Adding scales to your knife can add a personal touch and unique style. There are many different types of scales available in a variety of materials to suit your tastes.
One of the most common is stabilized wood handles with brass or micarta pins. Others are made from alumilite casting resin.
Materials
Before you can even begin making custom scales for your swiss army knife, you must have the proper materials. There are many types of materials that can be used to make these scales, including natural woods, plastics, bone, metals, and man-made composites such as Micarta.
Using these materials requires precision, skill, and care. You must ensure that the blade will not be damaged in any way during the process of forming and shaping your custom knife handle.
For this reason, you should use a sharp and sturdy jigsaw or bandsaw. You want to cut these scales out in a straight and precise fashion so that they are flat and will not mar the blade and tang when assembled.
Once the scales are shaped and cut out, it is time to drill holes for pins or rivets. This is done to attach the handle to the knife’s tang. Afterwards, you can sand them to a smooth finish.
Cutting
The Swiss Army knife, first made by Karl Elsener in 1891, has become a cultural icon of Switzerland. It’s a compact, versatile tool that can help you with anything from opening canned food to disassembling a rifle.
Originally designed for the military, it became popular with soldiers because it was lightweight and easy to carry. Today, it’s one of the most iconic pocket knives on the market and a staple of any backpack or gear bag.
To make your own custom scales for your swiss army knife, you’ll need to follow a few steps. First, you’ll need to cut your wood blanks slightly oversize and allow them to dry out in a warm, dry place. After that, you’ll need to use a stabilizing product called Catus Juice or a polyurethane recipe mixed with paint thinner to prevent shrinking and cracking of the wood. Once the wood is stabilized, you can attach it to your knife.
Drilling
Swiss Army knives are multi-tools that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are a great addition to any emergency kit or toolkit, and can be found in most stores.
In fact, they are a popular item on TV shows like MacGyver. They are also a staple of many camping supplies kits and backpacks.
Generally, they come with a knife, saw, scissors, ruler, bottle opener, scale scraper, puncher, Phillips screwdriver, hook releaser, nail file, needle threader and can opener.
They may also come with additional tools, such as a clock/alarm/timer or a corkscrew. These tools can be helpful when you’re not sure what to do next, and can save you time if something goes wrong.
Some of these tools are even small enough to fit in your pocket, making them a perfect EDC multi-tool. This makes them an ideal choice for any situation, whether you’re camping or just need a handy survival tool.
Assembly
The assembly process is a way of making a product where the different parts or materials are added together in a sequence. The finished product is then ready for use.
Custom knife scales are made from a variety of materials, including stabilized wood, brass, micarta and alumilite. They are usually sanded and shaped to fit the knife’s handle and blade.
After the scales are cut, the first side is glued in place and pin holes are drilled through all three pieces. If bolsters are used, press the material firmly against the bolster before clamping.
Next, epoxy the second side into position. Make sure the pin holes are square to each other and to the tang of the knife.
After the epoxy is dry, it’s time to sand the scales flush with the knife and shape them how you like them. This can be done by hand or using a sanding machine. Be careful not to sand too much.