Zytel BK14 handles

[Arkanian]

What everybody said already, they kick serious butt.

 

[losvedese]

I found this: http://somanyhobbies.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/making-ka-bar-bk14-knife-scales/ ; really makes me want to try. What tickness the scales should have?

 

[Geektechnica]

I tried the Zytel scales for the 14, but I'm not really a big fan, I like having the ring at the bottom open.

I went for the Izula micarta instead, and feel it gives all the same benefits, plus having access to the ring:

 

[SaturatedShadow]

I highly recommend the zytel scales.

As has already been stated, they completely transform the knife from a neck knife to a small bushcrafter. With the zytel scales, I think the Eskabar is just as capable as the tweeners.

 

[Saymon]

RIT dye, you ask?

I used concentrated Dark Green RIT dye mixed from powder on my orange zytel scales, here's how they turned out:

Keep in mind though that I wanted to get these closer to green. They ended up being more like a smoky purple or something. I actually love them, turned out to be a happy accident, but keep that in mind heh. I could've used more diluted dye or left them in for less time to have a less dramatic effect, didn't know at the time.

Tip: Make sure you wipe down the scales with rubbing alcohol before dying so that you don't leave any oils from your fingers or whatever on the scales. It will make them dye unevenly. Have fun!

Thanks for share the process! Was very nice!!!

 

[Adri4n]

Nsvens89, nice work on the handles from the tweener scales, did you also make some mods to the blade? Just looks slightly different

 

[Murphnuge]

It's a 100% different knife. Seriously, my woman has had a BK14 for over a year and saw mine with zytel handles just recently. She had no idea it was the same knife. Now she wants the handles and a Godspeed neck sheath. At least it ain't diamonds!

 

[Nsvens89]

Nsvens89, nice work on the handles from the tweener scales, did you also make some mods to the blade? Just looks slightly different

Thanks, Yup I sure did modify the blade. I had two 14's so I decided to take one to the grinder. I smoothed out the spine so it was a more gradual slope to the handle instead of the more drastic drop point then I also put a swedge on it. I love the feel of scales on the 14, cord wraps are too soft for me.

 

[Doubledee]

I've been carrying my 14 with the orange handles a lot more than either of my 11's at work lately for two main reasons; 1. the orange handles make it look more like a tool than what some would consider a weapon; 2. I find the zytel handles make the 14 easier to grasp and manipulate when opening or breaking down cardboard boxes and whatever other daily chores I use it to accomplish ...

 

[losvedese]

Thanks, Yup I sure did modify the blade. I had two 14's so I decided to take one to the grinder. I smoothed out the spine so it was a more gradual slope to the handle instead of the more drastic drop point then I also put a swedge on it. I love the feel of scales on the 14, cord wraps are too soft for me.

Can you post some pics, please?

 

[Galeocerdoshark]

I can concur on what everybody else has said. The handles are great at improving the ergonomics. For the low cost, a must buy

 

[chuckinohio]

Thanks for the pics of the RIT dyed zytel Rogue.
I'm going to try some Dark Red on my orange 14 scales tonight and see what I get.
I'm pondering trying it on the brown tweener scales also, hoping for a dark reddish brown perhaps??

 

[TheGoldenWalrus]

just ordered the scales, should be here by Thursday or so. cant wait

 

[Nsvens89]

Can you post some pics, please?

Here is my thread on it. There are some more pictures in the there. I don't want to cloud up this one with off topic stuff Customized BK14

Thanks for the pics of the RIT dyed zytel Rogue.
I'm going to try some Dark Red on my orange 14 scales tonight and see what I get.
I'm pondering trying it on the brown tweener scales also, hoping for a dark reddish brown perhaps??

Heads up when I tried to dye mine a darker brown using "dark brown" RIT liquid dye they came out with a green hue to them so you might not want to use a brown if your desired result is brown.

 

[chuckinohio]

Thanks for the heads up on the Brown.

What was your soak time for the color change?

 

[filedog]

RIT dye, you ask?

I used concentrated Dark Green RIT dye mixed from powder on my orange zytel scales, here's how they turned out:

Keep in mind though that I wanted to get these closer to green. They ended up being more like a smoky purple or something. I actually love them, turned out to be a happy accident, but keep that in mind heh. I could've used more diluted dye or left them in for less time to have a less dramatic effect, didn't know at the time.

Tip: Make sure you wipe down the scales with rubbing alcohol before dying so that you don't leave any oils from your fingers or whatever on the scales. It will make them dye unevenly. Have fun!

Nice work! Looks more like brown from here. Anyway, I like it better than either stock color.

 

[Nsvens89]

Thanks for the heads up on the Brown.

What was your soak time for the color change?

I wasn't really keeping close watch on it but if i were to guess i would say between 30 to 45 min. I kept checking it every once in a while. It seemed like once it started to take the color it took it rather quickly, if that makes any sense (at the end of the soak it was getting darker quicker than at the beginning) I would keep a close eye on it.

Here is a pic of how it came out.

 

[chuckinohio]

Here's the result-

Used Rit Scarlet, approx 1/4 of the bottle of liquid dye and a cup of water,
Soaked for 1 hour reheating solution every 20 minutes.

Came out as a rust color, which suits me fine as it tones down the blazin orange that wasn't necessarily my cup O tea.

 

[chuckinohio]

Dipped a tweener also-

Same solution as above.
Soaked for 30 minutes to get a chocolate color compared to the lighter tan of the original scales.

 

[worldwood]

Here is my thread on it. There are some more pictures in the there. I don't want to cloud up this one with off topic stuff Customized BK14





Heads up when I tried to dye mine a darker brown using "dark brown" RIT liquid dye they came out with a green hue to them so you might not want to use a brown if your desired result is brown.

great id want green prefferably dark green so this might be perfect! do you have a picture of the one that came out with the green hue?

And nice chuck! it almost looks like real wood.