Handle materials
We've talked about blades, but what about the rest of the knife? What are some materials you would like to see us using for handles, bolsters,or accents (spacers, inlays, latches, etc.).
Here are some pictures of what we've done with Timascus and Texture Tech titanium
Here are some pictures of what we've done with Timascus and Texture Tech titanium
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Hi Mikey,
I love Micarta, think highly of G-10, esp. textured, and would also like to see more handle scales done in Carbon Fiber as well.
On models like the Osborne 94x series, moving away from T6 would be not only welcome and timely, but would, and could, increase your sales.
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your post!0 -
I think Carbon Fiber has been beat like a dead horse. Time to find something else. Timascus is very cool stuff and hardly ever seen.
I do like the carbon just in accents or moderation. The pictures above look good0 -
Hi Mikey. Welcome to the forum.
I like/need scales that aren't too slick. The 520 is awesome, and, thanks to the texture and scalloped edges, I like the 950 and Contego as well. In my opinion, BM's usual G10 is way too smooth. I really like G10, just give it more texture.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with the T6 aluminum either. Just use the pattern from the 525-701 and on the Ultra Presidio. That "waterfall" pattern on the Gaucho was really good too.
Thanks for listening!0 -
How about some color variety in the G10? 0 -
For spacers I love the titanium and the layered G10 like the Proto 730 had. Also, Ti or colored stand offs are a plus to me.
Some heavy textured G10 in colors other than black for scales would be nice. As for T6, as TB mentioned the Gaucho was a fav of mine.0 -
LOVE the Timascus! I would like to see meteorite as an accent on some gold class. 0 -
Carbon fiber is awesome but almost outdone. Maybe try some lightning strike carbon fiber? Silver twill? I personally am addicted to olive drab green and would love more scales in that color. And I hope the shot show grip is proof of moving forward to having g10 scales as an option for grips. I and many many many others feel you guys would sell even more then you already do if you had more of them in g10!!!!!! Look at how well cuscadi and Wilkins and even other guys are doing selling g10 scales for your knives!!!! 
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I wouldn't say that CF has been overdone. Some regular production CF would be nice. Love what I see in the OP. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by APBT:
I wouldn't say that CF has been overdone. Some regular production CF would be nice. Love what I see in the OP.
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Mainly what I would like to see is less aluminum...0 -
quote:Originally posted by something
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Mainly what I would like to see is less aluminum...
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I would also like more carbon fiber, like the one used in the Mini-onslaught. Very comfortable and classy.
By the way I like the way Mikey posed the question head-on. Frank and direct exchange of ideas, the right direction to go!0 -
This really is a subject that is close to my heart, let me start off by saying that I am NO fan of “Henry Ford” with his saying “Any Color You want Providing Its Black”.
I am in no way or means a steel snob and frankly I am very comfortable using a well balanced steel like 154cm or even S30V, but I have always been a great believer in ergonomics, materials and colors of knives as an end consumer.
Frankly the vast majority of people that purchase a Benchamde are exactly just that a consumer and not a collector, so it brings me to the point of what does the average person want and it is my belief that it is some variations in colors and great ergonomics when the knife is actually in their hands.
One point that has been brought up previously is the 2007 Shot Show Limited Edition the 525SBK-701 or as some of us have it now as a 525-701 (with a simple 154cm Satin Blade), those of us that have one just love it and those that have sold them greatly regret it.
My personal view is that the 525 could do with a simple facelift, changing the scales to those of the 527 but in G10 with some color options available for consumers choice.
The 525 is a fantastic knife, but just having Limited Editions with different steels is not in my opinion going to satisfy the broader based market place and the immediate option of a simple G10 scale with colors would.
Colors create perceptions and variances of colors open the market to more customers, as my Late Father always said if you give people what they want in turn they will give you what you want…
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1. Something other than green in a 940. Preferable other than AL
2. The painted G10 (on the 275) was not too well received, some are okay with it but not all, may want to avoid painted G10.
3. I like carbon fiber.
4. Flame treated Ti0 -
i'd definitely be on board with some micarta offerings as well. same with od green g10. 0 -
I think this answer is easily achieved.
1. Look at the popular secondary market modifications.
Here on the forum we have Rezarf and Keyman as prime examples.
Secondary market mods extend to the blade modifiers who achieved commercial status, prime example being the sweet regrinds on the LUM tango by The Arkansas Grind Monkey, Tom Krein.
The polished 940 I did, makes it feel organic and smooth, I understand some guys want jimping/gimping and that's fine, some want super aggressive G-10, that's fine, but there's room for smooth sleek knives... Like the scales Keyman did for the 950.
I know that not too many people saw that I think the bone collector folder is the G-10 Griptilian, that knife is nice, I think the grip had small spots of negative space or cuts into the handle to aide in traction instead of the texturing like we see on the 950/810.
My preference would be thinner blade stock, higher grinds and better steel, think Opinel #8 in G-10 with an M4 blade... If you could license the virobloc... Even better!
Opines is a joy to use, the geometry is superb, better quality would only make a great design that much better.
Sorry about the long post, but this has been on my mind for a while.
Cerakote also intrigues me, the color combinations are awesome and in my opinion is on par with the BK coating for durability. I cut a good amount of cardboard and all the BK did was get scratched off and leave me with a crappy looking blade. I appreciate some guys wanting black blades, I'd like blazing orange blades or other colors that easily contrast in the outdoors.
I noticed the slightly rounded spine on my 950-1201, I appreciat it, the total lack of jimping and the steel, you made most of my knives obsolete.
Coated G-10 is a major turn off, it's like showing a kid a sundae and giving him brussel sprouts.0 -
Micarta is my personal fav 0 -
Old school micarta sounds good, but some fresh new materials would also be great.
I thought this C-Tec scaled knife customized by dingo was very tasteful.
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Instead of going with smooth finish on contoured G10 knives, try something like bead blasting. It really adds a lot of texture to G10 and means you don't have to stick with peel ply and flat panels to get textures.
I bead blast all the custom G10 handles I make and I'm really happy with the results. Adds texture and kind of brings out the fabric pattern a little more. I think it's nice looking.
Same goes for micarta, bead blast it.
Also, if you wanted to go the peel ply route, peel ply carbon fiber exists and it's pretty cool looking.0 -
- more 2-tone G10 (green/black, red/black, the almost over-used blue/black...). You could turn the Rift into something exceptional just by using different G10. Keyman's red/black Rift is an example, and having the standard Rift scales with their scalloped edges in different colors would be an awesome addition (see my Rift below when I had dyed it).
- less CF except as accents.
- more wood, mostly as accents
- better/rougher texture g10
0 - more 2-tone G10 (green/black, red/black, the almost over-used blue/black...). You could turn the Rift into something exceptional just by using different G10. Keyman's red/black Rift is an example, and having the standard Rift scales with their scalloped edges in different colors would be an awesome addition (see my Rift below when I had dyed it).
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Wood... showing unique grain. Doesn't have to be too exotic, (but why not? - your choice ) Stabilized in most cases seems wise... The Timascus looks great on the bolsters & liners. jmo0 -
Can someone educate me what is Timascus anyway? Thanks! 0 -
Timascus is a titanium laminate material. Much like Damascus but using different alloys of titanium(cp and 6al4v) as apposed to steel. When Timascus is heat colored the two types of titanium color at different rates, bringing out the pattern in the material. 0 -
Lovin the Timascus. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by RobME:
Wood... showing unique grain. Doesn't have to be too exotic, (but why not? - your choice) Stabilized in most cases seems wise... The Timascus looks great on the bolsters & liners. jmo
Wood is just an absolutely fabulous natural material Rob, in reality no two pieces or scales are ever perfectly the same and are unique (especially when you get into the Burls)...
I love the idea and think it's a great one..0 -
Canvas micarta is an excellent rugged look.
Wood with Ti bolsters (on a 940)
Bone?
GMascus is kinda fun...and probably more cost effective.0 -
C-Tek is the cat's azz 0 -
Agreed, Canvas Micarta is an excellent material. 0 -
Had a long winded post... Time for some more organic sculpting and colors besides black, also, paint is no good. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Skimo:
Had a long winded post... Time for some more organic sculpting and colors besides black, also, paint is no good.
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I really like the texture of the new 551BK-1301... I think Benchmade has been going in the right direction lately with handles.0 -
I agree with most of the folks posting
-No painted G10, but more varity in the colors of G10 used, really like the combo's green/black, blue/black, tan/black
-Carbon fiber is good, but I prefer it more as an accent material
-would like to see some more winewood or burl, personally I would love to see a 710-2 set up with burl scales and some of that Timascus as the bolsters with a mirror polished blade.
-G10 or Micarta options for plastic handles - Although I missed gettting one, I loved the look of the Limited 530 with the green/black scales
-Not a fan of the aluminum scales - the finish just isn't duable enough - one ding and the scales look terrible - Look how many Bonesidio hybrid's were put together to get some G10 on a 520 blade
-Please, please, Tip Up Carry Frame lock/Liner lock. I know some folks like the tip down carry, but give us the option. Over the last few years I have ended up selling my Stryker's, DeJavoo's and Subrosa because I simply didn't carry them for just this reason.0
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