and now i get it. and i got it. the BK17. WIP.

TPVT

TPVT

Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
5,768
hey all.
i have wanted to get a becker for a while. this is an active forum and everyone seems to really like them. i think i even posted a little bit ago about this phenomenon and my desire to acquire said becker. i was planning to pick one up as a "project." i wanted to strip the blade and put a new handle on it.

i decided on a BK16. yup. that's what i was looking for. and looking. and now...BAM! uhhh...i got me a BK17. :rolleyes:

panzertroop had one listed for a reasonable price and i couldn't resist. i also need to thank him for doing a good job stripping the blade. sweet!

i have to say...i am super impressed. i like the blade shape. i normally prefer drop to clip point, but really like this one. i like the weight. and i like the contours. the handle is a bit too thin (for me), and i don't prefer the countersunk holes. the middle one is right where my middle finger grips the handle. but that's perfect! now, i have an "excuse" for swapping it out! :)

without further adieu....here she is
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as i said, this will be a project knife. apparently, i really love making the handles. who knew? i have only done a few, but really like the process. anyway...i like doing it, and will be taking pics along the way...so, i will treat this thread as a WIP. i know i have learned a lot from others' WIP threads.

damn...i'm a wordy SOB...here...have another pic....

scales are already gluing up!
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i will come back to post my progress.
 
thanks cooper! using thin black micarta liners over stabilized mahogany. also plan to use black micarta pins.
 
Dammit man, I'm trying to resist getting a 17. This isn't helping at all.
 
Subscribed. Been fighting the call of the 17 as well. This will probably end that battle, thanks.
 
Uhhh...i'm back! where did the time go? well, i finally got around to doing some work on the BK17. So, let's get back to this WIP thread.

I had a change of plans. i have been experimenting with making "micarta". i will be using these natural burlap scales with thin, black G10 liners.
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first, gotta drill the holes. you will notice the duct tape. i have made a few handles before and it is diffucult keeping the handle in the same "spot" while drilling. so today, i used the duct tape. and, i must say...it worked well.
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next, cut out the pattern. there are many different ways to do this. i know some trace the handle and then just cut it out. i like to pin the handle right to the scale and cut that way. that way, i can get real close to the tang without worrying about taking too much off.
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make sure to shape the blade end of the handle prior to attaching the scales.
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at first, i was going to skip doing the lanyard hole. it's easier. but, then i decided to go ahead and do it. i knew this was the part that was going to get me. the exterior diameter of the tube was about 9/32". the hardware store didn't have a 9/32" bit. i had to use a 1/4" bit to open up the lanyard hole on the steel and the micarta. then, i had to use a round file to open it up to fit the tube.
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i told the guy at the store, as i was thinking (I asked him if they had any 9/32" bits): "Well...i guess i will have to use 1/4 and then use a round file....but, it isn't going to be straight." and, that is precisely what happened. the hole is not perfectly round. when i epoxied, i made sure to add a bunch around the hole to fill it. i hate to do it, but i don't want to waste the whole scale. this will be my knife, so i will not be too particular. you have no idea how hard it was for me to accept this. :D

ironically enough, i was at a local hardware store this evening, and they had a 9/32" bit. i checked lowes before, thinking if anyone was going to carry them...they would. d'oh!! :o

here is a rough, in-hand shot prior to gluing up.
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and now...we wait.
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Nice Todd, your tool set and skills seem to be coming along really quickly, neat idea on the pins before rough cutting them to!
 
I'd like to see it finished off, too! I've used micarta pins on two Spyderco Mules and a small skinner.
 
Thanks for taking the time to post this up. I made some micarta out of black denim jeans last summer and have yet to make any scales of it. Never done any handle scales before so the pictures and explanations help. I like the look of that burlap. I've always wanted to try and make some scales out of hemp
 
Are we done waiting yet? this was last night. Is it done yet???
 
Nice project, all along I was waiting on the drop point...in the end I settled on the clip. I really like the BK-17 I have. One of my students was trying hard to talk me out of it, then I told her the price and she ordered her own.
 
mistwalker said:
Nice project, all along I was waiting on the drop point...in the end I settled on the clip. I really like the BK-17 I have. One of my students was trying hard to talk me out of it, then I told her the price and she ordered her own.
Click to expand...

Same story here (minus the student). I wanted the BK16, but saw this BK17 at a price i could not pass up. and, i'm glad i didn't.

if this all goes according to plan, i will put the same handle on the BK2. I have another set of scales already made up. I made them a bit thicker, as i had planned them for the Bk2.

thanks for the note mistwalker.
 
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