Spyderco factory custom scales

[Doc Dan]

Hi Folks,

How many of you would like to see Spyderco produce factory custom scales that we could purchase from Spyderco to update, decorate, customize, personalize our knives? What would you like to see?

Doc

[ominodipietra]

YES!
I think it would be great for us and also a good business for Spyderco, at least for the most successful models.
I would like to have some alternative replacement scales for the PM2, different colors, materials, etc.
Scales made by Spyderco would not be totally custom, but a good first step of personalization.

[bh49]

I would love to see this. Even more, I would love to see custom shop, where you can buy a knife with custom scales. Unfortunately Sal commented on few occasions that Spyderco has no plans for this.

[skatenut]

I would really love to see this, a dream come true. It would be wonderful to order a knife with custom features right from the start without having to send it to a custom scale maker such as Cuscadi etc..

However, as bh49 said, it will probably never happen.

[jackknifeh]

I'd say anyone can replace the scales on a Sage4. Because the bolsters are not removed and they are at the pivot no real disassembly is required. At the moment I don't know if removing the scales from a Sage4 or any bolstered knife is considered disassembly and would void the warranty. If however the scale covers the entire knife handle disassembling the knife would be required. Even if you didn't remove every screw I would consider it disassembly enough to void a warranty. Compared to a knife with bolsters anyway. Most knives are disassembled and assembled fairly easily but some are a little more difficult. Manix2 for example. For one thing the lanyard tube is swelled to lock it in place. This maked removing the scale more difficult. Also, the lock on the Manix2 is more difficult to get assembled properly without breaking the post on the buttons that goes inside the spring. One question Spyderco would ask is how many people would really want to do replace them themselves? Then doing it correctly is a consideration. This may cause more problems than it would be worth. I think this is definately true. Maybe. :)

[The Deacon]

Not really. First and foremost because their production capacity is already stretched thin making knives, as demonstrated by the scarcity of a number of US made models and the delayed release of others. Second, because there are a number of people who will make you whatever you want, while the chances of a set of factory replacement scales being exactly what you want are slim to nil. There's also the issue of disassembly and modifications voiding the warranty.

[toomzz]

Wisely spoken Paul. It is nice to see ´extra´ custom scales for some models, but realistically I think there is not much to gain for Spyderco.

[bh49]

Not really. First and foremost because their production capacity is already stretched thin making knives, as demonstrated by the scarcity of a number of US made models and the delayed release of others. Second, because there are a number of people who will make you whatever you want, while the chances of a set of factory replacement scales being exactly what you want are slim to nil. There's also the issue of disassembly and modifications voiding the warranty.

Paul,
Nobody talking about adding custom shop, which would hurt production. Nobody want custom job at expense of production capabilities. All of us love Spyderco for their production knives. Custom shop even do not have to be in the same building. There are tons of commercial real estate, which can be leased. Consider this a new division.
You have much more experience in custom scales than I do. I just tried few times and I wish that could be a little easier.

Wisely spoken Paul. It is nice to see ´extra´ custom scales for some models, but realistically I think there is not much to gain for Spyderco.

Probably like any business today, it is not easy to make it profitable. But it looks like Cuscadi is doing OK. So this can be done.
Still if I had to choose between Spyderco having custom shop and increasing Golden production and see more Golden made models and no backorders, I would choose second.

[kennethsime]

I bet that Spyderco could do it with either the Delica/Endura in Seki or the PM2 here in Golden. I would image it like the Build-your-own Griptillian service benchmade offers. If they picked four or so decent steels (Japan: VG-10, H1, ZDP, Super Blue) (USA: S30V, CTS-XHP, M-4, M390), then a few colors for handles (just the same FRN or G10 in various colors, let's say black, green, brown, blue, purple or pink), that would do it. On top of this they could offer DLC coating, hardware options (stainless or black), clip (position, painted or satin).

Price would be higher than the standard models, and would vary a lot by steel choice I bet.

[Cheddarnut]

They would be undercutting themselves, as people who bought each of the colored delicas/enduras did so for the colored scales as the knives are identical other than that.

[Doc Dan]

You can go to Buck Knives and order a custom knife pretty much any way you want it. Even if it is not listed on their website you can call them and discuss the project. I am certain Spyderco could do something like this. Also, on some models they could simply offer different scales as the knives are easy to take apart (not all are, of course).

[Sequimite]

I stand by my prediction that Spyderco will have a custom shop within ten years, probably dealing with a very few models such as the Military and Para. My reasoning is that, some time after the factory expansion is complete, they will hit a period of excess production capacity which will make a custom shop a good business option.

[The Deacon]

I stand by my prediction that Spyderco will have a custom shop within ten years, probably dealing with a very few models such as the Military and Para. My reasoning is that, some time after the factory expansion is complete, they will hit a period of excess production capacity which will make a custom shop a good business option.

I wouldn't rule that, or much of anything, out completely. However, this subject has come up at least once a year during the ten I've been coming and Sal's answer has been a consistent Between that, and the number of potential models still in the concept stage, I think any added production capacity will be put to good use.

[endgame]

I buy my custom scales from carbonscales.com the ones they make for manix 2 are amazing so are the carbon fiber ones for the pm2 and the pm2 moonglow.he also makes ones for the tenacious.

[billy blade]

I buy my custom scales from carbonscales.com the ones they make for manix 2 are amazing so are the carbon fiber ones for the pm2 and the pm2 moonglow.he also makes ones for the tenacious.

Endgame do you have a link to this customscales.com. I can't seem to find them doing a search.

[Chopping Broccoli]

Would love to see a Para 2 scale option with the holes tapped out for a Para 1 clip. I'd order several sets of those to make my Para 1.5 :D

[Pockets]

I'd rather make scales myself, as I find it enjoyable and the options are unlimited. Also, it's cheap :D