AK 47 handle texturing TOO AGGRESSIVE: Help!

B

BringAKnife

Joined
Oct 11, 2015
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I pulled the trigger and ordered the mini-AK 47. Should arrive any day, but I've since handled another person's and it literally shredded my pants pocket when I waved it a few times. The handle texturing is like shark teeth.

I know about nutfancy's "JB Weld" mod to cure it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl9OLKqxqZA
But honestly I don't want to do that much work. Are there no other simpler ways to fix the problem?

Some kind of smooth, permanent tape to cover the handle?

Simple sanding? But wouldn't sanding make it more rough?

Please, any suggestions welcomed. Thnx.

I hope Cold Steel reps are listening too and will do some R&D. :D
It seems to be a universal problem! :(
 
If you ordered the newer CTS-XHP version of the Mini, it has the smoother, thinner G-10. The clip will still be really tight, though, and that's a consequence of having such a short clip.
 
Kyle K said:
If you ordered the newer CTS-XHP version of the Mini, it has the smoother, thinner G-10. The clip will still be really tight, though, and that's a consequence of having such a short clip.
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No product detail about that. Just says "G-10" on Amazon.

I guess I need to sand then?

BTW, I have Park Tools hex wrenches I use for my bicycle. Will they take the screws off the clip? thnx!!!
 
I have two Recon 1's and they too had very aggressive G10, I just went over the handles with some sandpaper and it was fine for me. Not hard to do, just give it a pass and then check until you get the desired texture.
 
Sanding with aggressive sandpaper will remove material fast and leave rough marks. A low grit number is aggressive, a high grit number removes less material and leaves the material smoother. 180 or 200 grit will probably be fine, just go slowly at first until you have a feel for how much you are removing--hard to put material back on. If you want an even higher grit, they are usually more easily found at automotive or metalworking shops rather than big box stores. Most epoxy/resins and synthetic composites are hell on the respiratory system, so even though you are removing just a little bit of dust a 2 dollar filter mask can save you a horrible sinus infection or worse. In the same vein, G-10 dust is pretty itchy, wash hands before touching eyes or going to the bathroom or you might regret it.
 
BitingSarcasm said:
180 or 200 grit will probably be fine, just go slowly at first until you have a feel for how much you are removing.
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Anyone have pics of a G-10 handle that's been modified like this? I don't want to make it look super UGLY, just a little smoother. thnx!!!

I understand stretching out the clip helps too. Do I need a tool for that too?

BTW, I finally figured out that there's a NEW MODEL for 2015 with a new blade, new coating and I guess LESS GRIPPY texturing? http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/58TMCAK/Mini_AK-47.aspx

Anyone find that to be true???
 
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Not sure about the texture on the latest AKs, but if it turns out to be too rough, a light sanding with a medium grit sandpaper will fix it. On my older, rougher Talwar and Espadas I took the pocket clips off, lightly sanded the part of the scale under and around where the clip goes (can't remember if it was 400 or 600 grit, but either should work), buffed up the area a bit with a fine Scotch-Brite pad, then replaced the clips. Light pressure is key. It doesn't take much to knock off the shark tooth-esque texture. :thumbup:
 
BringAKnife said:
Anyone have pics of a G-10 handle that's been modified like this?
Click to expand...

See the Recon 1. I removed the clip, sanded lightly for 2 minutes max, and reinstalled the clip. I also bend the clip out very slightly with my fingers, but this is a ninja-level procedure and you don't want to go too far. I like all of my clips to be just a micron away from the scale. But really, if you just sand under the clip - any place where your pants will hit - you don't really need to bend the clip unless you just want to fine tune it and feel lucky.

And don't snort the G10 dust like I did, unless you want to travel to a parallel universe for 3 hours.

IMG_8199.jpg
 
Very easy. Like said, use 400 - 600 grit (I used 600 under the clip area). Do it under running water or a vacuum nozzle.
 
I sanded under mine and it's okay now. This wouldn't be so much of a problem if the clip wasn't so tight.
 
Mr. powernoodle is correct, it is very easy to do. If you want it to look very nice, you can do what I did: take off the clip, then decide what area of the scales you want to smoothen. Protect the scales by wrapping some sort of adhesive tape around the areas you don't want to sand. This creates a nice crisp line between sanded and original scales. Sand with some fairly fine sandpaper, I think I used 600 or 800 grit. It really doesn't take all that much to take the aggressive edge off. Clean with water regularly, check if you have sanded all areas equally, then clean again with a brush and soap and reattach clip. Don't breath the dust!!! :barf:
 
I sanded the handle on my Espada (as well as a few other mods) like this - light sanding with a not-too-rough sandpaper, always moving in the same direction, regularly rubbed down with WD-40 as I worked to keep it from going grey and dull. Came out great.
Be sure to thoroughly clean your knife. I always blast everything down with compressed air and then re-oil everything.
It's a personal choice of course (I have other knives that I left with the heavier texture) but it's a fun and easy mod to do
 
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