Adjusting the kick?

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May 26, 2011
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Okay, so I've never done anything like this before. I need to adjust the kick on one of my knives because the point of the blade rides too high. Not much, but enough that it bugs me. I'm not particularly handy and can only really sharpen with a sharpmaker. But I do have a metal file...

What's the best way to file down the kick? Should I get a dremel? Will a metal file be sufficient? And will it look terrible when my clumsy hands are done with it?
 
Slow and easy does it. I've adjusted a couple of kicks and a small file has been sufficient. Mind the edge, straight light passes and check often. A Dremel might remove too much metal accidentally and then you'll be in trouble when the blade sinks too low.
 
Don't go more than two passes with the file. You'll be shocked how much it makes a difference. Take two passes, close knife and check. If still too high, take two more passes, etc...

You can always take another pass with a file, but you can't put back the material if you take off too much.

Carl.
 
Check to make sure you have room under the edge of the blade (inside the handle). If you go too low, the blade edge will contact the inside of the backspring. Also pay close attention to how much the springs 'sink' when you take a little off the kick.

A Dremel CAN work. But, if you only need a tiny bit of adjustment, it may be overkill. I used a Dremel to remove a big part of the kick from the sheepsfoot in my Queen Cattle King stockman. The stock kick, as it existed prior, was VERY tall, so the sheepsfoot was riding very high. Combine that with D2 steel, and the Dremel was the choice. Still took some time. About 30 minutes, a little at a time, checking & re-checking the drop frequently. Does take a steady hand, though.
 
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Thanks, guys! I'm going to "slowly" adjust it with my metal file. It's a tiny little knife. I don't trust myself with a dremel...
 
That worked perfectly. It only took about four or five passes with the file to get the results I wanted.
 
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