BK14 Got a bit of a nose job ;) (BK14 Mod)

I

iwouldhurtafly

Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
1,875
For what seems like the longest time now I have been tempted to modify my BK14 into a clip point. A long straight no swedge clip point, but for one reason or another I have decided against it. I have been hankering to do some knife work lately and well today I was thinking about it and decided, "why not?" I have drawn up a couple different things, did mock ups etc etc, but as I was taping up and marking the blade I changed my mind, and I am kinda happy I did. Basically instead of clipping the point I just changed the drop point into a more gradual drop. Very reminiscent of what some other members here (Hawk, and Derek) have done to their 14/24's. I also wanted to add a little challenge to this and I was watching kids, so the only tools/items I used were a couple files, a pair of vice grips, some painters tape, some emery cloth, and a sharpie. I was actually pretty surprised how quickly everything went together, probably have around 45 minutes or less in it. I had this post all completed with some more detail.... but the post did not take, so hopefully it will work this time. Couldn't get any WIP pics because my phones camera bought the farm today and had to wait to take pics... technology really hates me today :D

Well, like it or hate it, here it is...

Before, as of Monday...


And after...




Also cleaned up all the grind lines on the spine/tang, and sharpened/squared up the spine. Very sharp spine now.


Here are some comparison pics with a BK11 so you can better see what I did. Admittedly it is not a dramatic change, but I really like it. Tried to match the curve of the drop with the curve of the handle. I think it flows pretty good.




Also this type of drop point to me looks a lot like what is on my SYKCO 311, kinda similar. Sorry for the fuzzy pics.



All in all I am very pleased with how things came out. All I did was tape off the areas I was not working on and marked it up with sharpie to help keep my filing square and even. Sharpie also helped make sure I got all the rough grind lines out. Clamped on some needle nose vice grips to act like a file guide. However, using a vice would make this a lot easier. I was multitasking and watching the kiddos in doors so I just did it free hand. Used a double cut file first, then moved to a single cut. Then I used some worn 150 emery cloth taped to a smaller file to clean everything up. I left the flats of the blade as is because it has some well earned patina and scratches and I like the look. Will probably open up the finger/choil area later, but I like it as is for now.

Well folks, thanks for looking, have fun out there.
 
That looks awesome!
I'm really liking the looks of these drop point mods....a lot!
I might have to give this a try.
Nice work man!
 
That looks great, nice improvement. The best part of modding your knife is you are making the knife yours. Even better when it looks as good as yours does.
 
Very nice job on that. I think it looks better than stock, and you are to be given extra credit for doing it while watching kids. I know what that's like...those devils make anything impossible hahaha.
 
Nice work...... A more organic look from the long arc in back...... I like it.....

Ethan
 
Thanks yall! I really like how it turned out and it was surprisingly easy to do with simple tools. I would not go as far to say its an improvement over the original design, but it is definitely different. I just really like how the lines flow from the drop point back into the cant of the handle. I really like Mr. Ethan Becker's drop point on the 11/14/24, its kind of like the Loveless drop point, and thats why this one sat un-modded for so long. Got the bug to work some steel and well this satisfied! Been using it to cut everything since I modded it, and well like I said, I am very happy with it.

Thanks again yall for your kind words.
 
I like the mod! Nice work man. It's weird how the blade actually looks a little longer now. Very cool!
 
Dexwithers said:
I like the mod! Nice work man. It's weird how the blade actually looks a little longer now. Very cool!
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Yah I noticed that too while I was filing it out! So funny how something so small like this can change your perception. Now I am looking at it thinking... Well, how about some new scales? LOL! My already bad sickness is getting worse, I just have the knife fever... Of all people I am sure you understand ;)
 
It only get's worse my friend. And I think some new scales would look sick on that blade! Wood, G10, or micarta would all look good so you really can't go wrong.
 
Dexwithers said:
It only get's worse my friend. And I think some new scales would look sick on that blade! Wood, G10, or micarta would all look good so you really can't go wrong.
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Yes sir I think some "full coverage" type scales that filled up the top finger area would be amazing... then I would have to make a new sheath lol! Will have to see what comes of it.
 
iwouldhurtafly said:
Yes sir I think some "full coverage" type scales that filled up the top finger area would be amazing... then I would have to make a new sheath lol! Will have to see what comes of it.
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Sounds like that would work. And a new sheath for sure. Maybe two, a kydex and a leather so you have options.

And after your done with all that, you are gonna see something you could have done different or better, so you then order a new new knife to try the evolved mods on. haha. The circle never ends.
 
Taking advantage of continuing the arc through to the blade tip gives a more streamlined appearance to a really great little knife. Good work.
 
That is too cool! I thought it was a 24 looking at the finish. Nice job on that too.
 
That's great, I've been thinking of doing the exact same thing with my 24. It looks really nice, thanks for sharing!
 
Is that SYCKO all it's cracked up to be? It looks pretty awesome, has some great (albeit not as prevalent) marketing. Is it too small to take advantage of all the amazing steel and stuff, or is it as awesome as it sounds. Can't think right now, sorry if this is worded oddly.
 
Febeleh said:
Is that SYCKO all it's cracked up to be? It looks pretty awesome, has some great (albeit not as prevalent) marketing. Is it too small to take advantage of all the amazing steel and stuff, or is it as awesome as it sounds. Can't think right now, sorry if this is worded oddly.
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Yes! Its a great blade... BUT there are some things to consider about it... First, its a rubberized handle (Res-C) and some dont care for it, I like it cause it gives a lot of cushion during hard cuts and has a warm comfy feel. Some say its too small, but I think the fit is real good for me. Second, its 3/16ths of an inch thick so it is not particularly slicey, this is also because it is Saber, flat, convex ground, but its a good solid cutter. Third, the edge was thick from the factory, I thinned it out which made it cut a lot better. Holds an edge really really well, the 52100 is not magical, but it is real good. So yes, I love it... Its basically an overbuilt pocket fixed blade.

BUT is it better than the 14? Is the 14 better than the 311? How do they compare? Which has a better steel? Well I bought the 311 as kind of a "compliment" to the 14... So they are alike in a lot of ways, but pretty different. Its a really hard comparison... I plan on actually doing a side by side comparison between the two on the forums at some time... a head to head with a couple other blades, just working out the format. Both are incredible blades.
 
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