BK2 Poor Mans Skeletool Mod

[Antonionio]

G'day All.

I've been lurking for a little while, got a lot of good tips about sheath mods and additions, thanks for the inspiration and ideas...which inspired the following mod.

I call this the poor mans mod because after buying my BK2 for $100 Aud, I was amazed at how much I would apparently have to spend on a new sheath, mounting system, external casing, tek lok etc to make this my ideal system. The whole bill could easily ride toward $200 or more if you went to town no holds barred on the budget. Well, my budget doesn't stretch that far for knife improvement so I used what I had and adapted it...poor man style. It carries a lot of the toolage I need for work all contained in one piece. The multitool aspect makes it invaluable, especially since I can draw my Skeletool much easier from this setup than I ever could from its own stock pouch.

I had a few criteria for this mod:

1) Cheap to put together
2) Strong and durable
3) Secure space for Skeletool, sharpening stone and hopefully firestarter.
5) Looks in keeping with original sheath
6) Practical for work and play

The components I used are:

1) service station bought torch pouch with belt clip, worth about $3 on its own but well made and very solid nonetheless.
2) zip ties x 3
3) texta pen

Here is the finished item.

So far the Skeletool is very easy to access, the BK2 slides out of its sheath easily after a bit of heater then freezer expansion contraction action. The zipties hold everything like a strong piece of plastic under tension should hold.

All in all I'm quite happy with what amounted to a cost of $5 (minus Skeletool obviously) about 30 minutes brainstorming/sorting through available items and about another 30 mins putting together ( not counting the time spent colouring the various additions black with Texta)

Hope you find something useful here...this is my first mod and it was done in the spirit of practicality, frugality and adventure ...so remember this is my poor mans mod and even though it performs seriously in the field for me...there will be much better ways to attach and secure the various elements if you have the bucks to spend But if you don't have those bucks...be inventive and Enjoy.

I will keep modding with all the other usual BK2 improvement mods to the handle with soldering iron..new edge the blade etc.. and DEFINITELY new attachment options to belt (Suggestions that make it sit on your hip/leg where the stock one does but doesn't flip upside down when not secured due to weight would be greatly appreciated! Something like Mid ride...not high hip ride nor low ride. Original ride minus the flop I guess. Surely there's a better way.

In the meantime I'm very happy with this cheap ass mod because of the tight budget and its extreme practicality on the job in and in the field. Cheers.

PS: really hope these pictures are displaying now...had a bit of a tough time figuring it out even with the Bladeforums guide. Hopefully got it sorted this morning...

 

[Antonionio]

The sheath now supports a firesteel tucked in behind the Skeletool. It's almost like that compartment was made to retain the firesteel. It doesn't want to budge. Awesome, because that space was annoying me before wondering how to use it. I would have like to have had the extra pouch more tightly mounted to the BK2 sheath, but the belt clip for the pouch I used the Zipties on means it sits a few mm proud. On the plus side this allows easier access to the multitool because of the angle and now that I've found a very useful item (firestarter and compass) to wedge in between the two sheaths I'm no longer annoyed but rather quite pleased. I'm sure there's a lot of other things that would sit nicely in the depending the situation. I am happy with the organic shape of the setup and for under $10 I can't imagine how I'd beat it. There's still another pouch to utilize so I will add my Fallkniven DC4 when it arrives.

Ok...so the texta didn't last. Time for some black zip-ties! I guess I might have to splurge a bit at some point

 

[sheathmaker]

I am sure it's great, but I am unable to get any of your links to produce a photo, so I don't really know.

Paul

 

[Antonionio]

Apologies Paul...I had a heck of a time getting them up there because essentially I was copying the picasa albums page rather than the image URL (it was getting late last night and my head was getting fuzzy after a long week). They should all display now fine. Thanks for looking!

 

[Antonionio]

Photo's are now imbedded I believe. If someone could confirm I would appreciate it. Cheers.

 

[sheathmaker]

Yes, they are indeed up and viewable. You were certainly right about the complete utility of this carry system. It seems to have just about everything you would or could need. Thanks for the photos.

Paul

 

[Antonionio]

Thanks for the reply Paul. I know it may look a bit clunky and cheap but it does carry all I need for the time being. I don't really notice the weight on my belt that much. I just need to figure out a better mounting option because the stock fastener isn't good...difficult to attach. If it isn't attached/fastened I would like for the blade to sit straight and not flop around. I see the old sheath had a piece of plastic extended to provide this. Why this went out the window with the new sheath is a mystery to me. Anyway...gets the brain working on how to fix it for next to nothing.

 

[Zuluninja]

Can u post a pick of how the strap is attached ? If its like mine you can cut off the rivets and fit a teklok to the 3 holes left by the rivets; a big teklok is like 10 bucks but totally worth it.

If i can suggest another improvement besides black zip ties, you can also heat up an ice pick and poke holes on the side of the pouch and run the zip ties thru them. Not only will it look cleaner, it will also give you more room and a tighter fit.

 

[Antonionio]

Good suggestions, thanks mate. I looked into techlok and correct me if I'm wrong, it makes the sheath ride quite a bit higher. I use this for work and we aren't supposed to conceal in Australia. A higher ride means it sits under my shirt/jacket. The current ride is the perfect height for working purposes so I'm looking at ways to improve that as it is. I was thinking replace the current strap with webbing material or reinforce it with something like plastic or Kydex. Just ideas at this point till can get the materials.

The zip tie running through the pouch idea is a solid one. The only thing I guess is that the top one would stay as is...as it runs over the pouch clip. The very bottom one helps keep the Skeletool up with reach as the pouch is fairly deep. Could certainly alter that middle one though.

On a side note I just got my BK2 professionally sharpened and patina removed. Looks good. Only thing I've discovered is it's fairly clear now my sheath is making the knife go blunt fairly quickly...within one day without using it but lots of removing from the sheath to admire its new look..quite a bit duller, as in can't but paper like it could yesterday...and I can run it across my finger without any blood where yesterday that would have been a stupid thing to do is was that sharp. I wrote to Ka-bar and apparently this here posted sheath mod has voided the warranty!!! I really don't get this because if I snip the three cable ties then the sheath is as original condition, all the additions are non-destructive. Doesn't make any sense...really annoying Rant over.

 

[Antonionio]

Light bulb...I see what you mean ninja...run the cable ties 'up down' vertically through the sheath holes rather than 'across' the pouch. Nice idea. Cheers.

 

[Zuluninja]

you can also have fun trying to fashion a sort of drop leg extension with a square ring, some webing and a triglide if you want it to hang farther down. As for the sheath dulling the blade some people have commented on that and it seems the best cure short of getting a new sheath is to keep on drawing the knife out and eventually it will groove the sheath or take a small triangular file and notch the area where the edge makes contact.

Man I would love to visit Australia but it seems that your knife laws suck big time. I've also read so many horror stories about shipping it makes me wonder how many knifemakers do you have there.

 

[Antonionio]

I would like to try the drop leg at some point...but as I mentioned the level it's at right now with the stock height is perfect. I just need to make it more stable...with a plastic backing or somesuch.

On the sheath front....I explained the lack of a destructive mod clearly to Breanne at Becker And I have been instructed I can now send the sheath in for consideration for warranty replacement. This turn-around I appreciate a lot right now because funds are so tight. I gave the sheath a really good run in and even after at least 200+ goes on the sheath/unseath method my blade was dulling. Very noticeable after the latest patina removal and professional sharpening.

I've read ALL the forums on the issue so tried it and at the end of that day it's a good solid sheath and is very modifiable. The blunting of my blade so quickly is the only issue that has bugged me so far other than the mounting which is probably easily solved.

RE: Aus Blade Laws: Our knife laws pretty much state (in Victoria least) that in most built up areas on crown land you can only carry a fixed blade, or folder that requires two hands to open, for the purposes of gainful and lawful employment. I carry a folder in the form of the leatherman and the BK2 is my fixed blade. I 'could' possibly get by without the bk2 but it does regularly come in extremely handy.

So ZuluNinja...What horror stories have you heard about shipping? I'd be interested to know. I haven't even bothered trying to ship anything other than multi tools and small folders in from the states. I did win a machette on ebay once but the auction was cancelled due to 'no stock' which to me says 'no hope' of getting it through customs at this end. My mate has shipped a Gransford Brucks from Germany. About to ship a quality German knife through...it should be fine because it is a fixed blade hunting knife and perfectly legal.

I'm not sure how many knife makers are over here? Would be interesting to know though.

Unfortunately there a a few idiots around who like to spoil it for the rest of us...they generally carry a weapon with intent to harm. Self defense is apparently never a vaild reason to carry a blade, and intent to harm is definitely not a valid reason. I can understand why the law stands as it does...you really just need to be careful with it and only ever carry tools when you are working or on a mates farm on private land.

 

[Zuluninja]

mainly, the cost of shipping stuff to Australia and looong custom wait times is what I've read. If you are happy with the stock ride height just get a piece of hard plastic, shape it like the strap, sandwich it between and slip a piece of bike tire tubing over the strap.

 

[Antonionio]

Thanks for that...I saw a vid about a piece of hard plastic but you've clarified it. I sent my sheath to Ka-Bar/Becker for evaluation. When I have a sheath back I will do just that to the mounting. I also looked at the Spec Ops sheaths and apart from not having foliage green in stock they look pretty good to cover what I wanted this mod to do in the first place. I guess the difference is another $50 plus shipping to Aus which will be at least $20. If I can get this system working I will be a happy lad.
Cheers

 

[paperairplane]

cut a piece of bicycle inner tube about 2" and place this over the belt loop nearest the sheath - this reduces the size of the loop and helps stop the flop.