Wood, or Micarta?

A

acerpower

Joined
Apr 27, 2013
Messages
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I'd like to ditch the grivory scales on my BK2 and I'm considering either the Becker micarta scales, or making my own custom wooden scales.
What I'd really like is some custom G10 scales, but that's way out of the price range.
$40 for the micarta scales is kind of pushing it for me.
Wood would look better if I were to strip the stock black finish, which I don't want to do until I wear most of it off through use.
But making wooden scales wouldn't be a problem since I already have the wood working machinery, so my only cost would be the hardwood.

I guess what I'm really asking is if the micarta scales are worth the price, or should I take the less expensive rout and end up with something unique.
I prefer micarta, but the money I save could go towards another blade, like a 9.
 
The Becker micarta scales are very nice. OTOH, custom made wood scales are very cool too. What kind of wood are you thinking of using?
 
The micarta is totally worth it.
Just remember, you get one set, you will never be able to use grivory again. Lol.
Wood would be nice too I just don't know how it would compare to micarta.
I say make some wood ones, save up and then order another becker and get the micarta with that one.
Then you have two nice options.

I have bought three used beckers that came with micarta for a lot cheaper than the regular knife. Deals are out there if you are patient and check the exchange and that auction site.

Pictures mandatory if you make some!
 
I'm not sure, Bubinga might look nice.
Or I could take the free rout and use some cherry that my mother in-law has in her garage.
But, I'm leaning more towards an exotic wood.

Micarta would probably give a better grip, but on the other hand my other wooden handle knifes never gave me a problem with grip.
 
Dexwithers said:
The micarta is totally worth it.
Just remember, you get one set, you will never be able to use grivory again. Lol.
Wood would be nice too I just don't know how it would compare to micarta.
I say make some wood ones, save up and then order another becker and get the micarta with that one.
Then you have two nice options.


I have bought three used beckers that came with micarta for a lot cheaper than the regular knife. Deals are out there if you are patient and check the exchange and that auction site.

Pictures mandatory if you make some!
Click to expand...

Waiting for a deal might just be the best option.
I guess if I make my own and save my money for a 9, then later find a deal on micarta I'd end up with a spare set to replace the grivory scales on the 9.

I'm looking at exotic hardwood now on Ebay.
 
acerpower said:
Waiting for a deal might just be the best option.
I guess if I make my own and save my money for a 9, then later find a deal on micarta I'd end up with a spare set to replace the grivory scales on the 9.

I'm looking at exotic hardwood now on Ebay.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan to me.

And if you are handy and like to make stuff, which sounds like you are, try making your own micarta scales. My first set was some crash-carta I made. Very simple to do, just messy stuff to work with. YouTube helped me get started.

Good luck.
 
The cost of the micarta seems steep to me as well...why not make the wood ones? That's what I'm planning - shorts of exotic woods are pretty cheap and scales don't use a lot of wood. I picked up some black walnut that even has a little quilt figure for about 7 bucks that's enough wood to make more than a dozen pairs of scales. I am also thinking wood for customization; my BK2 grip is too chunky for me, and I'd be hesitant to go at a $40 pair of scales with a Dremel...I say make your own and make the knife your own.
 
Chameleonbear said:
You can also check out TommyTheWho. He makes some REALLY nice hardwood scales.
Click to expand...

I've seen his work and it's definitely beautiful, but if I'm going to splurge on scales I'd probably just buy the micarta.

I'm pretty confident that I could pull of making some decent wooden scales.
I use to make a living as a woodworker, and I just inherited my father's wood working machinery.
Although I'd probably only need the bandsaw, drill press, and a belt sander, or balloon sander.
Suppose the hardest part would be the hex shaped holes for the nuts, but with some time a patience I should be able to pull it off.
If I screw it up at least I'll have fun trying.
 
No woodcraft near me.
There's some lumber yards around that sell nice hardwood, but since I need such a small amount for scales I don't want to buy too much more than I need.

It's a shame since my father has quite a bit of hardwood scraps in his shop. I know I saw walnut, mahogany, and teak.
But this is back in Massachusetts, and I live in Minnesota.
I had to buy a trailer to bring his machinery back and I didn't have the space for wood, I had to leave some of his machinery behind because of space.
It's all still there for me but I'm not taking another trip back east anytime soon.

I've been looking at Ebay for exotic wood, but I might even make some cherry ones since I can get that free.
 
If you have the tools to make wood scales, why not buy a slab of Micarta and make those?
I have worked with both and each was basically the same, granted Micarta takes longer to sand and was harder to cut but I used the same tools.

Here is one project, I bought a beater Busse Sarsquach for very cheep by posting in the want to buy forum.
This is how she looked.


After a little elbow grease


Here is a $5.00 Harbor Freight Machete (That came with rubber handle) and my .44 Virginian Dragoon with matching wood handles. I'm not positive what kind of wood I used but it was very heavy and dense, it was almost as hard as the Micarta! I got it for free in a pile of scraps at a cabinet shop.

 
I definitely say make your own---I can only imagine the satisfaction you would feel every time you held it in your hand---plus its just so much more personal for you--I have seen quite a few nice looking 2s that had woods scales and the coating and looked amazing--it seems the hard woods with red in them really look awesome with the coating (and without so its a plus)---My grandfather was making some handles for me out of some dymondwood I gave him--The woods was pretty knotty and on his last pass with the router one of them busted---I was pretty bummed, but he made some out of walnut (which I am a huge fan of)--I am going to take a trip to visit him this weekend and pick them up---pics soon
 
I thought about trying to work with micarta but I figured it would be very tricky making the hex shaped holes.
Of coarse I could always use different fasteners, but I'm partial the socket screws and nuts.
I was even looking at bone and buffalo horn, but wood would be the easiest to work with.

I suppose if I make a nice wood set and later try to make another set from another material I could always just give the wood scales away.
Any excuse to use my dad's tools and machinery is always a good thing. I'm sure he would have enjoyed it too.
 
I personally prefer Micarta over wood. To each their own I guess. Some good eye candy in favor of the wood so far, but I still like the grip in the other direction.
 
I'd suggest doing what Dexwithers suggested...That's how I've been acquiring my Ka-Bar micarta.
 
Go to the hardwood dealer an see what they have for shorts and cutoffs - scales are so small and you never know what might strike your fancy. Take your scales with you and tell them what you're looking for and what you're doing - might find a free piece of Cocobolo in your hands. Can't hurt to look and really get a feel for what you'll be making them from. Plus, you're a woodworker and there's, ya know, all that wood.
 
I myself am a fan of the micarta. That's pretty hard to say with all the great pictures here of the wood handles. I'm also in Minnesota and travel south to the concrete jungle from time to time and have the micarta on my bk2 if its something you would like to see first hand.
 
I would suggest a variety of scales on your knives. Some of my Beckers have stock handles, a few micarta, and a few wood. I like them all and to me variety is a nice thing. Follow your heart!
 
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