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Any worthwhile knife modifications you can suggest?

W

Windwhistler

Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
281
I was going through what has worked well for me vs. what has not. I gave away several the other day that were just too light or oddly shaped in the hand or oddly balanced. And looking at what I have kept and enjoy using, noticed that I have modified several a good bit. Have you modified anything and found it to throw harder or more accurately or even just feel better in the hand?
 
This is the sort of thing I am asking. This knife has three modifications. The handle scales are underlaid with shoe goo to stop vibration and noise when I miss. The handles are stippled with a roto-tool to increase grip and the blade has two holes placed so that they don't weaken anything but move the balance point toward the handle a bit.




 
Those holes were done on a milling machine with a carbide cutter. I have occasionally done similar ones with a carbide bit and a slow drill press using a very gradual increase in pressure and pouring oil or water over the blade while the bit is cutting. The holes are never quite as clean that way. Back in the 80's I decided to add a weeping heart to this hawk. Three carbide bit holes on the drill press followed by about 8 hours of file work.
 
Really smart stuff with your mod, Windwhistler.

I was thinking of attaching the handle scales like that as well. I just got a Perfect Balance thrower, and I've been thinking of ways to keep those on.
 
This is a great handle design for use and throwing both I think due to it's flat spine. I have made several sort of like this out of that plastic outside deck material. From time to time I find a piece in the cull rack of the local Home Depot and pick it up for about $2. That much will make about 10 pair of waterproof and almost indestructible grips that have enough grain for a good grip and a semi soft/warm feel. They have several colors but I only seem to find the gray. Anyway, it looks great with a black blade or parkerized finish. The grips on my Becker-9 are of this material and cost about 30 cents and two hours spare time labor.

A quick added note about shoe goo. (by the way I don't work for them) I've mentioned it several times before and have found it to be an incredible product. And yes, it will re-bond shoes when the heels or soles come off. I've even used it to put a layer of soft leather on my wife's shoe soles to keep down noise while she is walking onstage. But what I like about it is that when smeared on the tang it dampens the noise and vibration of thrower handles and is a good enough bond to keep screws in their holes from vibrating out. It seals and prevents movement in a cord wrap and is watertight. But when you want it gone, it will pull off with force and leave both glued surfaces untouched like it was never there! I do a good bit of restoration on antique furniture and use it all the time. Think in terms of epoxy that can be removed without damage to the piece. You can find it almost anywhere and it is cheap.
 
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