Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

A growing number of collectors customize their automatic knives by changing scales, bolsters, blades, doing fileworks, ... Wether you're a guru or just a wannabe knife modder, this is the place to discuss it!

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LD57
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:08 pm

Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by LD57 »

In progress..
I removed the clear acrylic/faux snake-skin scales
and am replacing them with white camel bone, dyed in a mixture of green tea and coffee.
Long story short: I understand why Bill charges what he
does to work on knives :D .
Still need to do some more sanding and attach the scales.
Not perfect, but an improvement (at least to me).
Many lessons learned, and if the project has not taught
me patience, it has taught me to control my impatience.
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sammy the blade
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by sammy the blade »

Looks good!
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john
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by john »

Looking really good. It’s the final fit and finishing that makes replacing scales look professional. Take your time and it will be worth your effort.
Please post a before photo.
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Jim Malone
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by Jim Malone »

That looks really nice!
LD57
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by LD57 »

Thanks.
Here it is with the old scales. I had already removed the layer of snakeskin under the acrylic scales (printed on vinyl) and cut a layer of plain off-white vinyl. There is a scale pattern embossed in the bottom of the clear acrylic.
It shows up with the plain vinyl layer.
I had already replaced the stainless screws with brass screws.
This version has solid bolsters instead of the stamped ones, which is nice.
Attachments
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LD57
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by LD57 »

BTW..
Am I the only one who didn’t know camel bone STINKS when you try to grind it?? :shock:
I kept the bone wet and used hand tools to limit the smell.
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rock-n-roll$$$$$$
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by rock-n-roll$$$$$$ »

looks good, I did some work with camel bone some time back and yes it does stink.
Tom19176
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by Tom19176 »

Great work !!!
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john
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by john »

Your camel bone scales look fabulous versus the original scales 👍
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LD57
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by LD57 »

Thanks!
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jerryk25
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by jerryk25 »

Big Improvement !
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NorthCarolinaDude
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by NorthCarolinaDude »

Agreed. It's much better looking with those scales. Good design vision!

Peace.
LD57
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by LD57 »

Well, I thought I’d try dyeing the scales… :D
After some brown, blue and red, this is where I ended up.
With all the dunking in hot water and then drying out, the scales shrunk a little.
The front shrunk more than the rear, I think because it has the material removed for the slide button.
I think I’m going to trim the scale ends and add a spacer between the scale and the bolsters.
Attachments
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Killgar
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Re: Chinese Italian-style OTF: new scales

Post by Killgar »

Nice work! I'd say you really classed-up that knife. And I think the handles look better after the dye-job, it really brings out the natural look.
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