Knife performance does not start at the edge. It starts where your hand meets the tool.
I redesigned our G-10 scales for one simple reason. Function. Not trends. Not aesthetics. Not to chase sales. The goal was to build a handle that performs better in real outdoor use, every single time, and that can be manufactured consistently as we grow.
I have spent years cutting, carrying, milling, reworking, and rejecting knife scales that did not meet my standards. What you are holding on the 2026 knives is the result of that process. This is not a cosmetic update. This is a functional upgrade driven by grip, comfort, durability, and repeatability.
This article explains exactly what changed, why it matters in the field, and why these new G-10 scales outperform what most knife companies are putting out today.
Why I Redesigned the Scales in the First Place
I redesigned the scales for a multitude of reasons. The first was grip.
A knife handle should work no matter how you hold it. Forward grip. Choked up. Gloves on. Wet hands. Cold weather. If the handle only works in one position, it is not finished.
With the new design, the scales have texture and contour on every contact surface. Top. Front. Side. Every placement of the hand has intentional geometry behind it. You get grip without relying on aggressive checkering that tears your hands up.
The second reason was comfort.
The 2026 scales are more rounded than anything we ran in 2025, 2024, or earlier years. That contour does not just come from the side anymore. It comes from the top as well. That reduces hot spots during extended use, especially when carving, processing wood, or carrying all day.
The third reason was scalability and consistency.
As we make and sell more knives, the knife at serial number one has to look and feel the same as knife ten and knife one hundred. In previous years, we relied on a custom surface grind to remove the protective layer from the G-10. That introduced variation.
Now, the way we mill the scales means they come off the machine at practically the same thickness every single time. That repeatability matters for quality and long term growth.
What Changed in the CNC Milling Process
This redesign is not just about shape. It is about how the scales are made.
We tightened tolerances. We increased the number of passes. There is not a single external surface on the scale that is not milled with a quarter inch ball end mill.
We use the same tooling across the entire exterior. That allowed us to remove the half inch surface grinding bit completely. It is no longer needed.
Here is the part most people get wrong. We actually sped up the feed rate. Instead of taking large bites of material, we take smaller cuts at a faster rate. That produces a finer finish while still allowing us to complete a set of scales in five to ten minutes.
That combination gives us:
• More consistent surface finish
• Deeper, cleaner contouring
• Better alignment with the tang
• Less manual correction after machining
This is not slower boutique work. This is efficient, controlled, high-precision manufacturing.
Measurable Quality Improvements and Reduced Waste
This redesign produced measurable results.
Last year, ten to twenty percent of our scales did not meet tolerance. Those parts were either reworked or scrapped.
This year, that number is three to five percent.
That is not marketing language. That is a real reduction in rework and waste. It also means tighter quality control and more consistent knives going out the door.
Fit between the scales and the tang has also improved significantly. Gaps that existed on earlier models do not exist at all on today's knives.
Better tolerances mean better feel in hand. They also mean the knife ages better over time.
The 3D Contour and Texture Actually Matter in the Field
The deeper contour and full surface texture solve real problems.
In the field, these scales improve:
• Grip with gloves
• Grip with wet hands
• Control in cold weather
• Comfort during extended cutting
Because the scales are more rounded, you get fewer pressure points. That reduces fatigue and eliminates hot spots that show up after long sessions of use.
I am writing this in winter & have been carrying my Atlantic Blue 2026 Skur since November 1st, 2025. We are talking about 20 degree Fahrenheit weather, gloves on, extended everyday carry.
The scales perform exactly how they are supposed to. If anything, they are getting better with use.
Why We Use FR4 G-10 Instead of Standard G-10
Not all G-10 is the same.
We use FR4 G-10 (which meets UL94 V-0 standards). That is a flame retardant level four version of G-10. It is more stable across temperature changes and more durable long term.
Standard G-10 is a fiberglass based material. It can ignite under certain conditions. FR4 is engineered specifically to resist that.
This matters in outdoor use. Temperature swings, friction, sustained cutting, and environmental exposure all add up. FR4 G-10 holds up better over time.
A lot of companies cut corners here. They use lower grade materials or imported G-10 alternatives. Our G-10 is made in Ohio, USA - 100% USA MADE. Many brands are now using Chinese material instead.
Material choice shows up years later. Not on day one.
What Other Knife Companies Are Getting Wrong
I see the same mistakes over and over.
Flat slabs with minimal contour. Rough milling marks left for the sake of speed. Poor alignment between the scales and the blank.
I have seen alignment issues in person from legacy companies like Case and Buck. Over time, their consistency has gotten worse while ours have gotten better.
A handle should disappear in your hand. It should not remind you where corners were cut hundreds of miles away in our Delaware, USA shop.
A lot of knives look good online. Fewer feel right after months of use.
Lifetime Value and Long Term Ownership
These scales increase lifetime value in real ways.
You get:
• Comfort over years of use
• Reduced hand fatigue
• Fewer replacements
• Long term durability
Most people are not buying these knives to flip them. They are buying them to use them. To carry them. To rely on them.
We also run limited production each year and discontinue models at the end of the year. Prices will go up over time simply because supply is capped.
That is not the goal though. The goal is to build knives worth keeping.
Function First, Always
These scales exist for one reason.
Function.
They are not designed to sell. They are not designed to chase trends. They are not designed to photograph well on a table.
They are designed to work.
Yes, they look good. Yes, they sell well. But that is a byproduct, not the objective.
I have spent countless hours manufacturing, milling, and working with my team to code these files so the scales perform the way they do. Every decision came back to how the knife feels and works in real use.
That is what matters to campers, bushcrafters, and EDC carriers.
Final Thoughts
A knife is only as good as the control you have over it.
The 2026 G-10 scales represent a real step forward in grip, comfort, consistency, and durability. This was not a refresh. It was a rebuild of the process.
Better materials. Better machining. Better tolerances. Better performance.
That is how we build knives at Shed Knives.
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Explore the 2026 Skur here: https://shedknives.com/products/2026-skur
Know another outdoor enthusiast who may find value in this blog? Feel free to share the link of this blog with them so we can continue to educate & encourage our fellow outdoor & knife enthusiasts. Thank you for your support. - WJB
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About The Author:
Jack Billings is the 21 year old CEO and Founder of Shed Knives, a rising manufacturer of high-quality fixed blade bushcraft knives. With over 5 years of experience as a knife maker, he has developed a reputation for crafting durable, reliable knives that are designed for outdoor enthusiasts and bushcrafters alike. Jack started making knives at the age of 13 and has been refining his craft ever since.
In addition to his expertise in knife making, Jack has a High School Degree from POLYTECH High School, where he studied Automotive Technology and obtained his ASE Certification. He is also a content creator for Shed Knives and has reached the eyes of over 1,000,000 people on Shed Knives platforms across the world through his work.
When he's not working on knives, Jack enjoys exploring the outdoors and has a passion for bushcraft. He also has a passion for the automotive world and enjoys learning about new technologies and advancements. Additionally, he has a great interest in language and is studying Spanish, German, Russian, and Arabic.
Jack's personal mission is to constantly improve himself, his products, and his processes in order to stay ahead of the rapidly changing interests of the knife industry and to surpass the competition. He takes great pride in American manufacturing and is committed to contributing to the growth of the world knife industry through his work.
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