Aluminum handle tacticalizing

N

naturecop

Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
16
Folks-
Just got an aluminium WW2 (thanks Craig). Any ideas on how to subdue the handle? It looks a mite shiny sticking out of my patrol pack- it has replaced my Cold Steel. Preferably something I could do myself, and permanent.
 
What about some grip tape on the handle? While not really 'permanent', it can be easily replaced when it gets dirty.
 
I would suggest rubbing the handle down with a scotchbrite (tm) pad to give it a satin finish.
I believe there are some chemicals available
(Brownells would have them) that blacken aluminum. I have not personally tried them.

--Mike L.


------------------
Real men ride Moto Guzzis!
 
Here are two ideas:

You could wrap the handle with cloth tape and brush it with a few coats of a liquidy 24 hour epoxy. This would be a darker, more tactical color, 100% waterproof, able to withstand lots of abuse, and provide a tactile gripping surface. Of course, it would also be very permanent, for better or worse.

Or an idea I've had for a while but not yet tried is to get some of that spray-on rubberized pickup truck bed liner that comes in an aerosol type spray can, and spray the handle with that. It would be flat black, and should provide a superior textured & maybe slightly spongy grip, which I suspect would absorb shock and vibrations very well. Has anyone had any experience with this product? Would this idea work? I think it would be perfect for aluminum handled khuks.

FWIW, I personally wouldn't want a bare aluminum handled knife in the field--especially in the winter time. I think some kind of permanent, textured covering or coating is the way to go. IMO aluminum handles provide a perfect platform for customizing the grip of your khuk.

Chris



[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 07-16-2000).]
 
The Gurkhas tape their SN1s. They have horn handles, so the tactical thing isn't much of a concern (other than shine). Try taping it to see what happens. It'll have the effect of winterizing the khukuri in case you do any cold-weather training. Wouldn't want flesh sticking to the wrong end of the khukuri now!

------------------
Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
Blade Forums Sponsor
 
What about this?

Stop at the hardware store (like Lowe's) and get some Plasti-Kote (it's usually found near the paint/glue/epoxy area).

Basically, it's the stuff that comes on the handles of pliers. You can get it as a spray-on or in-the-can liquid.

I've seen it in red, blue, yellow, and black. The neat part is that it's rugged, but not permanent. You can also build-up coats for the perfect thickness.

The only problem I forsee is that the final coat will dry with a *shine* unless you wait until it's almost dry and roughen it up.

Chris
 
Ooops, sorry X-head...

I read down through the posts to quickly.
My appologies for the redundancy, guys.

Chris



[This message has been edited by Chris S. (edited 07-18-2000).]
 
Thanks fellas for the options. I'm going to go w/the aluminum bluing, as well as bluing the brass and blade, after Scotch-briting everything. I like the alum/smooth grip - no blisters. Winter environ?, I'm in the Adirondack Mts., we'll have snow in 3 more months, then gloves are standard kit. BTW, the CS khukri sheaths fit the WW2 perfectly.
- Cheers and thanks again.
 
Thanks for your help.

I placed an order for cold blue and it was already shipped. I was hoping I could add the brass black but oh well.

Craig or naturecop: Question: How much of the cold blue does it take to do one khukuri? Does a little go a long way? If it comes out good I'd like to do the rest of mine. I ordered the 8 ounce bottle but if I need more I might as well order it with the brass black. Thanks in advance.
 
A little does go a long way. Degrease the surface w/solvent, apply the blue in long swathes, keep applying 'til dark enough, wash off extra w/H2O, annd apply gun oil- the bluing is controlled oxidation/ie; rust.
Cheers
 
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