I did something similar when I bought my S35 3. I put my old LMF green micarta scales on it and threw the black G10 scales on to my old OD 1095 3. I like the hand feel of the LMFs better, but I REALLY like the hand feel of the new ESEE micarta. Hope they put 'em up in the store soon, the texture is outstanding.
Polished it up some. Waiting on the rest of my sandpaper to come in to do that. Then I'm thinking of engraving something on it.
Since the 3's spine is too small to etch anything, for me anyway and I wanted some kind of design/texture on it. So.. Used a dremel and a couple engraving bits. Thoughts? Honesty is best, good or bad. I also sanded the screws down and did the same "stippling".
ALMOST finished. Did the final polish, added more texture to the spine and added some basic lines. Debating on adding the same texture to part of or all the blade..?? Eventually I'll add hollow knife handle pins. I'll probably need to glue the scales down then which is fine, I don't plan on replacing them. Love the feel and color. Unfortunately I couldn't get a perfect shine cause I had already mustard patina'd it and it added pits in it, but still pleased.
I just finished destroying the scales with a file I tired many ways to clean the micarta, even degreaser and it was always dirty, oily and slippery - well it just needed the rough side of a kitchen sponge and some rubbing If I had cleaned it properly before, I might not filed it. But anyway I like how it turned out, it is my EDC, I use it with wet/dirty/sweaty/gloved hands so any extra grip is welcome.
Make it yours. The ESEE platform is excellent for that. Ive done the PR4 style filing on some of mine.
Got the 3 outside for a bit today, a friend of mine got himself a property to build a house on - bordering with the forest. It will see some epic drinking for sure
Stropped my most used knife. Yeah it has a little chip at the belly but that has zero effect on cutting performance. No need to sharpen it out and put unnecessary wear on the blade. I love that knife and grab it for each cutting task - it never disappoints
My new 3HM goes to work, Four vertical rounds with kindling and tinder down the middle, It gets kind of hot, The old with the new, Well, it wasn't all work,