A gentleman's tanto. Stone-washing my small 21 - Updated

kidcongo

kidcongo

Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
3,195
Well, I was a bit bored with my CRK small Tanto 21. It's actually a pretty useful EDC, but I felt it needed a little something to jazz it up.

I added a leather lanyard, and did the classic stone-wash method for the slabs of using stones, a water bottle, WD40, and a dryer. I feel with the modern "satin" finish blades, there is not "too much stonewash" in the final result

Method:

- I did not scotch-brite the slabs. This stone-wash is right from the bead-blast to what you see, with no other polishing.
- took out the blade and washers and re-assembled the knife, including pivot bushing, stop pin, and back-spacer
- jammed a piece of wood under the lockbar to make if flush with the slabs.
- Removed the pocket clip
- put the assembled knife and loose pocket clip in a small water-bottle with 10 rounded stones/pebbles that were no larger than a grape, and also not small enough to get between the slabs
- sprayed a nice amount of WD40 into the bottle
- sealed the lid, wrapped it is a towel, taped the towel closed with electricians tape, and then put in a pillow case and tied that shut
- put in the dryer on Air Fluff (no heat) for 1 hour
- removed the knife and cleaned the surfaces with soap
- removed the screws and lightly de-burred/polished the screws on a coarse strop
- reassembled the knife and VOILA!!!

This was my first ever attempt at Stone-wash, and I am no rocket scientist, so I think it's fair to say the method is somewhat "Idiot Proof". If anyone has any questions that I haven't answered, feel free to ask. The look is not for everyone, but it really added some life to my small Tanto 21. It's a bit more bling, but no less functional.

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Very nice. I like the look. I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Is it a bit more slick than the bead blast; i.e. scotchbrite slick? If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently? Did you like the media you used or would you try something else next time like fishtank gravel?
 
I think for what it is, it looks good! Good job for your first time trying, wow! I love stonewashed blades/scales for their ability to hide scuffs and marks BUT i dont like stonewashed blades/scales because they hide scuffs and marks lol I might do this to one of my clips.

I think most can understand what i mean
 
Oh wow, nice job. I really like the look, I think complements the tanto very well :thumbup:
 
Corskin said:
Very nice. I like the look. I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Is it a bit more slick than the bead blast; i.e. scotchbrite slick? If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently? Did you like the media you used or would you try something else next time like fishtank gravel?
Click to expand...

The CRK bead-blast is super grippy when new, but I find once it gets a decent pocket-wash on it, it loses a little of that feel. This knife was reasonably pocket-washed so there is not a big difference before and after. It is not slick, but that might be because I did not scotch-brite it first. Also being a small, there is not much slab in contact with your hand to begin with.

I am very happy with the results and no regrets. They media I used seemed perfect. It is very sparkly in person. I don't think aquarium gravel would have the impact weight to get the bright scratch marks. If you went that way, the finish might be less pronounced, and you would also need some way to keep the gravel out from inside the knife.

If I did anything differently (or had more patience) I think ideally you would use alternative shorter fasteners to screw the slabs directly to each other, and thus avoid any stone-washing of the CRK hardware, which really doesn't look like much anyway.

Anyways......the only thing I am fighting right now is the urge to do the same treatment on a couple other of my CRKs. Gonna wait for the honeymoon to end first.
 
That looks really smart. Almost has a galvanized look to it. Did you have to re-sharpen the blade? I would assume that the process destroyed the edge, right?
 
I don't think he did the blade. Just the scales.

Thanks for the response Cody. I'm interested to see how that finish wears over time. I have been thinking about sending mine out for a Stonewash but i think you have just inspired me to give it a shot myself. In fact, I can't wait. Thanks for another great thread!
 
Corskin said:
I don't think he did the blade. Just the scales.

Thanks for the response Cody. I'm interested to see how that finish wears over time. I have been thinking about sending mine out for a Stonewash but i think you have just inspired me to give it a shot myself. In fact, I can't wait. Thanks for another great thread!
Click to expand...

It's a good idea to go slow. Make sure the rocks are round ones, and check on the slabs after 1/2 hour to make sure all is well. You also want it to be light impact, so make sure the bottle is well padded in towels so it doesn't bang hard against the dryer. The finish I achieved is only a surface treatment. The fine edges and engraving on the slabs are not destroyed.
 
Real nice, I like that a lot! Will probably hide most future snail trails too.
 
Killer Piece. I love the stonewashed look and wish CRK would offer it on some of their 21s or 25s. I would buy one in a second. Great job!
 
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