What parts of a knife could I 3d print?

[Tyrdle]

I have a 3d printer and I am wondering what I could 3D print for my knives. I'm thinking sheaths, custom handle scales, etc. I have experience 3d modeling also, and I think with some time I could successfully model a handle scale if I wanted. I have a Mamba, Positron, S110v PM2, UKPK, Delica, and Endura.

[SG89]

Probably start with scales or maybe those plastic wave attachments

[yablanowitz]

Aside from scales and spacers I don't know of any parts I would trust 3d printed.

[Tyrdle]

Does anyone know where I can get a good image of a backspacer for any of these knives?

[BrandoSpoke]

anything that can be replaced with plastic pretty much but it may not be as strong

[Ryno]

I don't know if this is possible with your printer or with any printer for that matter, but what about both scales and backspacer all one piece.

[Tyrdle]

I don't know if this is possible with your printer or with any printer for that matter, but what about both scales and backspacer all one piece.

I probably could with supports. The hard part would be fitting the liner into the printed part.

[Ryno]

I don't know if this is possible with your printer or with any printer for that matter, but what about both scales and backspacer all one piece.

I probably could with supports. The hard part would be fitting the liner into the printed part.

If the material is stiff enough, does it need liners?

[zhyla]

Assuming this is an extrusion type printer that can print ABS or PLA plastics it could be useful for: no parts of a real knife. Maybe you could make a little display stand or something. Or a trainer version of your favorite Spyderco.

The SLA type printers crank out something different entirely. I could see making scales with one of those.

[Tyrdle]

I don't know if this is possible with your printer or with any printer for that matter, but what about both scales and backspacer all one piece.

I probably could with supports. The hard part would be fitting the liner into the printed part.

If the material is stiff enough, does it need liners?

The material is not really super stiff. PLA is actually somewhat brittle. The main alternative, ABS, is much harder to print with but more durable. There are different plastics and blends like rubber filament, carbon fiber filament, steel, etc. but I haven't tried many of them

[Tyrdle]

Assuming this is an extrusion type printer that can print ABS or PLA plastics it could be useful for: no parts of a real knife. Maybe you could make a little display stand or something. Or a trainer version of your favorite Spyderco.

The SLA type printers crank out something different entirely. I could see making scales with one of those.

SLA printers also crank out something else: a price tag of several thousand dollars more. :o Or even more pricey, an SLS (powder-based) printer that could print in solid steel. I doubt I could really make a useful handle scale, but a backspacer isn't too hard. :rolleyes:

[PayneTrain]

With a high resolution printer I could totally see printing scales and backspacers, and certainly custom sheaths! That's a really cool idea actually, I'd totally give it a shot! I've done some printing with larger tips (to save time) and the product was certainly usable. Definitely ABS over PLA, and with a small tip and a little post-processing you might even get it to look good too! Personally I'd definitely work towards making sheaths and holsters rather than scales (unless you want something totally unconventional for a handle) because it's going to be quite hard to get something as well done as genuine Spyderco manufacturing.

[Evil D]

I'm not even sure scales can be made precisely enough to compete with CNC.

[yablanowitz]

I'm pretty sure if you have a 3D printer but you don't have a CNC mill, the competition will be skewed in favor of the printer. At least as long as you are talking about things for personal consumption. If you're talking about making parts to sell, that's a different story. I personally wouldn't buy 3D printed parts for my knife if there was anything else available.

[Ryno]

The material is not really super stiff. PLA is actually somewhat brittle. The main alternative, ABS, is much harder to print with but more durable. There are different plastics and blends like rubber filament, carbon fiber filament, steel, etc. but I haven't tried many of them

I have to admit that I am woefully ignorant of 3d printing and all it can or can't do.

[SolidState]

Ironically enough, the Introvert's first few prototypes were printed, but none of them were sturdy enough for springs and pivots to stay sturdy. Carved sterilite was used in a final prototype.

I'm actually trying to print my next prototype too. I think that the extrusion PLA will do it, but I will likely still use wooden pins.