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Cleaning up my BK2

MADSTEEZE

MADSTEEZE

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
392
So after my first camping trip with the 2, it came back looking well used.

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I decided to put forth my first attempt at something like this.
I stripped it first.

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Then got to sanding by hand :(
I used 100 to get the lines out but in doing so put a whole bunch of new scratches on the blade. I worked up through grits 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, and 2000. But didn't do it long enough to get all the scratches out. :(

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I then took a buff wheel on a drill with some white compound to it. It helped some but the scratches aren't gone, it's just shinier :).

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In the end, I'm happy with the results of my first go at it. I've got a new found respect for anyone who has sanded one of these down by hand. Oh boy. Taking it camping again this coming weekend. After some more hard use, I'll take my first run at a first patina. Thanks for the information that inspired me to do this.

Oh yeah, and I attempted to sharpen a convex edge for the first time. I think I did okay, but it barely cuts paper. I'm sure it'll do okay at destroying the forest. :)

Have a great night!

Alex
 
I aint used anything under 400 on a bare blade. I aint got sanding scratches but mine aint shiny either, dang urs is Polished!
I beats my poor BK2 like it insulted my mama at church.
 
That thing looks great! I might have to get a second bk2 and do a high polish on the bevels.
 
thrillbilly said:
I aint used anything under 400 on a bare blade. I aint got sanding scratches but mine aint shiny either, dang urs is Polished!
I beats my poor BK2 like it insulted my mama at church.
Click to expand...

Ha! Thanks

I spent a good solid 8-9 hours, split between 2 days on it. I would have dropped grits again to work on the scratches but decided not to since its going to be a hard user.
 
edctac said:
That thing looks great! I might have to get a second bk2 and do a high polish on the bevels.
Click to expand...

Do it..! Just use powered sanders if you've got em. I probably wouldn't have gone so low in grit if I had help to get all the original lines out of the blade.
 
Nice work. I haven't done it, but I can just imagine all that sanding time.
 
El Bummer about the 100grit.....Great job and verr nice pics.....Have fun next weekend......

ethan
 
nice work.
In general you need to remove all the scratches from the previous grit before stepping up to the next. Else what you leave behind just shows up more clearly with each progressively finer grit.
 
LOL man I hear ya, I got grey hair trying to sand a few KA-BARs down to a mirror finish before just giving up and putting them back to use. Good on ya for trying!
 
Lookin' sweet! As cool as a mirror polish looks, I prefer the 'user' look on my blades; it just screams 'bad-ass' to me.

If you need help with the convex edge, just email me; I'm no expert, but Richard J has taught me a thing or two :rolleyes:
I use one of these now with great results.
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I just put an edge on my Esky and Spyderco and my tiny/thin arm hairs I have pop off with no effort.
I'm still learning, but I am more than willing to help ya out :thumbup:
 
for a worker, looks good to me. you could even recoat it :) duracoat maybe? esp now that you've knocked down any high edges, should work goodly.
 
Thanks for all of the feedback guys.

I'm sure I'll perfect the polish one of these times. I'm set on it.
 
Update: I just put the scariest edge on my BK2...That sander I posted above makes a night and day difference with sandpaper. Never thought 1/4" thick stock could cut like this!

What were you thinking in terms of a patina? I have been debating etching mine. For now, while i decide, I am attempting to let one come naturally from use.
 
DeadFall27 said:
Update: I just put the scariest edge on my BK2...That sander I posted above makes a night and day difference with sandpaper. Never thought 1/4" thick stock could cut like this!

What were you thinking in terms of a patina? I have been debating etching mine. For now, while i decide, I am attempting to let one come naturally from use.
Click to expand...

I sent you an email regarding education. I definitely want my BK2 sharp!

As for a patina.. I haven't even begun to decide. Just figured it would be something I'd want to try doing.
 
it is....but smear some vaseline, carmex, Vick's, whathaveyou on the edge so u dont etch it...took me awhile to 'stone my edge smooth on my 14 LOL

wherever u put vaseline will be left alone by the etch...handy for making patterns or just etching the flats
 
Hey Alex, I sent you an e-mail regarding sharpening your BK2. Hope it helps :thumbup:

Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need any more buddy! Take care!
 
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