Carbon Fiber Scales

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

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Nov 23, 2005
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Hey all you Spyderco fans.
I have a Sage I as an EDC and trust me, this baby gets used. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this knife!
Over the years the scales have smoothed somewhat and I thought I ask those that know if anybody has ever done anything to get that, new carbon fiber grip feeling back? You know, that feeling they have when you first pull them out of the box.
Not necessarily that smell, but that feel.
BTW, I have a Sage II for those dressy times. :thumbsup: (did I mention. I like the Sage?)
 
I've never yet owned a SAGE model because I like the NATIVE so much I tend to stay with it. I'm thinking that your SAGE model probably has the "peel ply" type of Carbon Fiber? If so I find it kind of strange that it got smoother over time.

A lot of people didn't like the first generation of Carbon Fiber that Spyderco used between 2001 and 2004. But I got used it and I wish I had my HARPY model back that had that early CF handle material. But I will admit that my all time favorite HARPY was the G-10 version.
 
I have a sage 3 cfbap. Love the ergo of it. Being I have cf overlay g10 it hasnt shown any wear on the scale/handle. Being carbon fiber you could probably coat it with some type of lacquer or something to that extent. But I feel you on the sage. Once I saw it and the story begind what spyderco was doing I couldn't keep my hands off. I'm usually a ZT guy. But I've got spydies now
 
Iirc the sage models were g10 with a layer of carbonfiber and peel ply texture on the outsides. They are not cf all the way.

I have not tried to get this back before, it's probably not possible without milling the scales with cnc like this http://danielgoodwyn.com/web/bisonknives/photos/0008A.jpg

You could take a dremel to it and get some more grip in that way. But, not idea unless you know what your doing and how you want to contour them. Maybe like this https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/...palted_1_d1cdfe06c8016b1e2494acaebf987823.jpg

Or find some new scales or have some made with the texture your looking for. Iirc USA Knife Maker sells peel ply g10 and at some point they had peel ply cf (not the overlay stuff). Just would need to find someone to make them.
https://usaknifemaker.com/g10-peel-ply-medium-black-1-8-knife-handle-material.html
Some of the cf plate makers do glossy or matt on one side and peelply on the other. If you need I can find a maker that can do that and let you know.
 
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That was my next option is to find a replacement scale. I believe the sage 1 has an open frame design. So you could most likely replace them alot easier or mill them with something. I forgot it's a different style of overlay on that model. I'm actually somewhat looking at selling mine. The bolt lock sage 3 is hard to find although it's not the g10 only blue. I have benchmade knives that use that style lock and I kinda like it better than a frame lock. Still need to tru the RSI lock....but good luck on the sage parts aren't that easy to come by I know that. Maybe try spyderco?!?!!
 
Let me correct myself there I havent had an integral locking knife yet. Believe it's the RIL(completely off subject).
 
I'm not quite sure if this would work but it's just a thought.

With the carbon fiber I've had on various vehicles it requires a certain amount of upkeep to stay nice. As LIGHT wash and dry the treat with a type of wax. I found that a clay bar works extremely well as it pulls all the crap out. Over time skin oil and such has made it's way in and gave it that smooth feeling. So it might be worth a shot.
 
Hey I got a question to ask you guys who really live Carbon Fiber over any other handle or maybe you consider CF one of your top 3 favorites. My ultimate question being this: What advantages do you think Carbon Fiber has over G-10 for instance? Or why does Carbon Fiber stand out so well in your opinion based on all the handle materials available.
Personally myself I've come to the conclusion that G-10 is my favorite going forward. But I'm willing to listen to anyone making a case for Carbon Fiber.
 
JD Spydo said:
Hey I got a question to ask you guys who really live Carbon Fiber over any other handle or maybe you consider CF one of your top 3 favorites. My ultimate question being this: What advantages do you think Carbon Fiber has over G-10 for instance? Or why does Carbon Fiber stand out so well in your opinion based on all the handle materials available.
Personally myself I've come to the conclusion that G-10 is my favorite going forward. But I'm willing to listen to anyone making a case for Carbon Fiber.
Click to expand...

Hi JD,

next to knives, I've used CF on car/bike and in rifle stocks. Also used "fiber glass" on those applications. Besides cosmetics, they are functionally pretty close. CF is a little "harder"/more brittle, while G10 is more elastic. CF is lighter, too. So, if you want a knife to be stiffer (more consistent blade centering over time, for example), CF is the better choice.

Note that sanding either needs to be done with the same pre-cautions.

Sometimes it's not obvious what is what. For example, I have two Aramis scale'd Militaries, one in black CF, the other one in "Silver twill"; both knives look gorgeous, and basically identical, except for color. However, the Silver twill version is 10g heavier, because Silver twill is basically a prettier version of G10. In the world of LW this and LW that, the weight difference might matter to some.

Not sure if this helps,

Roland.
 
For me, I like the look. Something about it makes me feel all giddy!

Other than that, I'm perfectly fine with G10, especially the G10 on Colorado spydercos. Feels similar to CF, just not as cool.

But I really love the feel of my ZT 0770cf. All CF scales, very light and just feels right.
 
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