Becker, Becker 24/7

tjswarbrick

tjswarbrick

Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
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I took the plunge, and added to the stable so my 16 doesn't feel all alone.
Picked up a 7, and a 24.
Brand new this time.

7 is wonderfully balanced and feels like it'll take anything I'll ever ask of it.

24 is razor sharp, and does not exhibit any of the surface rust I've seen mentioned on some other threads.

No pics today - can't get the camera to take a decent shot, and the phone is down for the count (eagerly awaiting warranty replacement.)

I've already worked up a pair of brown/natural burlap mycarta scales for the 24. Need more consumables before I can prep the 7 scales. Thinking the same stuff, but layering with some white G10 and / or contrasting linen micarta.

Now to think about stripping and forcing a patina.

Is it worth trying to force a patina of the 24? D2 is "nearly" stainless, and I'm afraid I'll lose that amazing factory edge. Maybe I'll wait a year or so until it needs to be resharpened, and see how it looks naturally.
Also, does the 24 have one of the plastic sheaths that's known to dull the blade?
I need to build up some funds and finish up the scales before I decide kydex, leather or some combination and set about getting some pants for these guys.

Anyway, if I wasn't out here in Caly "land of no concealed fixed blades", working in and office 95% of the time, at least I COULD have a Becker on me 24/7 now.
Side note, after a 418 day wait, my HDS Clicky showed up the same afternoon. It was a very good day!
 
Finally - some Pics!

The 24/7 combo:
24_7_diag_zpsba66e225.jpg

24_7_horiz_zpsf628c733.jpg


The scales of the 24, ready to be worked. They're only .210" thick, so I'll be adding some liners.
16_and_24_Scales_zpsc5ee3e3f.jpg


Bondo fiberglass Epoxy resin is terribly amber in hue, but for the rattlesnake effect with the tan and brown burlap it seems to work. So I did it again.
The 24 is currently stuck in an onion with some mustard - seeing what that'll do to the D2. I waxed, oiled and taped the edge in an effort to not honk it up. Thing is razor sharp out of the box!

Did some cherry and orange tree pruning with the 7. Love it. No damage to the coating :( so stripping and patina will wait until I get those scales laid up.
 
I'd like to see some images of the patina on the 24. If it took well or not.

That's a nice 7. I think it looks nice not stripped. My next BK will be a 9 though, and I'm planning on leaving the coating on it but adding SS.
 
I left the 24 with the mustard on it in the onion for about 45 minutes. Then I left it in the air to dry for an hour. Then I re-applied some mustard and stuck it back in for 3 hours. Then I pulled it out and let it sit, overnight, without cleaning. The gray stonewash finish might, possibly, be a slightly darker gray. The camera doesn't even pick it up.
Who says D2 isn't stainless?

BK7 Chestnut sheath material?

IMG_2396_zps94db358d.jpg
 
Last edited:
tjswarbrick said:
I left the 24 with the mustard on it in the onion for about 45 minutes. Then I left it in the air to dry for an hour. Then I re-applied some mustard and stuck it back in for 3 hours. Then I pulled it out and let it sit, overnight, without cleaning. The gray stonewash finish might, possibly, be a slightly darker gray. The camera doesn't even pick it up.
Who says D2 isn't stainless?
Click to expand...

I've been using my 24 heavily in the kitchen for about 4 months (won it in a contest last fall so I've had it for a little longer) and not a single stain or natural patina yet.
 
I finally finished up the scales on my 24 and 7. On the 16 seen here, I alternated 3 natural with 2 brown layers of burlap. On the 7, I went 3 brown and 2 natural; I was running low, so on the 24 it was 2 brown and 1 natural. The 2 latest add a thin white G10 liner, and thick maroon linen micarta. Topped off with stainless micarta.

The 24 and 7 were soaked in, and rubbed with, a hot solution of 4 kinds of vinegar, lemon and lime juice, yellow mustard, and Tapatio sauce.

Psyop did the awesome leather pants for all 3. I told him my scales are oversize. I did not send him any of the knives, but they all fit like they were formed directly. Just great work on the 7 dangler, 16 bushcrafter, and 24 cross-draw.

Now for the pics:









 
bigghoss said:
Very cool. Now you need a BK9. You can't not have a 9.
Click to expand...

And a 2, and a 5, and a 15...

Perhaps one day. For now, this works.

Thanks guys. I'm very happy with my scales - and highly recommend the leather, if you need some.
 
Those look so good. I especially love the rattlesnake scales. I can't wait to start customizing mine. You just moved the bar way up for me. :thumbup:



tjswarbrick said:
I finally finished up the scales on my 24 and 7. On the 16 seen here, I alternated 3 natural with 2 brown layers of burlap. On the 7, I went 3 brown and 2 natural; I was running low, so on the 24 it was 2 brown and 1 natural. The 2 latest add a thin white G10 liner, and thick maroon linen micarta. Topped off with stainless micarta.

The 24 and 7 were soaked in, and rubbed with, a hot solution of 4 kinds of vinegar, lemon and lime juice, yellow mustard, and Tapatio sauce.

Psyop did the awesome leather pants for all 3. I told him my scales are oversize. I did not send him any of the knives, but they all fit like they were formed directly. Just great work on the 7 dangler, 16 bushcrafter, and 24 cross-draw.

Now for the pics:









Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys.
I appreciate the kind words.

It's a lot of work, but I find it worthwhile in the end.

I see plusses and minuses to going this route. Doesn't really save any $$$ compared to buying factory micarta. The fit winds up slightly better, if I do my part. But the shapes aren't as even. Obviously, the materials and colors are a matter of taste. They're mine all mine. That 24 took a long, long time...

At the least, it lets me hide in the garage for a while. May have to do a couple more of those lanyards to finish up the set.
 
Nice looking trio! Those three blades will accomplish virtually any task you could require of them. Some day I'll add a BK16 to my 14 and 2 and I'll be good to go - small, medium and large.
 
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