by Jeffjuice3886 » Thu May 26, 2011 4:55 pm
Unfortunately I am not too great at designs [graphically translating into a computer based art program, etc - especially since nursing is my field lol, and plus due to my current state of health, my vision is a bit compromised], but if you did not receive some of the ideas I put out to Linda I will list them here.
There is a lot of growing popularity in "tricking/modding" knives now a days. And I think its even better when it comes from the actual makers of the knife because:
1. it would most likely fit better with the said unit its meant for.
2. it would most likely look better coupled with the said unit.
1. I think this may be the most obvious and probably brought up already, but two kinds of beads.
1a. A DPX/DPgear skull bead. I think you can use the one in the logo, hollow out the inside of the mouth, have the lanyard flow from the top of its hat [to take away the button on the top of the hat so everything is symmetrical/its not sticking out/another fine detail needed for manufacturing, so it makes it easier and look cleaner], all the way through, down to the mid/bottom of its jaw. That way you have the skull face, facing forward through whatever its strung with, and you can see the [I will use paracord as an example] paracord through the mouth. So say we use the current hest/f with the od green scale as the knife that you want to have the bead used on. And if you used pewter as a medium [of course you could also use titanium [regular, or blued/anodized, bronze, brass, sterling silver [albeit it would be quite expensive imo] ], and you could use a OD green lanyard to match the scale, and so when threaded, you could see the paracord color through the mouth of the skull. Its not a big deal, just a minor aesthetic thing I suppose. But those are some material you could use.
1b. The second type of bead I would suggest is something that looks like a ring/wedding ring etc. I find a lot of people use titanium as its base because of its ability to be flamed, lightweight + strong, can take other colors by anodizing. Not only this, but depending on the size you can have it made to be used as pace beads [albeit a little expensive, but perhaps you can sell singles, for those that like having a single round bead that fits paracords, or in a pack of X amount for pace beads, and could be made smaller/ or pre-made with para-cord choices etc.] If its like the first, where its more of a aesthetic bead, than a pace counting bead, You could also have file work done to put dpx, the skull, or other file work done on it.
2. A lot of knife users now a days like to mod their knives, and want to be different/want options. And one of the most common/sought after that I see is the handle scales. I think it is even more desired to be made by the makers of the knife, that way people know it will fit exactly to the knife without any issues in install, or fitting problems [ex having the scale be shorter, or wider than the underlying metal scale/frame]. I think you have already thought of this, so I am just putting it out there again. And having various g10 colors would be great. Such as black [or OD if people wear out their g10 or something occurs and they want a replacement], royal blue, safety orange, translucent g10/natural g11 [its a semi-translucent with a green/jade hue. Also called jade g10 sometimes], this may be a niche for groups such as the USN, but toxic green. Also you could provide scales with corrugations; this could provide, grip [perhaps slightly less weight, doubtfully any different], and a new look to the knife that people would enjoy.
2b. Another type of handle scale that a lot of people really love [but is more expensive, and may cater towards those who can afford it], is carbon fiber. There are two main types that are more appealing. [the third is just a smooth variant and doesn't provide much traction.] - The two would be
I. A weeve/twill varient [where the top layer of the knife has the fibers interweaving in a basketweave fashion. This provides a little bit more traction due to the ability to actually feel the interweaving of the carbon fiber = and looks really great imo].
II. A "peel ply" or g10-like carbon fiber. This is where the top layer of the carbon fiber is textured similarly to the g10. This provides great traction, the strength/lightness of the carbon fiber, as well as the "luxurious"sentiment that people associate with carbon fiber.