Griptilian handles

[benp1]

What are the handle options for the big grips?

The mini grips have the same sized liner inside (I think) so weight is constant throughout the handle and it feels much more solid. The handle on the big grip isn't good enough for me, I want something more solid.

In particular I want to beef up my big RSK. I don't really want a griptilikin as it is as the groove by the thumb stud is in the wrong place, though I'm considering emailing Kevin to ask him if it could be modified.

Does anyone else have this dislike? And what are the options? Can you buy ready made handles made out of G10 or micarta etc? I live what ZDP189 did on the griptilian (though wouldn't be my colour choice), any more out there like that?

[Jerseyman]

Yes, Mini Grips do feel much more solid with their higher liner-to-handle ratio and I'm not keen on the way that Mr Wilkins has done the thumbing cut-outs either.

I know that some people have stripped their full sized Grips and filled the hollow sections of the handle with "stuff", making the handle feel more solid.
I'll see if I can find a link..

Personally I have no problem with the Grips handles as they are. The fact that they are strong, while being very lightweight appeals to me.

[benp1]

nice one Jerseyman, thanks for the reply. That link would be great.

I have to say that if I didn't have a mini grip I don't think I'd know what I was missing, but i find it devalues the grip when I know its a good knife. Having a more solid handle would really help.

[ScanDgrind]

I found the lightness of the large Griptillian was one of it's major selling points for me.

It's great to have a knife with a blade that size that doesn't weigh like a small frigate in your pocket ( Oh errrr Mrs).

[ZDP-189]

The machining was done freehand, but the G10 colour was the client's selection. Actually, I quite like it as I could see the different depth according to colour (and even tone within that colour layer).

The result was quite robust, except around the Axis lock. While mine was as strong as the original the fine work in that area and the thin structures means I am not keen to offer to repeat the exercise.

I think Wilkins' product is very good. It's pushing the boundaries of a third party CNC product. To get it any finer would require either hand crasftmanship or a better digitisation, finer cutting and a fair amount of daring.

[bardster]

Both my custom versions are great, the faithful copy by Dan and the Alternative by Kevin. Although the thumb ramp of Kevin's version looks wrong it feels right in the hand. Because of the way my thumb pushes at around 45 degrees to the handle it slides along the groove straight to the stud/hole, which then continues in a continuous arc to open the blade. If the cutout was directly below the stud then you would have to push at 90 degrees to the handle and then change direction of the thumb to continue the arc of the opening motion. If that makes sense?

[bardster]

Kam once posted this...
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...57&postcount=4
bit different from the wilkins offering and a bit cheaper at the time
I'd really love the black and orange......

[Jerseyman]

If the cutout was directly below the stud then you would have to push at 90 degrees to the handle and then change direction of the thumb to continue the arc of the opening motion. If that makes sense?

I would want an even shallower angle rather than steeper.

The Benchmade Ares had it bang-on.
http://www.balisongmecca.com/Other_K..._PS%20copy.jpg

That said, the standard Grip with no "thumbing groove" works perfectly, so I'd rather not have it at all.

[benp1]

Although the thumb ramp of Kevin's version looks wrong it feels right in the hand. Because of the way my thumb pushes at around 45 degrees to the handle it slides along the groove straight to the stud/hole, which then continues in a continuous arc to open the blade. If the cutout was directly below the stud then you would have to push at 90 degrees to the handle and then change direction of the thumb to continue the arc of the opening motion. If that makes sense?

I hear what you're saying, but to me it still looks wrong... I actually open the blade like you say, at 45 degrees, so I'd prefer it if it was cut that way.

I've shamelessly stolen this pic from Guy (Guy, sorry, hope its ok!) as this is what I mean about the shape of the contour on the handle by the thumb stud



For me that's absolutely spot on - right place and right feel

Kam once posted this...
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...57&postcount=4
bit different from the wilkins offering and a bit cheaper at the time
I'd really love the black and orange......

Nice one, thanks. I'm trying to join as we speak!

I would want an even shallower angle rather than steeper.

That said, the standard Grip with no "thumbing groove" works perfectly, so I'd rather not have it at all.

Agreed, its actually not needed, it does look sort of nice though! And it feels nice when you open it!

[Jerseyman]

I found this link that mentions filling the stock handles. Post 6 and 14:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh....php?p=5239633

[benp1]

Thanks Jerseyman, that's great. How easy-to-take-off are the scales on the grips? I've never actually tried

[bardster]

Fairly easy to dismantle, Jerseyman did a fantastic tutorial on dismantling them. The only danger is if any of the screws wont come undone and strip the threads n the plastic. Give me a shout if that happens as I have two spare sets of scales from my upgrades.

[Jerseyman]

Thanks Jerseyman, that's great. How easy-to-take-off are the scales on the grips? I've never actually tried

Very easy. You just need T10 and T6 Torx drivers:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...ad.php?t=63828