2012 Forum Knife. Make it your Own!

[waynorth]

first thing I did was round all the steel edges so that It rode nicely in my pocket without snagging or excessive pocket wear. I also added some green compound to the spring/blade sliding joint so that they would "lap in" and smooth out a bit more quickly.

I've been on the verge of trying to change mine from a two bladed model to only the Wharncliff. I just can't figure out how to undo the pins. Do I just attack them with a center punch, or do I need to remove the head of the mushroom with a drill or dremel? Also, any tips on how to locate the pivot pin since it is so nice and polished. I've searched for a traditional disassemble / reassemble thread, but the best I've come up with is an exploded parts diagram and the GEC works in progress pictures.

The best way to disassemble a pocket knife, without marring the surfaces is to cut the pins!
I have a worn but sharp old chef's knife, with a thin blade, and I tap it through the pins. It will slip between a blade and liner, with persuasion (small hammer). Then you can easily tap out the pins from the inside if you set the "halves" over a hole in an anvil with a heavy protective piece of leather.
Drilling the pins will screw up the drillings in bolsters etc. This cutting method - a standard procedure BTW, keeps everything intact. Of course you have to keep the knife straight and upright, and take care not to gouge the liners.
Hey, this is fun. I can't wait to see what else can be done to personalize one's forum knife.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Nice subtle mods Charlie, Sturzi...that was real impressive!...both showing excellent results.

 

[sturzi]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Sturzi, that is a killer idea!! What size is that file??
Are you an expert machinist, or just very patient?

I used a 6mm file (according to google 0.23622 inches). Turns out this really is the sweet spot. If you use a bigger file it gets difficult to completely remove the three grooves without reaching the bone (there's about 0.4mm left between the groove and covers), but if the file is smaller you will reach the liners.
I'm not a machinist, just familiar with using tools and certainly no expert at that Fortunately nickel silver is really easy to work with and it took me less time than I thought it would.

 

[pertinux]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Add mine to the praise!

I was disappointed to see the "standard" GEC three-thread bolster after the promise of rat tail. Your modification looks great!

I'm not a machinist, just familiar with using tools and certainly no expert at that

You certainly do nice work. Yours is the modified coping blade on the Outlaw, yes?

~ P.

 

[reader1]

My Sincere Thanks to Charlie for this thread.

I am new to the jigging and color of this bone. What does GEC call the jigging? I think this was mentioned in one of the many GEC threads. The color or type of bone?

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I did like idea of darkening the bone.

Like many of you, I like older vintage knives, and I am reluctant to modify factory production, especially well done factory knives like GEC.

The mods shown in the thread above are challenging my older "do not mess with" ideas.

I have appreciated the comment and and criticism.

I sincerely Thank Charlie for this very delightful and thought provoking Waynorth thread.

Mike H.
Looking for a 2009 Blade Forum Barlow knife.

 

[bakerg2g]

Charlie the bone looks great darker.. Nicely done! The rat tail bolster Sturzi did looks wonderful!


Jason

 

[sturzi]

You certainly do nice work. Yours is the modified coping blade on the Outlaw, yes?

Thanks and yes, although that was much less work. I guess I like tinkering with my knives, gives me an excuse to fondle them a bit more

very sharp and proud corners on closed blades, slightly sharp bolsters

I actually like this on the knives GEC makes (mostly), the crisp edges look much better in my view compared to the over-buffed appearance of some others. This was the first one I honed a bit, and just because it would have damaged the pocket sheath over time.

 

[zcd]

I like the improvements, nicely done

 

[Knife Crazied]

Some very nice work guys

 

[Thalestin]

Looks great guys, nicely done

 

[waynorth]

Thanks Ash, et.al. for the compliments.
Mike H, while I sympathize with your quest for preferred details, I would like to keep this thread on a positive note, to celebrate these great knives we have planned and had built! None of the changes are necessary, in my opinion, and are in the area of personalization more than flaw-correction. GEC does a great job on these production knives.
And, they have provided training and jobs for people essentially off the street!
I am proud to be associated with them, and proud of their work. There are plenty of threads to complain about flaws. Let's keep this one about making good things even better!!

 

[reader1]

Charlie et al,

I am Sincerely Sorry if I sounded like I was complaining.

I have the highest regard for GEC Quality and GEC Quality Control.

I would like to thank everyone involved for the Great Forum Knife that you planned and had built. I bought two of them.

I agree that none of the changes are necessary, and are in the area of personalization more than flaw-correction.

GEC does a great job on these production knives.

I agree that you should be proud to be associated with them, and proud of their work.

I did not think I was complaining. I have never asked these questions before and it was only that I erroneously thought that they were raised here that I asked. I sincerely apologize for my error.

Before this thread, I did not think of asking these questions or even mentioning these minor items.

I have not ever modified a GEC knife in any way, and I was curious about the particulars.

"Like many of you, I like older vintage knives, and I am reluctant to modify, polish or buff factory production, especially well done factory knives like GEC."

I will ask my questions about the GEC Bone Color and Bone jigging in one of the other GEC threads.

The "three thread" (3 line) bolster that GEC put on this 2012 Forum Knife is fine.

My sincere apologies if I (and I obviously Have) offended.

Mike H.
Looking for a 2009 Blade Forum Barlow Knife.

 

[Gevonovich]

Sturzi and Charlie
Great work on your personal touches! Nice to learn what can be done and how to do it.

 

[waynorth]

Water under the bridge, Mike H. I am not offended in the least! Thanks for explaining. I hope you get all the answers you seek!

 

[T. Erdelyi]

There are lots of things ya can do, like usin dark tea to darkin the bolster, puttin' a nice petina on those 1095 blades, if your're real adventurous, ya can take some needle files and maybe a dremel and do some of your file work and notches.

Fine tune the secondary bevels, give it a more pocket worn feel by breakin' the harsh edges on the spine, roundin' out the bone alittle

 

[T. Erdelyi]

1 thing I think I'm gonna do is put a lanyard in the back to make it easier to retrieve from my deep/back pocket carry.

 

[russde]

1 thing I think I'm gonna do is put a lanyard in the back to make it easier to retrieve from my deep/back pocket carry.

Ted, please post a wip if you follow through on this idea...I've been considering the same thing and would love to have a guide of sorts.

 

[Lycosa]

Wow! Great thread and congratz on everything!!
Rolf

 

[swonut]

First of all, THANKS to all who worked so hard to come up with a beautiful knife. My modding it is just to make it carry in my pocket easier.

So, as I carried it over the past few weeks, I found that I loved and only used the wharncliff blade and so I thought, just take the spey blade out.

Inspired by this thread and the advice I got on my previous post, I fired up the drill press and mustered up some courage.



Next I tapped out the pins and used the blade technique to work on the pivot pin. I decided to not cut through the pins, but rather to use the utility knife blade to start the process of sliding the bolsters off. I also needed to reuse the pins, so destroying them was not a good option.



Next I disassembled the layers keeping the wharncliff blade and spring attached to the back scale.



Then I put it all back together in the slim version, peened over the pins and polished out the file marks.



Overall, I'm very happy, but should have left more material proud before I used the nail set to to rivet the brass pins down. They are sturdy, but just look a little anemic.

Thanks to all who shared the knowledge that gave me the courage to drill into such a nice knife.

 

[Boggs]

No way....looks great to me.......a single blade wharnie...I hope GEC takes note...................so where do you feel you were to conservative and gone a little more proud....