That jeweling looks great too. We used to use those on the bolts in our bolt action rifles. I've had a few knives with jeweled liners and they really do look nice.

The two biggest problems I've seen arise out of trying to make Axis handles has been either leaving the area around the buttons too thick so you can't grip them, or having the handles break near the slot because it is so thin. Maybe some of the high tech materials like CF have their own issues. I don't really know why it is so hard getting handles made, but it has been. I even posted a thread on this forum asking if anyone knew anyone who could make them and it produced zero useful results.

I have no idea why it's so difficult. Believe me - I don't possess any magical or particularly great skills in this area (other than a willingness to give things a try even if they don't work out well). Perhaps it's different if you're making them for $$$ and you don't want to spend extra time if things get screwed up. The axis lock definitely does add more time to the process. To be honest, I don't see how anyone makes money doing custom scales. The amount of time that goes into it is so high I just don't see anyone being willing to really pay for it (at least for what I think my own time is worth). Perhaps they're just a lot faster than I am...

I've done rescales on four different axis locks now without any defects. Carbon fiber slabs for an 710 and 806, amboyna burl for a 730, and the ironwood 525. I use a 1/8" diameter router bit to mill out the axis recess by hand - it wasn't overly difficult but it does require some care.

i love your scales !!!!!!
congrats ! that's a wonderfull work !

TD, I'm sure the patience you employ is a big part of your success. If I was ever going to try making a set, I would think G-10 would be a good place to start. It seems like it would be very forgiving...even though I've heard that you shouldn't breath the G-10 dust.

I've always preferred the G-10, CF and Micarta handles. I guess that thinking comes from all of my synthetic gun stocks and how they've out performed and replaced their wooden counterparts over the years. Of course, nothing is as beautiful as wood, but the functionality of the others is their true beauty.

so nice very impressive

Beautiful work, personalized and very classy!

quote:

Originally posted by fastjan:
TD, I'm sure the patience you employ is a big part of your success. If I was ever going to try making a set, I would think G-10 would be a good place to start. It seems like it would be very forgiving...even though I've heard that you shouldn't breath the G-10 dust.

I've always preferred the G-10, CF and Micarta handles. I guess that thinking comes from all of my synthetic gun stocks and how they've out performed and replaced their wooden counterparts over the years. Of course, nothing is as beautiful as wood, but the functionality of the others is their true beauty.

Agreed - but I can buy regular knives w/ those materials now so I don't feel any need to do them myself. The wood handles are great for dress and office knives that don't see a lot of use.

If you ever decide to make your own scales (and you really should) and want some tips, just let me know...

Thanks. I may just do that.

Awesome. I've been waiting to see the pic of the 525 with the gold hardware. Glad I could pass it along to you. The 525 looks absolutely fantastic! They both do, but I'm jsut a sucker for the 525's

quote:

Originally posted by TD22057:

quote:

Originally posted by fastjan:
TD, I'm sure the patience you employ is a big part of your success. If I was ever going to try making a set, I would think G-10 would be a good place to start. It seems like it would be very forgiving...even though I've heard that you shouldn't breath the G-10 dust.

I've always preferred the G-10, CF and Micarta handles. I guess that thinking comes from all of my synthetic gun stocks and how they've out performed and replaced their wooden counterparts over the years. Of course, nothing is as beautiful as wood, but the functionality of the others is their true beauty.

Agreed - but I can buy regular knives w/ those materials now so I don't feel any need to do them myself. The wood handles are great for dress and office knives that don't see a lot of use.

If you ever decide to make your own scales (and you really should) and want some tips, just let me know...

I need to keep you in mind for cooler months. I'm trying to make my own "micarta" so I can make some black/green or green/tan scales for my mini-Grip and denim scales for my mini-AFCK. I might even try to add some bocote wood inlays to my 806-901's scales, or make some CF scales for it.

I'll definitely need to hit you up on tips and ideas when the time comes.