r/knifemods

Sick of the old ones I ground them down and drilled them out. Put in some new timascus ones to match the clip

TLDR: Does anyone have experience replacing the santoprene handles? I know I’ll need to cut these off and make my own replacements. Please send pics if you have them! Thanks in advance!

More info: This knife seems like a great edc/work/mini camping knife (at least for my usage) but the handle scales feel narrow and I’d prefer micarta or wood. Does anyone have experience replacing the santoprene handles on this or any other knife from Benchmade? I would use it as is for a while, but am 95% sure I will end up replacing them, so just looking g for more insight before I buy.

I know it will void the warranty. I get a good deal on Benchmade through work. The Hidden Canyon feels too small and the grind lines on the Saddle Mountain bother me for some reason. Also considering Spyderco Mule Team (sorry Benchmade) for same usage but the Steep Country is a better deal after buying getting a sheath and scales for the Spyderco.

I bought the Wartech Dual Arm Blades in 3Cr13MoV at Big 5, but I have taste, so this was clearly the next step.

No soft-serve 'round hee-uh! 😎

If I follow the ricasso curve to the point near the spine and everything back to the lock face like this with a heavy coat of fingernail polish - would that painted point hold up to the dryer method of tumbling? I also have access to kapton tape.

I tried my hand at home anodizing for the first time yesterday. Overall I am pleased with the results but as always there I room to learn. I would love some thought as well as process recomendations. The knife came with a blue ano I am guessing was done around 28v I hit the top and bottom ends if the scales and hard edges with 600 grit to expose titanium then buffed with a medium steel will to reduce scratching. Lastly hand tumbled with rocksalt in a gatoraid bottle. I then cleaned and anodized at 22v for a purple. I then repeated the full distress process more lightly and anodized at 14v. I noticed I got very little bronze so I cut a thin strip if 600 grit and used it like a paintbrushto some random scratch patterns on the surface and did 14v again.

Titanium hardware with flame ano pocket clip and back spacer.

I have this knife with an unknown steel type blade. It's shiny AF which is not me.

Assuming all of the normal prep of course, what are my chances of stone washing this more matte in the standard gravel, water, dish soap and gatorade bottle method?

I know it doesn't look too shiny here, but it is, trust me.

My “Big Spydies” top to bottom:

- Bodacious Sprint Run S90V w/carbon fiber scales

- Shadacious I - S30V Bodacious with customized Shaman G-10 scales

- Shadacious II - SPY27 Bodacious with customized Flytanium Lotus scales in G-10 for Shaman

- Shaman S30V with SMKW Exclusive micarta scales

- Shaman - SMKW Exclusive S45VN with grey micarta scales

This one came out great!

A little while ago I picked up a PM2 in SPY27 with the blue G10 scales. I already have AWT scales on my Sage 6 and Native 5, so I knew I wanted to upgrade the PM2 as well.
I decided to try the Flytanium Lotus scales. They’re beautiful, but after carrying them for a bit, I realized they just aren’t what I was hoping for. The more I compare them, the more I realize I really prefer the contouring and texture of the AWT scales.

So now I’m trying to decide between Micarta CruCarta-style or Cerakote aluminum.
A few questions:

-Which would you choose: Micarta or Cerakote?

-Can I use the CruCarta version on a standard G10 PM2? I’m not interested in removing the clip-side liner.

-Is there another brand I should be considering besides AWT?

Shadacious II - Thanks to Spyderco for getting my SPY27 Bodacious back to me all fixed today (I owe you!) and I wasted no time modding some Flytanium Shaman G-10 scales and making the next iteration of the Shadacious. Me and my Dremel are dangerous.

First knife, first mod