Hello BladeForums! I'm pleased to announce today that I will be offering my services making hand-checkered wood scales for knives (and potentially pistol grips as well in the near future!). I've posted a few threads lately displaying my work which were well received by the community so I'm pleased to offer the opportunity to own some very special scales.
Books are temporarily closed!
How I do my work (pic heavy):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kered-walnut-content)-and-formal-introduction
Special thread about my checkering (also pic heavy):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...heckering-your-Skyline-scales-from-an-amateur
I can make scales for any knife, fixed or folding, that does not require extensive milling (i.e. assisted openers generally I cannot do) so if the back side of the scale is smooth across the whole side then I shouldn't have any problem working for you. As shown in the threads above, I usually work with walnut but I am not opposed to making a special order for your favorite kind of wood, just keep in mind that checkering (while more difficult for me) generally comes out better on hard wood and this will take a few extra days. Please understand that fiber materials, particularly glass fiber materials such as G10 will dull my checkering files and as such I do not work with these materials. I will require that you send me your knife so I can match the scales as closely as possible. You can rest assured that your favorite knives are safe with me.
Fitment is generally 95% or better, but as I do all the work by freehand, there may be some variance. I consider my finishes and checkering to be of even higher quality.
I offer two standard classes of service for typical knives with two scales: Class 1: both sides checkered, or Class 2: your choice of side checkered, the other side smooth. Of course I will also work on knives such as frame locks with one scale. You can see examples of the difference between classes below that I did for my own Kershaw Skyline as well as one I did for a relative recently. If you have an idea of something you would like differently for your project please don't hesitate to ask me!
If you know about checkering or have done it yourself you know it is incredibly time consuming and a true art with few people caring to do it by hand anymore (look at your gun, the checkering is probably pressed in!). As such, price will vary slightly depending on the size of your knife mainly depending on the amount of checkering involved. Please PM me here for a quote for your project and to sign up for service. I can finish one or two projects per week depending on the classes of service selected. I will take two or three orders at a time, opening and closing ordering periods as I fill current orders and take more. Keep an eye on this thread for when order slots open up! I will post that I am taking more orders and when books close. Of course, slots are first come, first serve. Thank you very much for your interest!
As promised, a few example photos
My personal EDC with Class 1 treatment. This was my first presentable set (Note ZT clip is only offered if you send me a clip)
A Class 2 project, as my most recent job, these scales most accurately demonstrate my skills
Thanks again everyone
--Luke
Books are temporarily closed!
How I do my work (pic heavy):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...kered-walnut-content)-and-formal-introduction
Special thread about my checkering (also pic heavy):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...heckering-your-Skyline-scales-from-an-amateur
I can make scales for any knife, fixed or folding, that does not require extensive milling (i.e. assisted openers generally I cannot do) so if the back side of the scale is smooth across the whole side then I shouldn't have any problem working for you. As shown in the threads above, I usually work with walnut but I am not opposed to making a special order for your favorite kind of wood, just keep in mind that checkering (while more difficult for me) generally comes out better on hard wood and this will take a few extra days. Please understand that fiber materials, particularly glass fiber materials such as G10 will dull my checkering files and as such I do not work with these materials. I will require that you send me your knife so I can match the scales as closely as possible. You can rest assured that your favorite knives are safe with me.
Fitment is generally 95% or better, but as I do all the work by freehand, there may be some variance. I consider my finishes and checkering to be of even higher quality. I offer two standard classes of service for typical knives with two scales: Class 1: both sides checkered, or Class 2: your choice of side checkered, the other side smooth. Of course I will also work on knives such as frame locks with one scale. You can see examples of the difference between classes below that I did for my own Kershaw Skyline as well as one I did for a relative recently. If you have an idea of something you would like differently for your project please don't hesitate to ask me!
If you know about checkering or have done it yourself you know it is incredibly time consuming and a true art with few people caring to do it by hand anymore (look at your gun, the checkering is probably pressed in!). As such, price will vary slightly depending on the size of your knife mainly depending on the amount of checkering involved. Please PM me here for a quote for your project and to sign up for service. I can finish one or two projects per week depending on the classes of service selected. I will take two or three orders at a time, opening and closing ordering periods as I fill current orders and take more. Keep an eye on this thread for when order slots open up! I will post that I am taking more orders and when books close. Of course, slots are first come, first serve. Thank you very much for your interest!
As promised, a few example photos
My personal EDC with Class 1 treatment. This was my first presentable set (Note ZT clip is only offered if you send me a clip)
A Class 2 project, as my most recent job, these scales most accurately demonstrate my skills
Thanks again everyone
--Luke
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