hi there!
Years ago I got myself a Camillus BK7 love it but the handle just was to slick and when my hands go wet it got impossible for me to use the knife safely. So I modified the handle. The same story with the Kabar BK7 I bought a month back. Lovely knife with the very nice big ego handle but to slick.
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Camillus square pattern
I moderated the handles of a Camillus BK7 by using a iron saw and sandpaper. I made the square pattern as seen on the picture. It improved the grip drastic and the knife is used in every weather we got over here!
- Remove the handles.
- I sanded the handle more round so it would feel better. Especially around the pommel so a 3-finger grip can be used during chopping with full control and comfort.
- The square pattern was drawned free-hand with a pencil followed by the saw. depth around 0,5-1 mm max
- With sandpaper I made the grip profile more smooth and less edgy. For gloved hands you can keep the edges made by the saw.
kabar round pattern
For the Kabar BK7 I just did a second mod with the standard Becker handles. A round pattern this time. It is pretty easy and looks great when you pay a lil attention. The grip is phenomenal!
- Remove the handles.
- I sanded the handle more round so it would feel better. Especially around the pommel so a 3-finger grip can be used during chopping with full control and comfort.
- I made a template using mm paper (see picture). Pierced the paper with a pencil,tape the tamplate to the handle and dwawed it unto the handles.
- With a round tip of a soldering iron I made the pre-drill holes. But a paperclip and candle will do the trick also.
- With a 12v hand drill and a 4mm steel drill bit I followed the lil holes. Don’t overdo this because the handle material is not very thick!! I put tape around the drill bit so the tip is uses only. depth around 1-2 mm max
- Remove the edges with a larger drill bit that u use in your hand. Twist between your fingers with very little pressure. I used a 8mm. This is optional to do.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Both handle mods are done with basic tools and skill. The both improve the grip a lot even in wet conditions. I equally like the round one more!
Most of my knife have modded handles. Sand them more round, put a pattern on them them, remove unwanted corners/edges and/or just improve the comfort in different grips. Some others I have done: Micarta of a Ontario-RAT TAK, FRN of a several Byrd’s, Mora Plastic and Kraton G from a Kabar bowie.
I like to see your modifications! stippeling, wood, micarta....does not have to be a Becker.
Years ago I got myself a Camillus BK7 love it but the handle just was to slick and when my hands go wet it got impossible for me to use the knife safely. So I modified the handle. The same story with the Kabar BK7 I bought a month back. Lovely knife with the very nice big ego handle but to slick.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Camillus square pattern
I moderated the handles of a Camillus BK7 by using a iron saw and sandpaper. I made the square pattern as seen on the picture. It improved the grip drastic and the knife is used in every weather we got over here!
- Remove the handles.
- I sanded the handle more round so it would feel better. Especially around the pommel so a 3-finger grip can be used during chopping with full control and comfort.
- The square pattern was drawned free-hand with a pencil followed by the saw. depth around 0,5-1 mm max
- With sandpaper I made the grip profile more smooth and less edgy. For gloved hands you can keep the edges made by the saw.
kabar round pattern
For the Kabar BK7 I just did a second mod with the standard Becker handles. A round pattern this time. It is pretty easy and looks great when you pay a lil attention. The grip is phenomenal!
- Remove the handles.
- I sanded the handle more round so it would feel better. Especially around the pommel so a 3-finger grip can be used during chopping with full control and comfort.
- I made a template using mm paper (see picture). Pierced the paper with a pencil,tape the tamplate to the handle and dwawed it unto the handles.
- With a round tip of a soldering iron I made the pre-drill holes. But a paperclip and candle will do the trick also.
- With a 12v hand drill and a 4mm steel drill bit I followed the lil holes. Don’t overdo this because the handle material is not very thick!! I put tape around the drill bit so the tip is uses only. depth around 1-2 mm max
- Remove the edges with a larger drill bit that u use in your hand. Twist between your fingers with very little pressure. I used a 8mm. This is optional to do.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Both handle mods are done with basic tools and skill. The both improve the grip a lot even in wet conditions. I equally like the round one more!
Most of my knife have modded handles. Sand them more round, put a pattern on them them, remove unwanted corners/edges and/or just improve the comfort in different grips. Some others I have done: Micarta of a Ontario-RAT TAK, FRN of a several Byrd’s, Mora Plastic and Kraton G from a Kabar bowie.
I like to see your modifications! stippeling, wood, micarta....does not have to be a Becker.
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I really like what you've done with the handles on your BK7's. Nice work. :thumbup:
