and measurements when I return home.
 
So I was dragged out of town as soon as I got home. The fiancé wanted to go home and look at wedding venues so I won't be home to take more pictures until Monday.
 
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