OK - there aren't really any bears here...

Here are two of my custom scaled semi-gold class knives. They both went through some trials and tribulations to get to this point but I'm really happy with the outcome.

The 525 started as a stock 525. I bought the gold class blade from a member here and made the desert ironwood scales for it. I painted the stock hardware a copper color and the liners and clip a black metallic. The painted elements never looked as good as they should though. And - the knife kept locking up and was hard to open. I would add a drop of Militec-1 and it would work great - a week later and it would be stuck again. Thankfully, I was able to buy the gold class hardware that went w/ the blade (thanks Jamie) so I stripped the paint off everything and put it back together. It turns out that Militec-1 plus paint equals glue! The lube had liquefied the paint and turned it into a sticky mess. Thankfully it all came off easily and you can see the results below.

I picked the 670-701 here as well (thanks Rx). Whoever assembled this one at BM was having a bad day though. The head of one of the clip screws broke off, one of the backspacer screws was totally cross threaded, and the blade was exceptionally difficult to open. I was able to drill out broken clip screw and only the screw was hosed, not the pin it's threaded into on the backspacer so that was easy to replace. The opening problem turned out to be that the ball detent wasn't pressed in far enough - I was able to hit it a few times with a punch (moved it 0.005") and now it opens just like it should. I just finished the snake wood scales and they turned out great. If you have a 670, you might notice that I removed the two extra screws through the middle of the scales - less hardware is a plus in my book.

I carry the 525 a lot to work - now I can choose between two great looking knives. No finish on either of them either - just sanding and polishing. Enjoy...

extremely beautiful stuff! You Sir are talented. I love your 730 as well. To say the least your wood scales gives me wood.

Excellent work, thanks for the pics.

You have got a great talent there, Very Nice!!!

very nice work my friend

Great work!
Can't believe it's the same 670 I used to have! Both look great!!!

Heck ya, TD! If those 525 handles look as good in person as they do in the picture, that puts you in a pretty select group. There are lots of guys making all kinds of handles, but I only know of about 5 that have ever made a perfectly functioning Axis handle with factory quality fit and finish. Don't get me wrong, I'm no authority on handle makers, and I'm not one of the the five. For all I know, there could be hundreds who have made perfect Axis handles. All I'm saying is that for years I have tried to find them and you just became the fifth on my list.

Thanks everyone.

fastjan - I can't believe it's that difficult. I'd be happy to share what my technique is - it isn't that hard to make the axis work with the right tools - just a few more steps.

I just ordered a jeweling (damscening) tool from Brownells to jewel the liners. I'm also thinking about jeweling the bolsters and the clip on the 670 - something like this:

Jeweled bolsters

Beautiful work, bud.

Hopefully you take it as a complement but for some reason I thought Dozier folder when I saw it. Niiiiice work!