Barlow Scales?

[cody6268]

I've had this spear-point Kutmaster Barlow in my collection for quite some time. I bought it as a beater, knowing the scales were shrunken (I suspect heat may have been involved, as I think they're new enough to be Delrin) and the ad on both scales is not only worn, it's worn off completely in places, and those letters are engraved deep. I tend to carry it a lot, but am getting sick and tired of looking at the worn out scales. The blades themselves aren't worn down much; great snap, no wobble. So it's a pretty good candidate in my opinion.

But, I'm having a problem narrowing down what scales to have put on it, and could use some help. Preferably, I'd like something that's affordable and fairly durable for everyday use that can withstand a decent amount of abrasion and impact. Of course, something fancy I wouldn't mind either, I can always carry another Barlow--I have a ton. The choices I've given are those currently on my shortlist. If you think something else is better, I'd like to know.

[edge213]

Sawcut bone

[WillyCamaro]

Mammoth Ivory...

[orvet]

If you want to carry it and use it you can't get much more durable than Micarta or G10 which is basically just fiberglass Micarta. I personally avoid G10 if I can because I've had rough ends of it cut my fingers before, aside from that it's good durable material but I think linen Micarta is just as durable.

Micarta comes In colors, usually duller colors, more towards earthtones but there are some that have two colors in the same piece layered together which does present some nice contrast.

You can always go with wood! I think African Blackwood is gorgeous as well as durable, cocobolo can be very beautiful and it's also very durable and a very traditional handle material for knives. There are lots of choices when it comes to wood and they don't all need to be stabilized either, which makes them much less expensive.

[Doc B]

Ditto what Dale said.

[Edgewise]

I wood choose good old warm natural wood with its almost infinite choices, from traditional maple to Brazilian Ipe with its fire rating of steel and concrete and it'll last forever.
There's also colorful recon stone which is a good durable substitute for celluloid.

[Edgewise]

Top to bottom: tiger maple, Ipe (Brazilian walnut I think), recon stone.

Left to right: lignum vitae, Macassar ebony, recon stone, stabilized spalted wood.

[Landersknives]

I've had this spear-point Kutmaster Barlow in my collection for quite some time. I bought it as a beater, knowing the scales were shrunken (I suspect heat may have been involved, as I think they're new enough to be Delrin) and the ad on both scales is not only worn, it's worn off completely in places, and those letters are engraved deep. I tend to carry it a lot, but am getting sick and tired of looking at the worn out scales. The blades themselves aren't worn down much; great snap, no wobble. So it's a pretty good candidate in my opinion.

But, I'm having a problem narrowing down what scales to have put on it, and could use some help. Preferably, I'd like something that's affordable and fairly durable for everyday use that can withstand a decent amount of abrasion and impact. Of course, something fancy I wouldn't mind either, I can always carry another Barlow--I have a ton. The choices I've given are those currently on my shortlist. If you think something else is better, I'd like to know.

DSCF1082.JPG

I would go with stag. I love stag and I have a good supply of Sambar Stag. Here are a few pics of a Robeson Barlow I put stag on before & after.

[XX Case XX]

For a working knife that's going to get beat-up on a daily basis, I'd go for Micarta. Not expensive, almost indestructible, and will last for a very long time.

__________
Mike

[tongueriver]

Large knives present a palette for interesting colors, textures, grain, etc. On a small knife like a barlow I think jet black ebony is hard to beat and is plenty durable. It does not need to be stabilized.

[KnifeSlinger#81]

I agree with Cal, put some jet black ebony on it. Then use the heck out of it. Ebony is very tough and stable, and looks better than any synthetic. You will often see old knives with ebony that is still fitted as airtight as the day it was made.

[Rotten]

I would use stabilized spalted maple if you can find a nicely figured piece, I have a set of scales set aside for some future project.
If not spalted maple then ebony.

[Steve Warden]

After mulling it over, I've got nothing.
I've seen beautiful examples of all the materials you list. I've also seen some really, really bad examples. So for me to pick one won't do, unless it's done the way I think it ought to look.