Customized GI Tanto

P

pietje

Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
289
I recently finished a customization project of my Cold Steel GI Tanto. Shortened handle, stripped, added choil & jimping, sabre-convex grind, kydex-G10 handles, stainless handle fasteners and looooooots of sanding and polishing. All done with basic hand tools. Although a lot of blood and sweet was spilled, it was major fun!

The mean lil ...... feels nice in hand. Needless to say its razor sharp ;)

Scrol down to see the pics. Hope you like it too!















 
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I have to say the pictures dont do the knife any good, it looks MUCH better in real-life.
 
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thank you all for the compliments!


Kwon Kwang said:
....You just made a $25 knife look like a $300 knife!
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That’s kind off the point. Chancing a basic knife into something desirable. The GI Tanto is a perfect ‘blank’ to start from. Tough steel with good heat treatment, holds an edge and inexpensive.

All my knives are customized to a certain degree of personal preference. The experience acquired by screwing around with tools has changed my views about (buying) production knifes.
 
I just could not stop! The blade was screaming for a more utilitarian tip and sheet.






Sheet is made for the Tanto tip. Will repress it when a better kydex press is made.

 
Pietje, you go man. You really made magic via transformation. You had an attractive vision, and executed it beautifully. I look forward to your next project. Don't allow your talent lie dormant.
 
Nice work. I mirror polished two of my 4" Vaquero's. A labor of love.

You had an amazing vision of what you wanted to do with your knife and made it a reality!
 
I showed this to my nine year old, saying that it stared out as a GI Tanto and he said, "He made it AWESOME!"
 
There was a GI Tanto in the past.....now it is indeed awesome :) hope the transformation project inspired some of you for future knife buys and personal projects. Thanks you all for the kind words!


Acesn8s said:
Pietje, you go man. You really made magic via transformation. You had an attractive vision, and executed it beautifully. I look forward to your next project. Don't allow your talent lie dormant.
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No projects planned yet. Although I cant keep production knives sit as they come. I'll make is pic thread of other knives i modified.


M. McCord said:
I showed this to my nine year old, saying that it stared out as a GI Tanto and he said, "He made it AWESOME!"
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Hahaha I see a knife enthusiast in the making :thumbup:
 
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