Hey Everyone,
Thank you for the kind words on the Izula, it was fun to make. Since a few have asked how I made the scales, I shot some pics of my little shop with some rough how to pics. First thing to note, is that I make small runs of Kydex holsters, mag carriers, and sheaths for civilian, LE and military groups...so that's why i have some shop tools.
I used 1/4 inch black G10 and traced out the shape of the Esee scales.
Then I used my bandsaw to cut out the shape. Remember to cut a little wider than what you trace out, so that you can have room for shaping or errors.
You will also need a metal cutting blade because G10 is almost like stone. Look at all of the dust everywhere. (And use a mask, eye pro when cutting
and shaping). The shaping wasn't that hard to do. You need to clamp down the scale to the edge of a flat surface, and get a scrap piece to practice getting your pattern down..
Then using the Dermal tool sand the scale edges with a small drum sander at about a 45 degree angle back and forth. You'll start to get the sculpted shape...continue all around the scale.
The Right side scale didn't turn out a nice as the left side...It's my first attempt.
This next part took a little time. Like you see the orange inserts from the Esee scales, you need to make the same type of insert for the
new scales. So, I used some .06 black kydex and traced out the shape of the insert, cut it out, shaped it, centered it and used Gorilla super glue to
hold the pieces down. After they dried, I centered the new scales to the original Esee scales, lined up the screw holes. (I double stick taped them together)
I then used a counter sinking drill bit that has a smaller pilot bit. After drilling those holes, I used a larger 1/4 bit to fit the barrel for the opposite side screw.
When I cut and sanded the black G10, it had a light grey color to it. I put some light machine oil on the scales and it gave them a deep
black color.
I wanted a pocket carry rig that would work in a left or right hand pocket. So, I made a sheath that allows you to pull it out of your pocket quickly if needed...the hook catches
the side of your pants. And I made a thumb "push off" piece to remove it out slowly as well as a piggy-back piece for my flash light.
I might consider making these scales for people, but it takes some time. I can though make sheaths like this if there's interest.
I hope this helped someone.
-Kirk
