Spyderco Forums

Anybody have any experience ordering aftermarket scales off the bay that ship out of Russia?

I searched the forum before asking and came up blank so this becomes my first thread. I’m hoping that some of you have relevant experience to help guide my decision on whether or not to buy a couple sets for my Manix collection.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

I have bought a couple micarta sets with zero problems, in fact, my favorite set was from Russia, the same seller has a presence on both Amazon and eBay, I got one set from each, not even realizing it at the time.

Yes, one in particular and he's one of the best in the business IMHO. I purchased maybe ten different times from him. Beautiful craftsmanship, excellent communication, fast shipping.

Good to hear positive feedback here!! I've been tempted but have never pulled the trigger.

Are you looking at Aramis Arkmedov scales? I've never bought from him, but have seen a lot of his work here and on IG - beautiful scales that look very high quality. I've never heard a complaint, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him.

JuPaul wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:46 pm

Are you looking at Aramis Arkmedov scales? I've never bought from him, but have seen a lot of his work here and on IG - beautiful scales that look very high quality. I've never heard a complaint, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him.

No hadn’t heard of him. I just scanned his offerings, but I didn’t see any Manix scales.

The seller I saw was gyspear...simple design and a couple colors. Longish lead time but good reviews, though limited and great price.

If Putman wasn’t out of stock and RCB wasn’t so expensive I probably wouldn’t be considering this route, but here we are...

Suingab of G10.LT is also pretty fantastic and well priced. I've purchased four sets of scales from him and the last set was finished only a few days after ordering.

Burton Knut wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:04 pm

JuPaul wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:46 pm

Are you looking at Aramis Arkmedov scales? I've never bought from him, but have seen a lot of his work here and on IG - beautiful scales that look very high quality. I've never heard a complaint, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him.

No hadn’t heard of him. I just scanned his offerings, but I didn’t see any Manix scales.

The seller I saw was gyspear...simple design and a couple colors. Longish lead time but good reviews, though limited and great price.

If Putman wasn’t out of stock and RCB wasn’t so expensive I probably wouldn’t be considering this route, but here we are...

Have you considered terotuf scales? Fireside will make manix scales on custom order.

fixall wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:23 pm

Suingab of G10.LT is also pretty fantastic and well priced. I've purchased four sets of scales from him and the last set was finished only a few days after ordering.

I've checked out his scales, he has some pretty strange ones, some with strange graphics and what not on them. Of course any of the few that I liked, he responded no longer in stock. I gave up on that guy.

JuPaul wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:31 pm

Burton Knut wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:04 pm

JuPaul wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:46 pm

Are you looking at Aramis Arkmedov scales? I've never bought from him, but have seen a lot of his work here and on IG - beautiful scales that look very high quality. I've never heard a complaint, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him.

No hadn’t heard of him. I just scanned his offerings, but I didn’t see any Manix scales.

The seller I saw was gyspear...simple design and a couple colors. Longish lead time but good reviews, though limited and great price.

If Putman wasn’t out of stock and RCB wasn’t so expensive I probably wouldn’t be considering this route, but here we are...

Have you considered terotuf scales? Fireside will make manix scales on custom order.

I like terotuf (really great on my big CPK choppers), but for my work knives there is a lot of greasy grit/oil exposure so I’m not sure how it would hold up. And at that price I’d get some burlap or the blue/natural micarta like you got from RCB.

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:37 pm

fixall wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:23 pm

Suingab of G10.LT is also pretty fantastic and well priced. I've purchased four sets of scales from him and the last set was finished only a few days after ordering.

I've checked out his scales, he has some pretty strange ones, some with strange graphics and what not on them. Of course any of the few that I liked, he responded no longer in stock. I gave up on that guy.

I checked his Spydie offerings too and he doesn’t seem to offer Manix scales either.

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:37 pm

fixall wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:23 pm

Suingab of G10.LT is also pretty fantastic and well priced. I've purchased four sets of scales from him and the last set was finished only a few days after ordering.

I've checked out his scales, he has some pretty strange ones, some with strange graphics and what not on them. Of course any of the few that I liked, he responded no longer in stock. I gave up on that guy.

In my experience, he doesn't really keep any scales in stock. He makes them all custom for his customers, so I imagine any of his weird ones are at the request of said customers. All four of mine have been made to my specifications.

African Blackwood Native 5



Black Canvas Micarta Para 3 and Gray Smooth G10 Delica

Burton Knut wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:39 pm

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:37 pm

fixall wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:23 pm

Suingab of G10.LT is also pretty fantastic and well priced. I've purchased four sets of scales from him and the last set was finished only a few days after ordering.

I've checked out his scales, he has some pretty strange ones, some with strange graphics and what not on them. Of course any of the few that I liked, he responded no longer in stock. I gave up on that guy.

I checked his Spydie offerings too and he doesn’t seem to offer Manix scales either.

I completely missed that you were looking for Manix scales in particular. Sorry about that. In that case... I would definitely recommend talking to Steve (Boomer52 on BladeForums) as he does some great work with Manix scales too.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id= ... text=manix

He's done some work for me on a Lil'Para Delica.


RC Bladeworks is gets good reviews, I have no experience with them though.

https://www.instagram.com/rc_bladeworks/?hl=en

Yes, the two photos in my response above are by Aramis Akhmedov...the CF Shaman and the CF Military. Aramis has responded to every one of my emails within 24hrs. Every time I've ordered I've received the scales within 10-14 business days. Considering its coming from all the way from Russia that's pretty incredible.

I’ve purchased a set of scales from Aramis Akhmedov (admittedly not for a Spyderco). They are possibly the best fit and finish and tightest tolerances of any aftermarket scales I have.

Communication is excellent given English probably isn’t his first language. Shipping takes a while to get out of Russia but the wait is worth it.

I’d have no hesitation to get scales from him again.

P2

I've bought scales from Aramis and they were top-notch. The back spacers of Seki knives, have small FRN tabs, used to align the knife, which leads to eventual breakage for anyone taking their knives apart. Even the proper assembly method isn't foolproof.

Aramis decided metal made more sense, and it does, especially given the beautiful scale work he does. No broken or worn tabs, and fantastic quality all around.

The shipping was painfully slow, but once I had the scales installed, the wait was very much worth it.

I recently got a set of TeroTuff Scales from Fireside and they are fantastic. Love the feel! They went together great with my Cruwear PM2. Pretty much dream knife for me, and I like the similar feel to the micarta on my CruCarta Shaman.

Aramis gets two big thumbs up from me. I have bought scales from him on four different occasions with zero problems, and they are absolutely top notch.

Thank you this post and the responses. I’ve been tempted several times to order, but after a not so great purchase from Russia in the past I was concerned. Now the hard part, deciding on which one.

I bit the bullet and ordered 2 sets of G10 scales from a seller no one here mentioned, but who offers colors and texture I like at a price I really like. They appear to ship out of Russia and offer an ETA of mid-June, so it will be a little while, but I will report back here when they get to me.

Capt'n Boatsalot wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 29, 2020 10:54 am

I recently got a set of TeroTuff Scales from Fireside and they are fantastic. Love the feel! They went together great with my Cruwear PM2. Pretty much dream knife for me, and I like the similar feel to the micarta on my CruCarta Shaman.

They look excellent! I definitely need a terotuf set for one of my pm2s.