The only thing unique about replacing scales on a Busse is the flared pins/rivets.

Once you know how to remove those - Just clamp the knife in a drill press and drill out the rivets, then you can make and attach new scales just like on any other "Full Tang" knife.

Replacing scales on a "Hidden Tang" require milling out the scales to fit the hidden tang. Pre-fitting prior to gluing up and pinning is a little more detailes and important on a hidden tang.

In both cases, I recommmend finishing the parts of the handle near the ricasso "completely" prior to glueing up and pinning. In the case of most Busse knives, if you have an extended pommel beyond the handle, you would want to finish the areas around the pommel prior to attaching as well. As those areas are VERY hard to finish after installing scales to the handle.

Most people will finish out the scales to shape and fit at the spine and belly of the handle along with contouring after installing the handle.

However, depending on what type of pins you use and how you set them, it could also be good to have an approximate thickness of the handle pre-determined so when you set the pins they are at the correct depth. Some pins you just grind down with the scale material.

Busse scales are CNC cut to fit prior to installation and in almost all cases do not have any work done after installing.

Also, Busse and many other knife makers do not use glue or epoxy between the scales and tang. Some maker do for extra strength. However, in most cases, if the pins are flared or Corby bolts or some similar pins that grips the scales, epoxy is generally not needed.

If you use solid pins that don't flare, you "should" use epoxy.

If you want to replace the pins/rivets with Busse type flared pins/rivets, here are a few links to replacing the Hollow rivets/pins:

Replacing Flared Pins by Whicked

Hollow Tube Fasteners

Replacing flared pins by Randucci



Mods by Vic with other info:

Stripping and Buffing


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Here are a few VERY good posts on making custom handles:


Neck knife scales by Nick Wheeler

Knife Handle Tutorial By Daniel Koster

Spyderco Mule Team Handle Tutorial by Quickbeam



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