BK2 Jimping and then removing it for a thumb "ramp" or indetent

A

amp281

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Sep 17, 2012
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I added some jimping to my Bk2 but it started creating a blister in my thumb. I'd like to remove it and smooth it to a sort of indent like a choil but on the top of the blade, a thumb notch. I don't want to go very deep.

Here is a photo of the jimping I made:
bGxiDl.jpg


What tool would you guys recommend? The jimping was done with a black and decker brand "dremel" rotary tool and cut off disks. I don't want to go any deeper than the jimp lines, just a soft thumb indent. I don't know if I should try with a few files or just go with a dremel or what type of dremel disk would be appropriate. Any chances of ruining the heat treat? (I don't think so but who knows)


edit:

here is finished product
HEWxHl.jpg

zgQDzl.jpg


The surface is completely smooth, its not ridged like the photo would suggest, the lighting makes it look that way.

Black coating removed and patina added:
dFT5Jl.jpg
 
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I'd grind out the indent with a bench grinder or belt sander and then smooth it over with some sandpaper or a dremel sanding drum. Just remember to leave a tiny bit of space to your desired depth if you use the bench/belt sander option just for cleaning up the grinding area when you're done...Guessing you dont want the ramp to be covered if rough grind lines. If your worried about ruining the HT just dip it in a bucket of water after every pass or so.
 
CamH_16 said:
I'd grind out the indent with a bench grinder or belt sander and then smooth it over with some sandpaper or a dremel sanding drum. Just remember to leave a tiny bit of space to your desired depth if you use the bench/belt sander option just for cleaning up the grinding area when you're done...Guessing you dont want the ramp to be covered if rough grind lines. If your worried about ruining the HT just dip it in a bucket of water after every pass or so.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice but I don't own a bench grinder/belt sander. Can a dremel be used for that purpose?

I am pretty good with a dremel, I just work really slow with it. The jimping is quite nice that I made, I just decided to go a different direction because If I had to use this knife a lot I'd get some serious thumb blisters.
I own a ton of tools but mostly for working on cars not metal/wood.


My goal is to get a indent like the becker/camillus brute:
HpKODl.jpg


but not as deep.
 
^ What losvedese said. Start with a half round file and keep it lined up in the middle of your jimping. Then finish it smooth with a drum sander on your dremel.
 
Go with a ~2" diameter drum sander on your dremel. Go nice and slow, and if your depth is approaching more than you would like, but you have not gotten rid of all jimping, then use a bigger diameter drum. You could vice it up so that the depth you want to achieve is flush with the top of the vice so you would have to dremel through your vice to go too deep on your knife. If you do that it will make it easy to keep stepping up the diameter of the drums as needed without risking too much depth.
Have fun.
 
Great responses guys, I gotta go to the hardware store and buy

round file set
better vise
more dremel bits
 
Okay so I started using a Dremel grinding bit, then switched to a sanding drum. All I gotta say is its really simple and it looks great. I'll take some pictures once I get it a bit more finished up. I didn't bother with the file. Don't worry about the heat treatment either, its been cool to the touch each time. I am using a drop of 3 in 1 to lubricate the surface.
 
amp281 said:
Okay so I started using a Dremel grinding bit, then switched to a sanding drum. All I gotta say is its really simple and it looks great. I'll take some pictures once I get it a bit more finished up. I didn't bother with the file. Don't worry about the heat treatment either, its been cool to the touch each time. I am using a drop of 3 in 1 to lubricate the surface.
Click to expand...
Deffinately post pics! Youve had me thinking all day, and I think im gonna do the dip in my 2 like your explaining, then jimp lightly inside it. IDK though, I batton a ton, and I wonder if it will affect it adversly in any way?
 
bsmith_shoot said:
Deffinately post pics! Youve had me thinking all day, and I think im gonna do the dip in my 2 like your explaining, then jimp lightly inside it. IDK though, I batton a ton, and I wonder if it will affect it adversly in any way?
Click to expand...

I personally like the smooth look now and its very comfortable so far. Definitely try it just indented then if thats not great for you maybe add the jimping. I am guessing that it will damage your baton less then a jimping mod but more than if it was straight across the top.
work in progress, just using the grinding stone:
2lXn0l.jpg

after using the sand drums:
rKA8Kl.jpg

oPtdNl.jpg


I am going to force a patina on the bare metal with some mustard. The uneven transition on the handle end is just the way the coating came off, it looks worse in the photo then in real life. If I strip the knife's coating it would be invisible.
 
great dude, its not very difficult and I think it took me about a half hour total, and I worked really slow.
 
Would like to see a photo of the whole knife at once, and not just focused on the work you did. Cool mod though.
 
The Warrior said:
Would like to see a photo of the whole knife at once, and not just focused on the work you did. Cool mod though.
Click to expand...

Here it is with the forced patina, 45 mins of mustard

HEWxHl.jpg


The surface is completely smooth, its not ridged like the photo would suggest, the lighting makes it look that way.

It is super nice. Grips almost as good as the jimping and no fatigue on my thumb. It came out so nice, when I strip the coating it will look factory!!!!

zgQDzl.jpg
 
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That came out nice. I am curious how that divot feels on the thumb with regular cutting tasks.
 
Okay I tried it out and it seemed like I didn't go far enough forward. I ground it another quarter inch up. Its now perfect... not gonna remove any more material.

EKRXFl.jpg

0AAY7l.jpg
 
amp281 said:
Okay I tried it out and it seemed like I didn't go far enough forward. I ground it another quarter inch up. Its now perfect... not gonna remove any more material.

EKRXFl.jpg

0AAY7l.jpg
Click to expand...

Just by my eye from the first pictures, I was thinking you should make it bigger (not deeper). Glad it feels better, it looks better also.
 
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