Carnivour Modifications

ptpalpha

ptpalpha

Joined
Aug 25, 1999
Messages
1,317
I can here Bob Taylor banging his head against the wall!
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I just completed modifying my Carny. Here's what I did. First, I completely dissassembled the knife and cleaned all parts. There was a little grit, not too much, but enough to feel when I cycled it. Next, I glued the end of the spring into the groove, so it wouldn't fly out on me! Then I slightly re-contoured the point of the grip by the finger cut out-both the liner steel and the G10. I just kind of rounded it all off, not much, but enough to be significantly more comfortable in-hand. Then I file-worked the liners, all the way around. This was my first foray into filework, and I'm pretty happy with the end result. I used a Craftsman round needle file, then polished and smoothed the scallops with the dremel. I also flattened the serrations in the liners as they kind of abraded my hand. By doing this, it took them below the level of the G10 to the point that my thumb and finger couldn't touch them, so I slightly removed some of the G10 until it was almost level with the flattened serrations. It gave me a more comfortable and defined index point for both forward and reverse grip. Upon reassembly, I did have the now infamous lateral blade play, which I'm absolutely sure is NOT a manufacturer error, just a result of my reassembly process. I spent the better part of last night taking it apart and putting it back together in different ways, and it looks to me like the culprit is the pivot sleeve. Work it from side to side by loosening one side then tightening the other, and you'll probably find, as I did, that it has a "favorite" spot where the blade play will dissappear. For mine it was with the pivot sleeve almost all the way to the "lock" side of the knife. Oh yeah, I lubed everything with tuff-glide and now it's very smooth. Not silky, but pretty close. Well, that's about it, except that I want to say one more time how much I enjoy this knife. I now have a fully customized Carny, and can take it apart and put it back together with my eyes closed (well, almost...). Thanks again, REKAT.
 
sounds pretty good. Can we see pics?

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Dennis Bible
 
Paul,

I am glad to hear that your foray into the modification world went well, I do however have one suggestion for yourself and anyone else that has a gritty Rekat (or any other knife for that matter).

I have taken numerous Rekats and many other knives apart because I was not happy with the opening action.

This modification works EXTREMELY well on Rekats in particular, due to the fact that the entire blade has a stonewash finish.

After you get done with any modifications you might want to accomplish, and while you still have the knife apart, get yourself some Wet/Dry sandpaper in grits of 220, 400, 600 and 1000. Take the 220 paper and little water (helps it cut better) and rub in a circular motion around the pivot area of the blade. Do this for a minute or so (until the surface smooths out), then do the other side of the blade. Then move on to the 400 paper, then 600, and finally 1000. What you are actually doing is polishing the pivot area of the blade. I also do both liners in the same area.

When you are done, wash off the parts and reassemble the knife using a few drops of Rem-Oil or Tuf-Glide (I like Rem-Oil).

The reason for the "gritty" feeling in Rekats is due to the "pitting" of the stonewash finish. Once you get rid of this, I can guarantee that you will have a very smooth opening knife.

This is a very simple modification and if done right, you will be amazed at the difference it makes.

Hope this helps, ramble mode off
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C.O.'s-"It takes balls to work behind the walls "
 
Great tip! Mine has the Black-T finish, but I may still give it a try (definately the liners, but I may go ahead and do the blade too). I've been fiddling with the Carny all evening, and unfortunately I've come to the conclusion that the only way to have zero lateral blade play is the tighten the pivot screws to the point where the blade is knid of stiff to open. No more flicking the blade out, but I guess that's a small price to pay for no lateral blade play. Any tips on curing this situation will definately be appreciated. As far as pics go, I still don't know how to post here on BF, but I can scan and email pics. Email me if you're interested, and I'll send them to you in jpeg format.

Thanks,
Paul
 
Oh yeah, I've also decided to add some lateral file cuts to the G10 where the liner is serrated, just for a little extra gription. This will be done tomorrow, so I can send pics of the completed project to anyone who's interested by tomorrow night.
 
Paul,

Do the blade polishing that I explained above and you will be able to tighten the pivot screws so that the play disappears, back off just a hair,pull back the slide lock release, and flick that blade out quick as lightning. Again, this will work with ANY blade, not just Rekats(you should see how quick my AFCK comes out).

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C.O.'s-"It takes balls to work behind the walls "
 
Cool! I definately will do this! I completed the filing of the G10 today, and now that puppy locks into either grip you choose. Very happy. Thanks again, JH, I'll let you know how it turns out!
 
How difficult is/was it to disassemble (and reassemble) the Carny? Can this be done to all REKATS? I'm asking because I would like to do similar mods to my SIFU - but I'm afraid that it I take it apart, I won't be able to put it back together! Any special tools needed?

TIA
 
Squid,

They are simple to take apartand easy to work on. They all come apart the same way, using an Allen wrench (not sure of the size).

Only thing you have to watch for is the spring popping out, but just go slow and observe how it came apart and the knife will go back together very easily.

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C.O.'s-"It takes balls to work behind the walls "
 
Another couple of things you can do while you ar eperformong surgury on your REKAT...

Polishing the tang of the blade, where the lock rides...makes things alot smoother.

Dabbing a bit of glue or shimming the stop pin to get rid of the rattle that is sometimes there.

I cleaned up the burrs and such on the little lock lever too, mostly because I hate to see burrs, but I was also thinking it might have been why my lock was sticky. There was some minor burring on the part that engaged the tang as well (cam?)...cleaned that up...not that it was affecting anything though...

I have found that re-assembly is easier if you start building it from the clip side up instead of assembling the handle and then trying to slide the blade and washers in afterwards. just stack it up like a sandwich.


Disclaimer: All I have right now is the Sifu, things might be different with the Carni...I will be finding out soon..
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..

YeK


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My Mom carries three knives.
AKTI # A000348


 
Jailhack, thanks! Your smoothing suggestion works great. I couldn't find any 2000 grip paper, so I had to stop at 1000, but it is soooo much smoother now! I too noticed those burrs on the little lock lever and cleaned them off. I used the pointy end of a 3-sided needle file and kind of "picked" them off, then hit it quickly with the little dremel wire brush wheel. Assembly is fairly straightforward, use the "sandwich" method mentioned above. Works fine. I've had mine apart probably 10 times, and after that first sweat-inducing time it was easy. The finished product is at my photopoint gallery (see signature line).

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View my collection at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=194082&a=1423561
 
Paul,

Glad to hear it worked out. I don't know why Rekat doesn't take 2 minutes and do this on the production line, I bet they would sell a lot more knives if they opened smoother.

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C.O.'s-"It takes balls to work behind the walls "
 
Nice file work on the Carnivore!

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If you can't dazzle them with your brilliance,
baffle them with your BS.
 
Dirk, thank you! I've tried to get a better scan of it with no success. It's definately the work of an amateur, but I'm happy with it. If I get too proud of it I just look at Neil Blackwood's filework on my Small Game and am quickly brought back down to earth! Nakano2, no it's the silver blade, but wouldn't a black blade look cool?
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I updated the site last night, deleting items that have sold and adding the Wegner. I can't wait till next week when I can add the pic of the (drum roll please...) Microtech L-UDT!
Thanks for looking, guys. It's a small collection, but I'm trying!
Paul

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View my collection at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=194082&a=1423561
 
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