grip tape

H

hawaiianhawk

Joined
Dec 25, 2009
Messages
953
quick question, guys...

i'm rather seriously considering getting one of ka-bar's becker designs (either the bk7 or bk9) and had heard about the smoothness of the handle being a slight issue. so, does/has anybody put grip tape on their handles, and if so how's it work for you? any issues with hot spots, wear and tear, and so forth?

i'm kinda new to the knife modding, so please forgive me for asking an old question. :)
 
I use a 3M product called Stair Step tape. It comes in black and has an adhesive back that will stay where you put it, some strong stuff, that adhesive. This stuff might be rough on your hands though, and I only really use it for my pocket clips. There is another color of the tape, grey, and it is more rubbery, and would make an excellent grip.

Ace Hardware is where I found it.
 
I wrapped mine with some yellow mason's line and it works fine.
I only used yellow because I didn't have green. And I was in a "First Blood" mood that day.
Other than that, I've used the snot outta my BK9 and have nothing but good things to say about it. I call her "Sweet Lucille".

Quite a few guys have used that tennis raquet tape to good effect. Hockey stick tape. Baseball bat tape. Bicycle innertube.

Ethan Becker sure knew what he was doing when he designed that baby. The handle is comfortable as all get out to be...whatever it is.
 
As for the handles, I replaced the Grivory grips with the Ka-bar micarta replacements on my BK-7. I have'nt noticed any hot spots or any big problem with slipping prior to the mod. It did IMO ,however, aesthetically change the looks of the knife for the better. And even as I own everything Becker offers with the exception of the Tac-Tool, my preference lies with the BK-7. Those are my 2 cents.:)
 
I have used grip tape on many a knives it does wear off after awhile but it works well for awhile.
 
cutter17 said:
I use a 3M product called Stair Step tape. It comes in black and has an adhesive back that will stay where you put it, some strong stuff, that adhesive. This stuff might be rough on your hands though, and I only really use it for my pocket clips. There is another color of the tape, grey, and it is more rubbery, and would make an excellent grip.

Ace Hardware is where I found it.
Click to expand...

I have heard of "Stair Step Tape" but never knew much about it. I would like to try it out on a machete handle that I have which is sort of a slick hard wood. I have never had any problem with anything made by 3M corporation.

3M's diamond benchstones are even better than DMT's in my book.

I would love to hear more suggestions. I also have a walking cane that has a somewhat slick handle I would like to put something grippy on.
 
Just go to a skate board shot and buy a sheet of grip tape for about $5. You will have enough to last a lifetime. I haven't used it on a knife, but I use it on pistol grips a lot. I love the feel on the hands. I am considering buying a random leek and putting grip tape on the handle. The only problem with this that I can think of though is tearing up my pants pockets.
 
Being a life-long skater, I would NEVER put grip tape on one of my knives unless I had an unlimited band aid and or gloves budget. The stuff will wear holes in leather and denim very fast, imagine what it will do to your hands. I'd opt for hockey stick tape if you need a little extra grip.
 
Try the textured Multi-colored Krylon paint. I used it on a BK9 i once had. The paint can cap is textured with the paint so you can feel it. Make sure it's good and dry before you re-attach the handles.

I light sanding would also help the paint adhere.
 
thanks a lot, guys. lots of great suggestions here.

i like the sound of that krylon paint, hatchetjack. i think that might be the way to go. i've seen it used when helping build stage sets and remember the texture. never even considered it. get some neat colors in there too i'm sure. ;)

and great name, crom. :D do we happen to have any robert. e. howard fans here?
 
crom said:
Being a life-long skater, I would NEVER put grip tape on one of my knives unless I had an unlimited band aid and or gloves budget. The stuff will wear holes in leather and denim very fast, imagine what it will do to your hands. I'd opt for hockey stick tape if you need a little extra grip.
Click to expand...

crom knows:thumbup:

Especially on a working knife you would not want grip tape. It does not matter how tough our skin is, the grip tape will eat your skin. It just amplifies the problem of "hot spots." Grip tape will eventually eat down to your inner skin and cause "burns" like a rash. If it was a light-use knife then maybe it would not be such a problem. I would opt for athletic tape. EDIT- sounds like you found what you wanted!

If you are interested in grip tape for other knife mods, you could easily get grip tape from a skate shop. Just tell them you are doing knife mods and ask if there is any extra cut off. There is always extra cut off of grip tape lying around skate shops, and they will probably think knives are cool and help you out.
 
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thanks, thegovernment. yeah, i'm gonna try out the paint in a few weeks when i get my becker (maybe i have to end up with both.... i can't decide! :D) i'll take pictures when it's all set up!

but i think i'll get some grip tape anyway. i can use it to add "jimping" of a sort on my non-jimped folders.
 
crom said:
Being a life-long skater, I would NEVER put grip tape on one of my knives unless I had an unlimited band aid and or gloves budget. The stuff will wear holes in leather and denim very fast, imagine what it will do to your hands. I'd opt for hockey stick tape if you need a little extra grip.
Click to expand...
I agree its nothing more than sand paper really.
I vote for the micarta handles they reallt make the knife alot more useful,
or medical/hockey tape.
 
The black 3M Stair Step tape I mentioned is also rough, but not quite as rough as the skateboard tape is. As it is, I only use the 3M product on my pocket clips, to get rid of the shiney, and to give me a superior grip on the clip as I pull and flip!
 
cutter 17 got my bk9 last week & was concerned about slippage which will be a problem in hot summer. thanks for the tip.
 
I used some of that non stick gun wrap on mine but the sheath wouldn't button anymore. Someone else on here stippled the handle scales with a wood burner to make them more grippy (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=680544). You could also spring for the micarta slabs around $40, I tihnk. Or, if you're into woodworking and such, you could try making your own, I did this with some junk pine and it worked out okay but I didn't really use them, I was just bored, so if you're going to try this, get good materials.
 
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