ABL Rigging Knives - Scale Material?

[herbva]

I just picked up this pair of rigging knives for cheap and am thinking of trying to restore them, or at least do something with them. Please don't laugh, I know they look pretty bad, but other than the deteriorating composite scales, all the parts are actually in good shape and the blades and spikes are very tight with incredibly good snap. The seller described them as "Korean War Belgian Army A.B.L. Sailors Knives". I haven't tried to clean them yet, so please let me know if you think I am about to destroy some valuable historic artifacts (which I doubt). One of them has "A.B.L. 1951" on the blade, so I think they must be post WW2. Has anyone worked on one of these beasts, and does anyone know where I might be able to get some similar, deeply checkered synthetic black material suitable for making the replacement scales? Thanks!

[Doc B]

I've searched all over the inter-web...without seeing anything similar. Hopefully someone will have some other intel. I think black or OD green micarta would look good on them. They will be neat, when you get them fixed up!

[Reverand]

I have a similar knife that I want to restore, and also have hesitated over the scale material.
I have been leaning toward black micarta, and finishing it smooth. Even with checkering tools (which I do not have) I don't think that I could duplicate the originals.

[herbva]

I've searched all over the inter-web...without seeing anything similar. Hopefully someone will have some other intel. I think black or OD green micarta would look good on them. They will be neat, when you get them fixed up!

Thanks Doc and Reverand. I did find an AAPK thread that shows one of these and member "Iron Hoarder" identified them as Belgian, and post WW2 ( you have to scroll down a bit).

"Yep the A.B.L ones are post WWII copies from Belgium."

viewtopic.php?t=25134

I think something like the original handle material is going to be quite difficult to find. I have some OD canvas micarta, and that might be my fallback. These 2 knives are so nasty right now, that I'm thinking about running them thru the dishwasher before I even start trying to clean them!

[Jeffinn]

Something like this might give you a similar texture. Although not exactly what’s on your knives, it would give them the same look and feel.
https://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/produc ... cales.html

[Meridian_Mike]

Yep, those covers would look great on that knife!
Good suggestion Jeff!