Adding thumb stud to U2

[Greg]

G'day,
I would dearly love to turn my Fallkniven U2 into an easy one-handed opener by adding a thumb stud.
Can I just drill a hole? and with what sort of drill?
Where can I buy one or two thumbstuds?
Thanks for your help.
Greg

 

[F. Allin Kahrl]

First off, studs: Koval Knives sells them here.

Second, a carbide-tipped drill will go through laminated steel, but it won't be pretty, and it won't be precise. You'll probably end up having to dab some JB Weld or something in the hole to take care of the looseness.

If you can wait till Sunday or Monday night I'll post a pic of what it looks like (I did it to a Frosts laminated blade and it's still kicking around somewhere).

If you can't wait, try and find a bit with flat faces next to the cutting edge, like a masonry bit, rather than a slanted face like an ordinary twist drill. The flat faces help keep the bit from grabbing the blade when it breaks through. Go slow, use cutting oil liberally between the bit and the blade, and wear gloves.

 

[Jebadiah_Smith]

you can simply buy a "one armed bandit" which goes on straight over the blade. No drilling required. I have never used one.

 

[Greg]

If you can wait till Sunday or Monday night I'll post a pic of what it looks like (I did it to a Frosts laminated blade and it's still kicking around somewhere).

I'd love to see a photo--I want to know how messy it is likely to be.

Re the bandit--where can they be purchased? Little knife stuff is available in Australia and Google didn't turn up anything.

Thanks,
Greg