BR Bravo Ramp Removal

hiwa

hiwa

Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
2,720
Scored a sweet deal on a 3V Bravo 1.25 , but it has a thumb ramp that I need to take off.
Looking for some experience/opinions here. I'm skilled with a large variety of power tools and have at my disposal angle grinders, belts sanders (1 by 30 , 3 by 24 , 8" horizontal industrial ) files, diamond plates , sandpapers, etc.

Just wondering what would be the most efficient and best outcome with the choices I have. I know better not to get it hot to the touch , and want to have a nice smooth transition from the top front of the handle (G-10) to the spine.

Be nice to read some ideas , and especially from someone who has done it. Sending it to BR is not an option.
Thanks.
Knife here:

http://www.bushcraftcanada.com/products/images-extra/1963.jpg
 
Last edited:
If you want it done perfectly by the factory send it to BR and pay some small amount for return shipping and they will do it for free.
 
Joe_Lane said:
If you want it done perfectly by the factory send it to BR and pay some small amount for return shipping and they will do it for free.
Click to expand...

Nope. Too long, too far. Please read last line in my OP.
 
hiwa said:
Nope. Too long, too far. Please read last line in my OP.
Click to expand...
I apologize, apparently I didn't read thoroughly.

Well I know what I would do. I would start with a 36 grit belt get it close enough that progressing through grits won't take very long but be very carefull not to nick the handles with a 36 grit belt... I'm not certain but I would suspect finishing somewhere around 400 then finish by hand with sandpaper. I have a 1x42 buy i would imagine others would work fine.

I would be curious if a band saw would be a good or bad idea to start. I don't have one and even if I did, not sure I'd try it.
 
Yeah Joe, I thought of cutting it, but the steel is very hard and one thing I do not have is a powered metal saw that could cut it straight. I was thinking of taking blue zirconium belts on my 1 by 30 to get it close, using a regular or diamond file/plate to get even closer, then sanding by hand with a hard block and progressive papers. Tape off the areas before and after the ramp also is probably a good idea.

If there's any better suggestions, I'm all ears.
 
I've ground off thumb ramps on a few folders. I started with 80 grit belt, moved up to 150 grit when I got close. Then hand sanded it.

Just go slow, keep it cool so you don't mess up the handle material. I don't think you'll need to cut part of it off with a saw, you should be able to grind it off. Looks like you have a good idea/plan to get it done.

You could get yourself a cheap beater knife and try grinding it to get a feel for it.

Have you thought about using a wet grinder?

Ric
 
Slow and steady. Tape off everything but the area you're working on and be sure to put something on the edge. From what I have seen at bark river they use some type of black rubber on the blades that are already finished to prevent accidents. It's almost like a small diameter rubber hose with a slit going down the length of it. Slip that over the edge and tape it on.

I forget what types of belts they use specifically but they are pretty good to grind down those harder metals. I'd buy some new belts and just take my time. Having a water bucket handy might be a good idea too. All of the grinding stations at bark river have them so they can keep the blades cool while working.
 
Thanks for the responses guys . I taped it all off real well ( especially the blade) leaving the ramp exposed. Going to the shop tonight and give it a go. I'll keep it cool and slow.

That Bravo 1.25 is an awesome knife for sure ! I'll post pix when I'm done .
 
Idk how skilled you are but I would do it initially with a grinder but I have an extremely steady hand and then finish with sandpaper
 
I used a 60 gr. flap wheel on an angle grinder
followed by mill file , then diamond stones.
Polished with 400 grit emery cloth loaded with diamond paste.

This was the last orange Bravo I could get at this price , but it had the ramp ( which I dislike).
My advice would be if you wanted one rampless , order it as such. If you have the option and time to easily send it in that would work too ( not in my case though) , because even though I did this myself it wasn't as easy as it looks , especially trying to hog-off 3V and keep it looking pretty.

All-in-all I'm very happy with this knife and the outcome of taking the ramp off , and look forward using the ever-loving heck out of this knife. Thanks for looking and the advice !
 
To cut the ramp down , about 1/2 hr. Polishing , about 2. There was a bit of a bumpy transition where the ramp was , and it took some effort to smooth it out.
 
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