why is this so hard ??

T

tramp775

Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
50
Why is it so hard to find & buy custom scales for knives ? Why when I do a google search for custom knife scales/handles, does not two or three web sites come up? If I look for custom sheaths thay do if I look for custom made knives thay do why not scales ? I know someone out there can do this. Some honest , knife loving craftsman can do this. This can't be that hard !
After two weeks and lots of emails, I still can't. Get this done. I think the last person I delt with is ripping me off but not for sure yet. Kinda looks that way.
I had a custom kydex sheath made by grizzly outdoors & that turned out just super. He did a great job, fast, good price. NO PROBLEM ! Why can't getting a set of scales be just as easy ? :confused:
 
Wood. Sorry should have said that. For me anyway. But for other people maybe somthing else. Why can't a custom scale maker make scales out of all kinds of stuff. But for me, right now, wood.
 
Its probably because of the amount of time and energy that goes into the handles (since its pretty much all by hand) makes the cost more than people want to spend. And your are right, its not that hard so everyone makes their own. You can always check the bay. I have seen some there. Or you can make your own for a fraction of the cost.
 
I would love to make my own but like a lot of other folks, no time, don't have the right tools can't find the right size wood in the type your looking for & not that good of a craftsman. I would rather spend a fair amount FAIR ! For a set of scales that fit look great & would be much better & faster than I could ever do.
 
There are all kinds of slab makers on here. Check out TommyTheWho for wood, or K9-Handler for some other kind... I don't rightly know what his are made of, but I hear they are the cat's pajamas.
 
Ill check out k9. Talking to t.t.w. now. Thanks all. Guess I'm just alittle frustrated ouve these damn scales. I'm over thinking this right ?
 
I suppose that it depends on what people consider a 'fair' price for scales. Unless someone has the needed machinery to produce them in volume it is often not worth the time and materials to spend several hours of work to charge 35-40 for a pair of hand fitted scales. From a manufacturers standpoint, I know I sure as heck am not working 3-4 hours for 25 bucks in profit after materials and shipping costs.
 
What do you think is fair ? The going rate is 40 bucks or so. If the going rate was say 60 would that be fair ? Fair is what someone is willing to pay and what someone is willing to make them for.
I think once a maker has the tools and machinery set up to do this work , then maybe the price goes down some.
 
Tell ya what. You buy the scales and pay shipping, and I'll make em for you on the cheap, if TTW can't hook you up, assuming you're wanting a set for a Becker.
 
tramp775 said:
What do you think is fair ? The going rate is 40 bucks or so. If the going rate was say 60 would that be fair ? Fair is what someone is willing to pay and what someone is willing to make them for.
I think once a maker has the tools and machinery set up to do this work , then maybe the price goes down some.
Click to expand...

$40 is fair for a set of handmade scales...Handmade too, not "Yeah, I knocked off the edges in 2 seconds with a router". $60?...They using something a little more expensive or are physically working these down by hand with a file? I agree with you on the machinery and time part, if a maker is putting in less time and energy they should lower their prices a bit.
 
I think your missinng the point,, its not price. Its accsess. If we all knew that thay were $ 60 a set for a bk ?? That would be the norm & thus be fair. My point is do a google search for them and see if you find a web site like,, grizzly outdoors or godspell or ?? For knife scales. To me, I found a few videos but no real web site to see some of the work, diff. Wood, pics. A way to order, nothing ! I have had to hunt down folks, send lots of emails & hope thay return them and hope I don't get taken. For all us becker lovers, there has got to be a better way. I'm just saying.
 
It would be difficult to turn out scales full time and be able to live on that. Even if you did esee and other removable scales, you'd have to supplement with something else. Most places that do them are hobbyists or part time into it just to make some side money. If you want wood scales, take up CrimsonFalcon on his offer or get ahold of tommythewho.
 
tramp775 said:
I think your missinng the point,, its not price. Its accsess. If we all knew that thay were $ 60 a set for a bk ?? That would be the norm & thus be fair. My point is do a google search for them and see if you find a web site like,, grizzly outdoors or godspell or ?? For knife scales. To me, I found a few videos but no real web site to see some of the work, diff. Wood, pics. A way to order, nothing ! I have had to hunt down folks, send lots of emails & hope thay return them and hope I don't get taken. For all us becker lovers, there has got to be a better way. I'm just saying.
Click to expand...

Nope, I think I get your point pretty clearly...I replied to your second question not your OP. In response to that I agree with Skystorm and Nate, just isnt worth the trouble for some to come back with next to nothing after several hours of hard work. I could make scales, made lots before but to keep them at a fair price of $40 after you factor in materials I'd come home with about $5 earnt...Like hell I'm doing that.
 
I know what your saying & I agree. You can't turn out scales full time for that.so what do you think someone could do it for ? I mean, if it were say 25 bucks a set over cost could it be done for that & be fair ?
 
Honestly its not terribly hard considering beckers bolts. Buy some g10 or micarta from usa knife maker, i would say 1/4 but 3/8 would be good too. Take your stock scales and trace them on your material, cut out with a hack saw, shape with wood rasps and files then sand to a grit you like. No respirator needed if you go slow and use hand tools. And the tools I just described most have. As for drilling holes in the scales you already have a template, your becker handle, line her up, drill, done.

So you have what $12-15 dollars and you learn a valuable skill.
 
One day , tin.man , one day. Till thin the search goes on. Thanks to all who posted. This was fun.
 
Basically, there's no profit in making custom one-off scales for other people's knives. If it was so easy, everyone would make their own :)

You could always post in Services Wanted subforum if you haven't found someone yet. People looking to make a name for themselves look there often for that sort of work. A lot of us got our start with jobs like that.

CamH_16 said:
I agree with you on the machinery and time part, if a maker is putting in less time and energy they should lower their prices a bit.
Click to expand...
As a maker's skill and demand increase, he should lower his prices? Materials, belts, epoxy, sandpaper, electricity, all increase in price pretty much every year. Not to mention stuff like groceries and beer!
 
And, wood aint cheap. That's why I said I'd help you out if you buy the wood you want. The stabilized stuff that the pros use is expensive. Can run 60 or more just for a set of unworked scales. Kydex, in contrast, is pretty inexpensive stuff. Frankly, depending on the type of wood, 60 bucks could be less than cost. Even cheaper exotics are still going to be pretty pricy, just on materials cost. I mean, if you just want something dirt cheap like pine or oak or something, it won't be that bad. But exotics are expensive, and stabilized exotics even more so.
 
I think about the only way you would be able to produce scales, and make a profit is to use a CNC router. There are just too many tolerances to get exactly right everytime, on every scale if you are doing it by hand. If you do your research, you can have a ready to run CNC router for less than $1500. Which is not a bad price considering what you can all do with it.

You've found a nearly untapped market Tramp775, now go get your foot in the door and dominate the market with your own custom scales. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top