and now for something complletely different...

[on_the_edge]

I have a Cold Steel Recon Tanto and like the Carbon V, but have found that the tanto shape has very limited use to me. Is it practical, or even possible without damaging the steel, to have someone alter the shape of the blade to something like a drop point? I would not want to spend tons of $ on it, as I think I bought it for about $100 when I got it some years ago.

Dumb idea, good idea? Let me have it, folks!

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I have never found the tanto (it really isn't correct) shape useful.
Perhaps you could find a custom maker to do it. Do a search for T bar K knives.
Bill

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes you could do it and it would not even take that long. Any custom maker could do it as could you with a dremel or belt sander. It would take a *long* time though when benchstones.

-Cliff

 

[rebeltf]

I agree on the tanto shape , my least favorite.
I too own a Recon CS , I've thought about re-shaping the blade too but I cant see how I could do so and still have a decent looking blade , the tanto sort of spear heads , the amount of steel you would have to remove to make it look right would render the blade much shorter and even more useless IMO.
Make sure if you decide to do it yourself that you dont heat the blade up and blow the temper.

 

[Kaizen1]

Isn't the Recon Tanto pretty much an SRK with a (very) slight curve on the spine and a tanto point?

 

[on_the_edge]

Yes you could do it and it would not even take that long. Any custom maker could do it as could you with a dremel or belt sander. It would take a *long* time though when benchstones.

-Cliff

Cliff, I do have a dremel. What shape and material bit (or bits) would you suggest to handle Carbon V adequately, but not too fast?

the amount of steel you would have to remove to make it look right would render the blade much shorter and even more useless IMO.
Make sure if you decide to do it yourself that you dont heat the blade up and blow the temper.

Funny, shortening the blade and messing up the temper were the two big concerns I had too. I think I can address the blade length issue with some careful thought and pre-planning, but what temperature should I consider to be...problematic so far as the temper goes? Anyone have any idea?

Isn't the Recon Tanto pretty much an SRK with a (very) slight curve on the spine and a tanto point?

I think this is correct. I'm just not familiar with the SRK to speak to a comparison, but yes, there is a very slight curve to the spine of the Recon Tanto.

 

[rebeltf]

but what temperature should I consider to be...problematic so far as the temper goes? Anyone have any idea?

If it's too hot to touch , is the rule of thumb , I believe.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You won't hurt the temper under 400 degrees. Remember- water boils at 212 degrees. If the steel turns blue, immediately quench it in water.
I would recommend using a new, single cut, mill bastard file for most of the work, and hand sanding to finish.
Bill

 

[on_the_edge]

Hmmm, sounds good to me. Although I am not too worried about hitting 400 degrees with a hand file!!!

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Filing 59 HRC 50100-B is a slow task. You can do it with really coarse grinding wheels on a dremel, just don't do too much before you cool it.

-Cliff