ATTN:Bruce Woodbury, Re: Fighting/Utility mods

[Stickfighter2]

I just ordered the Camillus F/U/Knife from 1SKS and was planning to change the handle shape from round to oval. After reading your post at the "Camillus Vs Ka-Bar" thread, I was wondering how you sanded down the leather handle. Did you use a grinding wheel, a palm sander, or did you just use a hand-held sanding block? If you did it by hand (like I'm gonna' have to do) what grit sandpaper did/do you use? Any help/tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

------------------
Stickfighter2
"I Used To Be Disgusted But Now I'm Just Amused"

"The More Corrupt The State, The More Numerous The Laws"

Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Histories III c.110 A.D.

 

[bruce]

Imagine clicking through the forums and finding your name in a topic! Boy, did it get my attention. Anyway...

I used two blocks of pine wood to cover the sharpened blade and the spine and clamped the knife in a vise so the blade was flat. Then I took a strip of sandpaper about 2 inches wide and 18 inches long (120 grit) and layed it over the handle, grabbed both ends below the handle and used an up and down motion like shining your shoes. I tried to take a little more off near the center of the handle and a little less toward the guard and buttcap. I basically followed the contours of the handle from front to back. Then I turned the knife over and did the other side. I followed up with a light sanding with a 400 grit and then used the edge of a large file to recut the grooves. I followed up the groove thing with a small round file. Next I put black shoe dye on the whole handle and let it dry. I didn't remove much material but it is a definite oval now and feels good. I clamped the butt of the knife in a very large drill press (used the shop at work) and drilled a 3/16 hole in the buttcap for a lanyard. It was hard keeping the round buttcap from moving in the clamp, it wanted to walk, so the hole is a bit ragged but works. I tied a loop of OD 550 paracord I got from the supply room of my Army unit through the hole.

I also sharpened the false edge till it was straight rather than curved, this makes it easier to sharpen in the field on a small stone.

Just a few small alterations to take a good knife and make it a little better for me. If you have any questions, e-mail me at bwoodbury@simplot.com.

Hope this helps.

Bruce

 

[Stickfighter2]

Bruce,
Thanks for the info. It helps alot.

------------------
Stickfighter2
"I Used To Be Disgusted But Now I'm Just Amused"

"The More Corrupt The State, The More Numerous The Laws"

Publius Cornelius Tacitus
Histories III c.110 A.D.