Wooden scales on Spydercos

[Paraguy]

Hello everyone! I'm thinking of making some wooden scales for my Manix because I have access to loads of beautiful wood flooring scraps. From wood like curly maple, walnut, cherry and just about any other north American hard wood you could think of. So I was wondering why you don't see too many after market wooden scales on Spyderco's and if it could be a successful business. I do understand that Spyderco's main purpose is to be more utilitarian. Yet, not everyone actually needs the amount of grip that g10 offers and may prefer something more visually alluring. PS I have access to a vacuum chamber for stabilizing.

[SG89]

If you do good work forumites will be lining up to buy your scales. Trifectcustomshop works with wood too and he has an account here and a website. Good luck to you, custom scale makers are cool people.

[DSH007]

Hello everyone! I'm thinking of making some wooden scales for my Manix because I have access to loads of beautiful wood flooring scraps. From wood like curly maple, walnut, cherry and just about any other north American hard wood you could think of. So I was wondering why you don't see too many after market wooden scales on Spyderco's and if it could be a successful business. I do understand that Spyderco's main purpose is to be more utilitarian. Yet, not everyone actually needs the amount of grip that g10 offers and may prefer something more visually alluring. PS I have access to a vacuum chamber for stabilizing.

Why don't you see too many? I think the main factors are added cost to the average end user and general lack of availability. Many people who see a wooden-scaled Spyderco and think "holy #@% that's beautiful, I must have it!!" may change their tune when they realize the scales alone add an additional $100 - $200 (depending on material, finish,etc) to the cost of the knife.. and those that are willing and ready to pay for the scales will likely run into issues actually finding a set to buy! Chances are good that they will actually have to research scale-makers, communicate with the maker directly, have the scales specially made for their knife model, and then wait possibly months or more to receive their custom scales. In the "click to buy now" world we live in, this just doesn't translate with the average end user..

That said, I absolutely think a market exists for wooden Spydie scales. A skilled maker with a sense for social media will have a pretty solid chance at finding buyers and making a successful business out of it. Spydergirl mentioned Trifectcustomshop.. he popped up overnight and seems to be killing it. Another is Match Anderson Customworks.. he mostly does scales for TRM Neutron/Atom (and some Spyderco).. Match went from selling scales in a facebook group that he made for fun on the weekends to what is now, I understand to be, a full-time business.. all in the course of a year or so. Though scale making is a bit of a niche-market within a niche-market, I think social media has contributed to a rapid proliferation in knife customization and this only seems to be increasing.. the key is harnessing this interest and directing it your way. If a successful wooden knife scale business is your endgame, I don't think a lack of customers will be the reason it doesn't succeed..

Anyways.. let us know how your scales turn out! I'd be interested in seeing some of your work! :)

[The Deacon]

I love wood scales on Spydercos.

[TkoK83Spy]

Here's some of the referenced Trifectcustomshop scales that Chris made for my Watu.

[Paraguy]

I love wood scales on Spydercos.

I like what they did to make it more grippy; it's pretty and practical.

[Larry_Mott]

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

[JMM]

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

I don't see them either

[Xplorer]

I like wood scales very much for their beauty. I'm pretty sure the fact the even stabilized wood scales can warp and shrink is one reason Spyderco is hesitant to use more wood.

[Menipo]

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

I don't see them either

Click on the image with the right button of the mouse and choose "open image in a new tab"

[The Deacon]

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

I don't see them either

If I had to guess, I'd bet you don't see my avatar either. In which case you're most likely using Chrome or some other browser that only allows links to images from HTTPS sites. Sorry, but while I can see the benefit of https for commercial and interactive sites, mine isn't, so I've never seen the need to spend the extra $$$ for that.

[Menipo]

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

Am i the only one who cannot see Paul's images?
I love wood scales myself, and if it wasn't for the cost i would have more!

I don't see them either

If I had to guess, I'd bet you don't see my avatar either. In which case you're most likely using Chrome or some other browser that only allows links to images from HTTPS sites. Sorry, but while I can see the benefit of https for commercial and interactive sites, mine isn't, so I've never seen the need to spend the extra $$$ for that.

As I explained in my previous post there is a way to see your images even using Chrome.

[haydenfox2021]

I think the primary demand for wooden scales would come from the popular models, delica/endura/endela and the paramiltary2/para 3 all knives of which have at least some sort of complex cut within the handles to nest either locking systems or steel liners. If you have some good skill with cad programming and cnc milling this side hustle could absolutely kill. Also stick to oily harder woods, from what I've seen they warp less and are generally more stable than resin stabilized woods, although I am sure you'll find rock solid epoxies/resins that'll negate that issue.

[JRinFL]

If I had to guess, I'd bet you don't see my avatar either. In which case you're most likely using Chrome or some other browser that only allows links to images from HTTPS sites. Sorry, but while I can see the benefit of https for commercial and interactive sites, mine isn't, so I've never seen the need to spend the extra $$$ for that.

Ah, thank you. I had been wondering why some peoples avatar pictures disappeared.

[Paraguy]

I think the primary demand for wooden scales would come from the popular models, delica/endura/endela and the paramiltary2/para 3 all knives of which have at least some sort of complex cut within the handles to nest either locking systems or steel liners. If you have some good skill with cad programming and cnc milling this side hustle could absolutely kill. Also stick to oily harder woods, from what I've seen they warp less and are generally more stable than resin stabilized woods, although I am sure you'll find rock solid epoxies/resins that'll negate that issue.

I think I'm gonna put a router bit on my drill press for pm2/para3

[Paraguy]

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WHOOPS!
I shouldn't have cut the wood against the grain.
I'll probably practice file work on these and use the unbroken one as a jig.

[Bolster]

I'd forgotten how much I liked wood scales until this thread. Man. Wood is good.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

Here’s a few of mine: