Customizing my Beckers

So after expressing some interest at trying my hand at leather working, a fellow member (oldschool45) was kind enough to send me some leather, stitching needles, and some waxed sinew to give sheathmaking a shot. I decided my first attempts would be on my BK-2 and BK-11 as my other knives are mostly HI kukris and would require a bit more material and experience to make sheaths for.

This is my first ever attempt and I've only invested a couple of hours into it so far. Considering that I nearly messed it up due to a lack of planning or real measuring, I was rather amazed at what I produced. I opted for a very simple fold over design with a loop for firesteel. And yes - I was heavily inspired by mooosez45's vertical carry sheath - he's rather talented and does some downright amazing work. I still have to refit it for some custom scales, do the stitching and dye it, but I so far so good by my standards:


Secondly, I also ordered some cocobolo scales to make my Beckers a bit more snazzy. These ones for my BK-11:


And these ones for my BK-2:


This part of the project is proving to be a bit more difficult though due to my lack of any stationary power tools (I only have a dremel and drill). A scroll saw, planer, belt sander and a grinder would probably make this a hell of a lot easier, but my method is actually proving to be pretty enjoyable (albeit rather time consuming). I've spent about an hour so far and have only done the basic shaping of a single scale for my BK-2... all the work was done with the BK-11 and mora with some help from the rasp/file combo (all pictured). Ignore the saw - I gave up on that about a minute in . My plan is to do all the initial shaping and thickness reduction using my BK-11/mora/rasp. I'll then fit the scales, drill the holes for the screws, then finish the shaping with a sanding drum attachment for my dremel. I'll then do the final finishing using good ol sandpaper. A lot of work ahead

 

So I decided to take a break from the BK-2 and focus a bit on the BK-11 for awhile - it kept getting jealous and wanted a pair of scales as well.
I told it that if it wanted some scales, it would have to make some for itself. Becker knives work for a living after all right?

First off I decided that I had to saw a single slab of the set in half... using two 1/2" thick slabs on either side would have produced waaaay too thick a handle. Anyways, having only a hacksaw available, it proved to be quite difficult... Had to keep it rather straight and be very gentle as to not snap the wood in half. Took about 45 minutes but I finally managed it:


Then came the shaping. The BK-11 was used exclusively for this:



And while shaping the second scale, my BK-11 got a tad upset with me and decided to bite. Just a nick, but the convex edge sort of split the wound instead of slicing it, so it was a bit difficult to get it to stop bleeding.

Nothing a bit of superglue couldn't fix though. Always have some on hand.


Back to work! Basic shaping on both scales complete. Again, nothing else aside from the BK-11 has been used yet!


Decided that making the scale follow the choil all the way wasn't working out, so I carved them to the new design on the right:


Fitted the scales on the BK-11 with some double sided tape. Sadly the BK-11 can't claim all the glory for making it's own scales - further shaping of the scales was done with a Mora and a file. Now I have the initial shaping out of the way - Just need to figure out how I'll be attaching them on before I finish the handle off and get to work on a sheath.

 

** Heck - reserve another post just in case **

 

Thanks guys, definitely having a blast with this stuff when I get the time.

**Update on 2nd post**
Decided to give the BK-11 some love. Or uhhh - let it love itself? I don't quite know how to phrase that. Pretty much trying to say that it's making it's own scales!
How many people can say that their knife was used to make itself? Almost a paradox if you don't stop to think about it

 

Did a bit of contouring/rounding on the BK-11 scales using my mora, a file and some sandpaper. I then gave it a quick wipe with mineral oil to give some idea of how the color/grain will look once I finish it. Looks pretty snazzy if I do say so myself.... All that's really left to do is figure out how I'll be attaching it on. The old pins vs. screws debate

 

Thanks mate - I felt somewhat hesitant about covering up the stampings, but to keep the thing ergonomic and usable, it was sort of a necessity. It really does feel and look like a completely different blade now.

Thanks - I have to hold up on the sheath making for now... I have to refit the BK-2 sheath for the new scales which I've sort of stalled on.

As for the BK-11 sheath, it is still in the planning phase though I'm thinking it will be a vertical belt carry attached at the back. I also have a couple of things I need to order before I can finish off either of the sheaths - snaps and dye amongst others. Certainly fun stuff though! :thumbup:

 

So I ended up looking around the workshop and found these nice little brass screws:


They were a little long, but a cutting wheel attachment for my dremel took care of that. Drilling the holes for them was a bit of a pain... only had an old drill and my dremel to work with. The holes actually weren't that difficult as cocobolo seems to be almost plasticy due to all the oil in it. The depression for the screwhead was the real difficulty - had to use the dremel attachment shown below so steady hands was critical:



Anyways, here's the final product with the first coat of Tru-oil on it:



Now it's time to work on the sheath