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What are the best scales made of for a Becker
- Thread starter spazcsmc
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- Feb 8, 2013
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I love my micarta so that's my suggestion, but I know the tkc g10 is well loved around here, but they won't work for the bk12
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- Jul 30, 2015
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I've been doing some research. They say micarta absorbs. Like animal blood and get wet and fall apart. I don't know never used them. G-10 looks like a thinner grip compared to the grivory that comes on the beckers
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Haha just typed a post about the g10 handles and you are right they are thinner.
I think the Kabar micarta is where it's at. The g10 has nice texture but I do think the micarta would be the better grip for all that blood sweat and tears stuff.
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The micarta will asorb a little liquid but not nearly enough to fall apart, all it does is make the handles tacky which adds more grip. Micarta is some sort of material, canvas in this case, that is impregnated with fiber glass resin, so I promise you they won't fall apart
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G10 is the most 'indestructable'. Micarta is next then Grivory/Zytel then Wood.
Yeah, unless made specifically for the BK12, any BK Micarta/G10/Wood scales will have to be modified to fit the BK12 if the brass plugs are used. Even the Kabar Micarta scales.
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- Dec 6, 2012
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I'll take a stab at this. In my opinion ranked from longest use time to shortest use time
1. G10
2. Micarta
3. Grivory
4. Wood
5. Paracord (had to add that, just for laughs)
Of course, I will conceed I do not make handles, in any of these materials, therefore, I emplore our illustrious knife maker brethren to chime in with their experience.
1. G10
2. Micarta
3. Grivory
4. Wood
5. Paracord (had to add that, just for laughs)
Of course, I will conceed I do not make handles, in any of these materials, therefore, I emplore our illustrious knife maker brethren to chime in with their experience.
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2013
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- 3,159
I wouldn't worry about wearing micarta out. Unless there was something wrong in the manufacturing process they should be very long lasting.
I've bought used handles and washed them clean and not had a problem with them absorbing more than a minimal amount of moisture. I would hardly even call it absorbing. More like a surface dampening.
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- Jun 18, 2015
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- 518
Everything is a trade off, depending on usage and circumstances.
Swinging a big knife for hours? Go Grivory for comfort (according to those around here who do that kind of chopping)
Sweaty palms or wet hands? Go micarta for absorption and extra grip (micarta shouldn't fall apart unless you've done something very wrong).
G10 can be the grippiest (depending on the texture of a particular set of scales), but that also means a very grippy G10 can be rough on bare hands.
Like the stock handles but want some extra grip? Bicycle innertube seems to be the popular choice.
My work gloves have textured palms and fingers which don't go great with the Grivory, but are awesome with micarta and G10.
Micarta also just feels great in my hand.
Can't comment on wood.
And only real men can handle a paracord-wrapped BK9.
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- Jul 30, 2015
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Everything is a trade off, depending on usage and circumstances.
Swinging a big knife for hours? Go Grivory for comfort (according to those around here who do that kind of chopping)
Sweaty palms or wet hands? Go micarta for absorption and extra grip (micarta shouldn't fall apart unless you've done something very wrong).
G10 can be the grippiest (depending on the texture of a particular set of scales), but that also means a very grippy G10 can be rough on bare hands.
Like the stock handles but want some extra grip? Bicycle innertube seems to be the popular choice.
My work gloves have textured palms and fingers which don't go great with the Grivory, but are awesome with micarta and G10.
Micarta also just feels great in my hand.
Can't comment on wood.
And only real men can handle a paracord-wrapped BK9.
Lol and thanks for the info
tanglediver
Gold Member
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- Sep 2, 2013
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Cut them out of AR500 steel. ... 
:thumbup:
:thumbup:
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- 5,521
I'd be interested in finding out how durable, comfortable and practical the aluminum ones made by Sharp are. They look amazing, so......
Yeah, micarta isn't going to come apart. Its essentially solid resin. The only part that gets "wet" are the fibers at the very outside (fraction of a mm), as all of the others are enclosed/encased in resin.
I like the stock grivory though. I don't wear gloves when I use knives, and I find the texture great (no blisters after prolonged use). Grivory is also dang tough. If I remember right, an old threw is out there where someone destroyed a set with like a 4ft long pipe wrench or something (while they were off the knife). So not indestructible... But more "destruction resistant" than I will ever need.
Micarta is super tough too though. I read a thread on it even I made my first batch, and they tried to destroy spare pieces of their homemade micarta. They smashed it with hammers, shot it, etc. It survived a .38, but the .44 mag broke it.
So yeah, tougher than I need, for either.
Cheers
.
I like the stock grivory though. I don't wear gloves when I use knives, and I find the texture great (no blisters after prolonged use). Grivory is also dang tough. If I remember right, an old threw is out there where someone destroyed a set with like a 4ft long pipe wrench or something (while they were off the knife). So not indestructible... But more "destruction resistant" than I will ever need.
Micarta is super tough too though. I read a thread on it even I made my first batch, and they tried to destroy spare pieces of their homemade micarta. They smashed it with hammers, shot it, etc. It survived a .38, but the .44 mag broke it.
So yeah, tougher than I need, for either.
Cheers
.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2015
- Messages
- 545
Yeah, micarta isn't going to come apart. Its essentially solid resin. The only part that gets "wet" are the fibers at the very outside (fraction of a mm), as all of the others are enclosed/encased in resin.
I like the stock grivory though. I don't wear gloves when I use knives, and I find the texture great (no blisters after prolonged use). Grivory is also dang tough. If I remember right, an old threw is out there where someone destroyed a set with like a 4ft long pipe wrench or something (while they were off the knife). So not indestructible... But more "destruction resistant" than I will ever need.
Micarta is super tough too though. I read a thread on it even I made my first batch, and they tried to destroy spare pieces of their homemade micarta. They smashed it with hammers, shot it, etc. It survived a .38, but the .44 mag broke it.
So yeah, tougher than I need, for either.
Cheers
Thanks very informative
zakjak221
Gold Member
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- Apr 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,971
I don't think you will wear out micarta or G10.
Micarta is more grippy & yes can get stained with blood,sweat & dirt.
But they clean up with dish soap & a brush.
Micarta will also not get as cold to touch as G10 in freezing temps.
Either one should last you a lifetime.
Micarta is more grippy & yes can get stained with blood,sweat & dirt.
But they clean up with dish soap & a brush.
Micarta will also not get as cold to touch as G10 in freezing temps.
Either one should last you a lifetime.
james terrio
Sharpest Knife in the Light Socket
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- Apr 15, 2010
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- 22,618
The thing to remember about "grippy" handles is... you don't need 'em. Becker handles are specifically designed to nestle comfortably and securely into your hand; it really doesn't matter much if they're wet or bloody or heavily-textured or smooth as glass. That's the whole point
With any knife, if you're relying on texture to hold onto it, there's something badly wrong with the handle design in the first place! Good handle design (like Beckers) will almost "lock" the knife into your hand without twisting or slipping, and you won't have to hold on for dear life... poor handle design will make it want to slip out of your control no matter how rough the material is.
The most amusing part of the whole gription thing is, almost all "grippy" handles have the texture on the sides, where your hand is putting very little pressure on it... not along the spine and underside of the tang, where your fingers and the meat of your thumb is actually squeezing on it.
If you really want to get serious about grip and retention, jimp or checker the tang, and replace the hard scales with ones made of neoprene or horse-stall-mat material.
Having said all that, if you just plain like a "grippier" handle, canvas micarta with a fairly coarse finish is hugely popular, for good reason. It's very durable, provides a "warm" feel, and it's not expensive. Yes, it can absorb a little moisture and goop and at least in theory, bacteria on the very surface, but honestly that's not a very big problem. The biggest issue you're going to have with a rough micarta handle is, it will darken and look a little dingy with a lot of use, from sweat and dirt and whatnot. Some will say, that just adds character.
My go-to is G10 for almost all the knives I make or modify, from camp to kitchen. It has all the benefits of micarta, with none of the minor downsides. Plus it's available in more colors. You can leave it rough (220 grit finish) for that warm, "grippy" feel, or polish it very smooth.
The quickest way to add gription and warmth to a stock Becker handle is to slip a "ranger band" (most people use a piece of bike inner tube) over it. Many folks have used skateboard tape and other wraps.
Another option is to stipple it. This looks cool as the other side of the pillow when done carefully, and certainly increases surface area and texxture. There are a bunch of threads here showing how people have done that.
Of course, other materials can also be used, simply for their aesthetic appeal. Many's the person who's built, or had custom scales made for a Becker out of lovely figured wood and other exotic stuff.
Personally, the only mod I made to my BK-16 was to sand the coating off the spine for scraping sparks off a ferro-rod, and put the supplied tan scales on it just because I like the color. I have zero concerns about keeping my grip on it during use, because it was designed properly in the first place :thumbup:
With any knife, if you're relying on texture to hold onto it, there's something badly wrong with the handle design in the first place! Good handle design (like Beckers) will almost "lock" the knife into your hand without twisting or slipping, and you won't have to hold on for dear life... poor handle design will make it want to slip out of your control no matter how rough the material is.
The most amusing part of the whole gription thing is, almost all "grippy" handles have the texture on the sides, where your hand is putting very little pressure on it... not along the spine and underside of the tang, where your fingers and the meat of your thumb is actually squeezing on it.
If you really want to get serious about grip and retention, jimp or checker the tang, and replace the hard scales with ones made of neoprene or horse-stall-mat material.
Having said all that, if you just plain like a "grippier" handle, canvas micarta with a fairly coarse finish is hugely popular, for good reason. It's very durable, provides a "warm" feel, and it's not expensive. Yes, it can absorb a little moisture and goop and at least in theory, bacteria on the very surface, but honestly that's not a very big problem. The biggest issue you're going to have with a rough micarta handle is, it will darken and look a little dingy with a lot of use, from sweat and dirt and whatnot. Some will say, that just adds character.
My go-to is G10 for almost all the knives I make or modify, from camp to kitchen. It has all the benefits of micarta, with none of the minor downsides. Plus it's available in more colors. You can leave it rough (220 grit finish) for that warm, "grippy" feel, or polish it very smooth.
The quickest way to add gription and warmth to a stock Becker handle is to slip a "ranger band" (most people use a piece of bike inner tube) over it. Many folks have used skateboard tape and other wraps.
Another option is to stipple it. This looks cool as the other side of the pillow when done carefully, and certainly increases surface area and texxture. There are a bunch of threads here showing how people have done that.
Of course, other materials can also be used, simply for their aesthetic appeal. Many's the person who's built, or had custom scales made for a Becker out of lovely figured wood and other exotic stuff.
Personally, the only mod I made to my BK-16 was to sand the coating off the spine for scraping sparks off a ferro-rod, and put the supplied tan scales on it just because I like the color. I have zero concerns about keeping my grip on it during use, because it was designed properly in the first place :thumbup:
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