BK21 handle customize

B

boom31

Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
17
Hello all,

I have a bk21 that I have been attempting to tweak the handle on. Specifically, it shifts in my grip when I'm moving it in wide arcs. I have amended the grip with a soldering iron so it's pretty well stippled, and I have a lanyard attached. But I'm hoping for some ideas on how I can get my hand to 'lock' more securely when I'm swinging it.


Thanks
 
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Try adding liners. It made a huge difference for me. The weight of the 21 and with the stock thin scales I had to over squeeze . This cause hand fatigue for me. With thicker scales the 21 feels very secure swinging without having to try to squeeze the crap out of the handle. Try adding something as simple as layers of paper just to see if that might be what you need :thumbsup: If it works out than go for something permanent:thumbsup::thumbsup:
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Another option VZ scales ;) they WILL stick in your hand like glue but you might still need liners on the 21. It’s all about what feels right in your hand. Seriously try thickening your scales I think you’ll be amazed how much better fit and control you’ll have:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I had got some orange g10 scales from a previous purchase.
I liked the overall feel, but they were WAY too thin. I added some brass liners I made. The thickness helped.
More noticeable was the change in ballance, much improved.
Now that I like it, I may go more extreme.
 
Xr6x said:
Try adding liners. It made a huge difference for me. The weight of the 21 and with the stock thin scales I had to over squeeze . This cause hand fatigue for me. With thicker scales the 21 feels very secure swinging without having to try to squeeze the crap out of the handle. Try adding something as simple as layers of paper just to see if that might be what you need :thumbsup: If it works out than go for something permanent:thumbsup::thumbsup:
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I'd like to try this idea. How do I go about adding liners? Are they sold somewhere specifically for the bk21?
 
boom31 said:
I'd like to try this idea. How do I go about adding liners? Are they sold somewhere specifically for the bk21?
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Folks cut out pieces of thin plastic usually, sand the edges to fit.
You could try some heavy cardstock to see if you're going the right direction, then buy some tougher material if you're motivated. Thin G10 and micarta are available in modest sized sheets in various thicknesses. G10 is BRUTAL on cutting tools tho, be prepared to dull things if you go that route (and wear a mask because glass fiber dust BAD). Kydex sheets are also inexpensive and much easier to cut. I think some people were using DVD cases?? The plastic is thin, but tough.

ETA: another quick-to try mod is to cut a bit of used mountain bike (not fat 29'er) inner tube and get it up onto the handle between the front and back stops. That will give you a LITTLE more thickness and dampen shock a tiny bit, but obviously cover your stippling. If you do that, definitely keep the sheath on while you fight the tube onto the handle. 😬
 
daizee said:
Folks cut out pieces of thin plastic usually, sand the edges to fit.
You could try some heavy cardstock to see if you're going the right direction, then buy some tougher material if you're motivated. Thin G10 and micarta are available in modest sized sheets in various thicknesses. G10 is BRUTAL on cutting tools tho, be prepared to dull things if you go that route (and wear a mask because glass fiber dust BAD). Kydex sheets are also inexpensive and much easier to cut. I think some people were using DVD cases?? The plastic is thin, but tough.

ETA: another quick-to try mod is to cut a bit of used mountain bike (not fat 29'er) inner tube and get it up onto the handle between the front and back stops. That will give you a LITTLE more thickness and dampen shock a tiny bit, but obviously cover your stippling. If you do that, definitely keep the sheath on while you fight the tube onto the handle. 😬
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Oh wow, thanks for the ideas! I'll try the dvd plastic, kydex or the inner tube. I don't presently have the tools to cut up g10.
 
boom31 said:
Oh wow, thanks for the ideas! I'll try the dvd plastic, kydex or the inner tube. I don't presently have the tools to cut up g10.
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I think my first set of liners was made from a thin, red plastic cutting board i bought for cheap. I made them for my BK62, just to see if I liked the feeling.

easy to cut and sand.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I think my first set of liners was made from a thin, red plastic cutting board i bought for cheap. I made them for my BK62, just to see if I liked the feeling.

easy to cut and sand.
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This may be an ignorant question so I apologize in advance, what is the purpose of sanding the plastic once it's trimmed to fit?
 
boom31 said:
This may be an ignorant question so I apologize in advance, what is the purpose of sanding the plastic once it's trimmed to fit?
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not ignorant.
Cutting sheet goods with a saw, or blade and getting a nice even finish isn't going to be easy. Rough edges.

sanding after you cut it to aprox size will be easier to get it to look nice
 
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I’ve had an idea bouncing around my cranium for awhile. Just haven’t gotten around to actually trying it. I have an old set of TKC blue scales lying around that I mucked up trying another idea... I want to jig them up and cut thin slabs from them on the band saw. (Left/Right) Or I could sacrifice a set of Micarta scales. I’m going to experiment on the TKCs first.
 
Tanker 1/66 said:
I’ve had an idea bouncing around my cranium for awhile. Just haven’t gotten around to actually trying it. I have an old set of TKC blue scales lying around that I mucked up trying another idea... I want to jig them up and cut thin slabs from them on the band saw. (Left/Right) Or I could sacrifice a set of Micarta scales. I’m going to experiment on the TKCs first.
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If you are wanting super thick liners? I'm not sure what you are wanting?

It would be easier holding the scales down on a surface plate, and milling them to size.

Sawing might be tricky
 
Crag the Brewer said:
If you are wanting super thick liners? I'm not sure what you are wanting?

It would be easier holding the scales down on a surface plate, and milling them to size.

Sawing might be tricky
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And just like that the bouncing in my brain has stopped. Snapped back to reason 👍
 
When tightening the handle screws down through the extra material, how do you account for the extra thickness of the liner? Ie, is it fine to leave the screw not tightened as much as it normally would be without a liner?
 
To estimate how much liner thickness to begin with, I wrapped the entire grip with Wilson wrap a whole bunch of times. I have to say, even this very rudimentary start has legitimately transformed the feel of this knife. With the larger surface area, my hands now feel completely comfortable. I can generate significantly higher power from the shoulder in the swing because there's zero wiggling of the grip in hand.

So thanks to xr6x and cragthebrewer and everyone else for suggesting to widen the grip. I wouldn't have thought of doing this with a Becker handle , mostly because the same (I think it's the same?) handle just feels perfect on my bk7.
 
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boom31 said:
To estimate how much liner thickness to begin with, I wrapped the entire grip with Wilson wrap a whole bunch of times. I have to say, even this very rudimentary start has legitimately transformed the feel of this knife. With the larger surface area, my hands now feel completely comfortable. I can generate significantly higher power from the shoulder in the swing because there's zero wiggling of the grip in hand.

So thanks to xr6x and cragthebrewer and everyone else for suggesting to widen the grip. I wouldn't have thought of doing this with a Becker handle , mostly because the same (I think it's the same?) handle just feels perfect on my bk7.
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You will see that knives and choppers are total different. Grip needed can vary greatly.

I don't like the looks of wrapping.....but I Do use it on my bigger choppers.
I currently use black silicone tape.

Specs And Pricing For The TNT-15 Sword

Will probably put a great big swedge down the spine. Will be interesting to see how much material needs to be removed to get the balance in a better place. However it’s done, would be a lot more efficient to be done in the factory before the HT. I've been considering whether or not to pay...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
This was on a recent SYKCO blade I had before selling it.
I made the grip considerably more comfortable, too bad the whole rest of the design was kinda a turd..... Biggest letdown of the year so far. :(


I might wrap a couple Becker's too, just to see?
Keep us posted.
It's Always good seeing what others are experiencing.
Thank you.
 
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