Beckerhead Knife Making and Modification Thread

One more project in the works. One of my designs from a couple of years ago in 1095 steel .187" thick and 4.375" long. I am finally using my Wilmont LB1000. Plan is for Micarta scales and German silver pins.

 
Well you know I'm gonna like that one. :-D

Good luck finishing that curve under the handle. :-/
 
Thanks daizee, Diamond needle files work wonders. I used the diamond files on the reprofiled handles of all the modded Beckers. Coming up is a Wharncliffe in A2. 3.6"long blade, .156" thick with walnut scales and silver pins. This is the drawing I made about two years ago for the hidden tang version.

 
hawkhead said:
Thanks daizee, Diamond needle files work wonders. I used the diamond files on the reprofiled handles of all the modded Beckers. Coming up is a Wharncliffe in A2. 3.6"long blade, .156" thick with walnut scales and silver pins. This is the drawing I made about two years ago for the hidden tang version.
Click to expand...

Yep, they do... I prefer to not file those "random" inside curves, but you'll notice that all my standard models have something similar... so alas, I'm familiar with the process too.

That's a lovely wharnie drawing. How do you plan to hog out the handle for that curved tang? This seems like a very arduous step in many bowies, which is one thing that's keeping me from attempting the style.
 
I drew that Wharncliffe with a curved tang before I realized what a P.I.A. fitting would be. My tang for that style will be straight taper. Caleb White and Nick Wheeler have excellent videos on You tube.
 
Looking good, hawkhead. Got a chance to meet Caleb White at a knife show here in NH a couple years ago. Nice guy. What about cutting the handle in half, routing out the tang and then epoxying the whole thing together? I did that with a straight tang CS Trailmaster refurb.....can't really tell where the seam is, tho wood might be a tad more difficult in that regard....

16779316731_1bd6506233_b.jpg


End result, before finishing:

16639570108_0404d6e7bb_b.jpg


After finishing:

16642269897_bbb768a7bb_b.jpg


I only routed out one side - and granted, it's Micarta and it's much easier to hide the seam - but....it made it easier to get the whole thing lined up. Good lock to you and I am looking forward to seeing the end results!
 
Hi gsom, I would use the method you describe for making a Micarta handle on a hidden tang. When working with a block of walnut, I use the method Caleb White shows in his video. The channel is only slightly larger than the tang. He tapers the tang in thickness, width and cuts retention notches along with a few small holes.
 
Here is the latest blade. 1095 flat ground, .187 thick, 6.5" long and 1.375' edge to spine. Nickel silver for the guard and fancy black walnut planned for the handle. Hopefully when the blades are heat treated, finishing will go well.

 
Lookin' good, Hawk!

Give yourself the advantage, and round the inside corners of that tang/ricasso junction before you send it out for heat, especially in 1095. It would be a shame to suffer a stress riser crack during quench after all the work into that so far.
 
Quick question on aftermarket scales for the tweeners...which are more comfortable for the BK17? TKC G10 + liner or the Kabar Micarta? Thanks in advance.
 
I can vouch for the micarta. Very comfortable and nice! Never tried the other so I can't say which is better but you can't go wrong with the micarta.
 
NCSlice said:
I can vouch for the micarta. Very comfortable and nice! Never tried the other so I can't say which is better but you can't go wrong with the micarta.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I just received the BK17, and I'm thinking it needs
different scales.
 
Giving my 5 a good 'ol Fisking!
Taking it down to around .020 behind the edge and thinning the whole flat down along with it.

There were some depressions in the side that is shown as sanded, one about the size of a quarter around was dished in to the point that I had to run my 60 grit blaze to get the surrounding material off... It was as if someone took it from the temper cycle and leaned on it against a ball hitch...
It wasn't noticeable until I hit the flat with the marker and started sanding it flat, but it was a bear to get passed.

Before: just usage and patina


Now all I have left is 400 grit Norton belt and medium Scotch-Brite for finish.
Current standing:



If I don't choose to distal taper the tang, I should be done tomorrow afternoon. If I do then it will take some thinking since I only have a 1x30 and the whole tang won't fit on the platen making it a bit more difficult.

But, a 5 with this much of the flat removed is begging for the ass end to be lightened. Maybe a taper, some wood scales, and pins would work well...

This modding Crap has to end, who am I kidding... This is going to end up one hell of a turkey and ham slicer, anyone else thinking this will be the goto knife for next Thanksgiving/Christmas?
 
Last edited:
NJBillK said:
Giving my 5 a good 'ol Fisking!
Taking it down to around .020 behind the edge and thinning the whole flat down along with it.

There were some depressions in the side that is shown as sanded, one about the size of a quarter around was dished in to the point that I had to run my 60 grit blaze to get the surrounding material off... It was as if someone took it from the temper cycle and leaned on it against a ball hitch...
It wasn't noticeable until I hit the flat with the marker and started sanding it flat, but it was a bear to get passed.

If I don't choose to distal taper the tang, I should be done tomorrow afternoon. If I do then it will take some thinking since I only have a 1x30 and the whole tang won't fit on the platen making it a bit more difficult.

But, a 5 with this much of the flat removed is begging for the ass end to be lightened. Maybe a taper, some wood scales, and pins would work well...

This modding Crap has to end, who am I kidding... This is going to end up one hell of a turkey and ham slicer, anyone else thinking this will be the goto knife for next Thanksgiving/Christmas?
Click to expand...

Looking good man! :thumbup:
 
NJBillK said:
Giving my 5 a good 'ol Fisking!
Taking it down to around .020 behind the edge and thinning the whole flat down along with it.

There were some depressions in the side that is shown as sanded, one about the size of a quarter around was dished in to the point that I had to run my 60 grit blaze to get the surrounding material off... It was as if someone took it from the temper cycle and leaned on it against a ball hitch...
It wasn't noticeable until I hit the flat with the marker and started sanding it flat, but it was a bear to get passed.

Before: just usage and patina


Now all I have left is 400 grit Norton belt and medium Scotch-Brite for finish.
Current standing:



If I don't choose to distal taper the tang, I should be done tomorrow afternoon. If I do then it will take some thinking since I only have a 1x30 and the whole tang won't fit on the platen making it a bit more difficult.

But, a 5 with this much of the flat removed is begging for the ass end to be lightened. Maybe a taper, some wood scales, and pins would work well...

This modding Crap has to end, who am I kidding... This is going to end up one hell of a turkey and ham slicer, anyone else thinking this will be the goto knife for next Thanksgiving/Christmas?
Click to expand...

They be a Great slicer and the turkey won't stand a chance great mod

done with the BK5



 
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