BK-9, choil modification

[Geode]

I am thinking about modifying the choil on the BK-9 to allow for an index finger indentation.

For those of you who have done this or know how to, any tips?

Thanks!

 

[afee]

I haven't done it for this particular knife, but I have a few suggestions. If you have a drill, you can but small diameter sanding drums. Go for a high abrasion sanding grit, and run it at a medium/high speed, but go slow, put little pressure into it, and don't let the metal get even more then warm to the touch. Another option if you don't have a drill is to buy either a round or half round file and go at it buy hand, with the knife locked into a vise )or tied to a stake, fence, rail, etc. if you don't have a bench). Buy a drum or file smaller then the choil you want, and work in incrememnts.

 

[Wirebender]

Also, tape off the entire area around the choil with several layers of masking tape. That drill or file WILL slip sooner or later.

 

[Yojimbo]

Pardon my ignorance, but what advantages would a choil give you on the BK9? Is it for better handling for smaller controlled cutting?

 

[RokJok]

If you have a Dremel type grinding tool, I've found it to be a good choice for putting a choil on a BK&T blade with a grinding stone bit in it. (see below) The advice already given is excellent to:
1. go slow & light (let the blade get no more than warm to the touch)
2. use a stone/file/cutter smaller than your desired choil and expand out to your finished dimension
3. tape up around the area being ground/filed

I also rounded off the edges of the choil area to keep them from digging into my finger when it is placed in the choil. It took almost as long to round them off as to put in the choil itself. But it does make for a much more comfortable choil IMHO.

-- Greg --

 

[Geode]

Yojimbo,

you are right - good for controlled cutting. Changing your grip also changes the way the knife is balanced in your hand, for instance a choil in the BK-9 would probably yield a relatively blade neutral feel since your hand is choked up on the knife. You go back to blade heavy when you assume the normal grip on the handle.

Wirebender, afee, and RokJok thanks for your insights. They all make sense and are of value. IMO, the BK-9 would be a more general purpose if the choil was designed in.

I have decided to trade my BK-9 and some cash for a Magnum Camp. It has a choil designed into the knife, is about 4 oz lighter, and will do some moderate chopping. The balance is different too. My taste has moved towards liking a slicer that will chop, instead of the other way around.

 

[Big-Target]

And, during the process, DON'T BURN THE TEMPER!!!!!