Hi there, I put in a bit a few months ago about doing a similar mod to my ESEE-6. I got it done and it came out nice, but I never got around to pictures. I just fashioned some new scales for this guy out of a block of redheart wood I found lying around and think it makes a pretty picture now. Here you go!
I did the acid etching thing, and it came out alright. The paint etching was a bit too detailed and the acid-etched text isn't completely readable, but I still like the effect. I also neglected to cover some parts where the paint had worn off--on the jimping and butt, for example--and the etchant ate a bit through those, too.
It was very, very difficult for me to strip it. I didn't have a good stripper and probably applied a paste I bought about four separate times. In the end, I went to town on the thing with a wire brush on a Dremel. There's still some paint left under the scales.
I ground out a small groove right in front of the jimping so I could have something to scrape my Firesteel with. I've heard that it's better to scrape near the tip of the knife, but I feel I have more control the closer it is to the grip.
The scales are contoured a bit as well as grooved to improve grip and comfort over the flat stock scales. They also have a few rough spots that could use some sanding. By no means a professional-quality job, but as I spent maybe eight hours sawing a couple slabs of redheart, whittling them down, sanding them to shape, and finishing them with teak oil, I feel proud that they were all handmade by me. My first hand-made scales.
And that goes for the whole knife--despite the shoddy etching and paint-stripping jobs, I am real proud of owning this know because I've truly made it mine. The knife feels lighter in the hand because of the wood. I don't know if they actually are lighter, but the handle almost feel hollow.
Oh, I also convexed the edge. May have been the only thing done properly here
And just so that I haven't deceived you with lighting, here's the blade under indirect light to show that the finish is not as satined as the first picture might make it look.
