Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

 

I have a stag-handled switchblade knife that was made in Germany and is very well made, except that the stag scales don't match the bolsters correctly where they meet.  The ends of the scales are thicker than the thickness of the bolsters and project above them.  The scales are also beveled inward.  (See pictures below.)  I'm thinking about reshaping the scales to make them match the bolsters better, and have shown my intended approach in the photos below.  Can anyone give me some tips on exactly how to approach this so I won't damage the bolsters?  Thanks in advance for any advice you offer.

Views: 136

Attachments:

Replies to This Discussion

Terry,

I have several switchblades and they are all the same way"ends of the scales are thicker than the thickness of the bolsters" except for the gaps in the pictures you posted I don't have gaps in mine. If you really want to trim the edges, you could do it by hand with a file then sand paper and finally buff, be sure to protect the metal bolsters with tape of sometning. Personally I would just leave it in it's original condition. Were you planning on doing anything about the gaps? (see your modified picture)
Attachments:
Daniel,

Thanks for your reply and advice. You're right - - the gaps are very noticeable and detract from the handle, but I can't think of a good way to fill them and match the stag scales. Maybe I'll just leave the scales as they are.
Terry .. my European auto's are the same as Dan has noted .. where the bolsters meet the scales .. the scales are bigger !! I spent a few yrs in deutschland in the late 70's .. as I recall .. most auto's available had a poor match @ the bolster/scale interface ..

.. the way it exists would be truest to its vintage.

.. watch those bolsters if you choose to "blend" the scale/bolster interface .. duct tape & carefully applied file.
Dale, I checked my other autos and found the same extra thick scales on them, just not as pronounced, and I hadn't noticed it on them. After careful reconsideration, I decided modifying the knife with the projecting scales would be too easy to screw up and ruin the pristine condition of the knife. IOW, I chickened out.

RSS

White River Knives

Latest Activity

Kevin D added a discussion to the group Research & Resources
4 hours ago
Kevin D replied to Kevin D's discussion Could not find the perfect place for this - looking for feedback in the group Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement
5 hours ago
Lars Ray replied to Kevin D's discussion Could not find the perfect place for this - looking for feedback in the group Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement
5 hours ago
Kevin D replied to Kevin D's discussion Could not find the perfect place for this - looking for feedback in the group Knife Repair, Modification, Restoration & Improvement
5 hours ago
George R Naugle commented on George R Naugle's photo
19 hours ago
Dennis Hibar replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Wednesday
J.J. Smith III replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Wednesday

KnifeMaker
Andy Larrison replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Wednesday
Dennis Hibar replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Tuesday
Tim replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Tuesday
Kevin D replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Tuesday
Dennis Hibar replied to Craig Henry's discussion Case Seahorse in the group Case Fans
Tuesday
George R Naugle posted a photo
Tuesday
Kevin D commented on George R Naugle's photo
Tuesday
Kevin D commented on George R Naugle's photo
Tuesday
Mike Bryant posted photos
Monday

© 2025   Created by Jan Carter.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service