- Joined
- Feb 22, 2015
- Messages
- 3,599
I picked this up at the thrift store one day figuring I could do something with this thick sturdy leather one day. Then I got the BK14 and the idea struck me... Scales! So I did my 15 too...
I Jasco stripped then added some other leather I had to fill the dead space to add support to keep the scales from warping and pulling away from the edges from the screw tension.
I used an old Tupperware drawer liner for the liner. The liner and leather was cut oversized and epoxied and clamped. Holes were drilled, reamed, countersunk, etc for the hardware.
I used the spare hardware from a ZK. The threaded spacers had to be countersunk into the backside, the length worked out pretty good. The lanyard hole is lined with scrap chromed copper tubing. I'm not so crazy about it. If I do it over I'd skip the lanyard hole entirely. The 15 uses the stock screws with stainless nuts as I could not get my hands on the right screws in time.
I attached the slabs then all was then sliced,cut and sanded to shape all by hand with an old hickory paring knife, sand paper, and steel wool. I used a wooden spoon wrapped in 80 grit to shape the curves and palm swell on the 15.
I coated them in melted beeswax and used a hair dryer to heat the leather so it would soak in. I left the wax in the BK15 screw holes I guess to seal it. I see no reason to remove it, I kinda like it. The wax heats up in your hand and gets sticky but doesn't leave your hand sticky.
Overall I'm very satisfied with the result. Over time the wax migrates in even more and leaves a nice smooth finish that looks like something other than leather and feels nice in the hand.
I'll do a more complete process write up when the BK5 arrives, it will match the 15.
Thanks for looking!! I'm open to comments, suggestions, and critiques!
I Jasco stripped then added some other leather I had to fill the dead space to add support to keep the scales from warping and pulling away from the edges from the screw tension.
I used an old Tupperware drawer liner for the liner. The liner and leather was cut oversized and epoxied and clamped. Holes were drilled, reamed, countersunk, etc for the hardware.
I used the spare hardware from a ZK. The threaded spacers had to be countersunk into the backside, the length worked out pretty good. The lanyard hole is lined with scrap chromed copper tubing. I'm not so crazy about it. If I do it over I'd skip the lanyard hole entirely. The 15 uses the stock screws with stainless nuts as I could not get my hands on the right screws in time.
I attached the slabs then all was then sliced,cut and sanded to shape all by hand with an old hickory paring knife, sand paper, and steel wool. I used a wooden spoon wrapped in 80 grit to shape the curves and palm swell on the 15.
I coated them in melted beeswax and used a hair dryer to heat the leather so it would soak in. I left the wax in the BK15 screw holes I guess to seal it. I see no reason to remove it, I kinda like it. The wax heats up in your hand and gets sticky but doesn't leave your hand sticky.
Overall I'm very satisfied with the result. Over time the wax migrates in even more and leaves a nice smooth finish that looks like something other than leather and feels nice in the hand.
I'll do a more complete process write up when the BK5 arrives, it will match the 15.
Thanks for looking!! I'm open to comments, suggestions, and critiques!
Last edited:
