Customizing my BK Bolo!

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
7,764
Got my Delta 30"x1" Belt sander from my brothers house the other day and desided to sharpen a few knives that were really really dull. After putting good edges on the knives with a 400 grit belt I grabbed my Bob Kenny Bolo (HI Bolo??) and gave it a nice edge. Never liked the edge it came with, but sure like the new one it has. Didn't take very long to do it either, used a 180 grit belt to change the angle then finished with a 400 grit belt. Will possibly go down to 600 grit using a sand paper strop, but have not desided yet.

Well after putting on the nice edge I desided to customize the handle. I started by thinning out the handle with a 400 grit belt but that was taking to long so I switched to the 180 grit and that went much faster. I started with light presure on the slack belt... The handle was round when I got it, now it's about 1/4" to 5/16" thinner and has a lot nicer shape. I left the hump on the end for better control but might end up taking that down a little more later. The handle kind of reminds me of the Desert Rose handle. At least thats where I got the insparation. To anyone else it might not look simmaler but to me the two handles do.

After sanding down the handle I took it out back to the ally way behind my apartment. There I cut down lots of milk weed, grass and Mormon tea. The new edge and handle worked great cutting everything. It used to feel clunky in the hand but now seems to flow a lot better and it cuts easier threw light brush. It used to snap things off do to it's weight but now it's actually slicing. :D Most of my current Khukuri's have Horn handles except my 20" Sirupati (which I've already customized) am thinking my next Khuk should be wood. :) Much easier and less stinky to work with. LOL!!

Pics to follow, if people want to see a customized BK Bolo. I did the mods, ate and typed this. Haven't had a chance yet for anything else.

Heber
 
Okay, below I have some pics of my BK Bolo. Will start with the before pics taken a few months ago. Click on the thumb nails to see larger images:











Here it is with a 16.5" WWII and a 15" Sirupati for size comparison:



 
Here are the new pics I took today after sharpening the blade and modifying the handle:
















After holding and swinging the Bolo some more I've desided that I need to take some more off the butt of the handle and add a little more curve to the grip. Though these pics should give you a good idea as to what I'm going for. Even now before I'm done it's a lot more comfortable and easier to use. It's been a year+ since I last used my grinder and I almost forgot how much fun I have using it. When it gets cooler out I'll probably do more on it. Thanks for looking. Please comment. :)

Heber
 
Nice work.


You know, there's about four acres of junk growth right next to the lawn out here in rural Wisconsin. I betcha you could refine your technique to that of an artist by the time you were through thinning it.:D


justsayin'
 
Hm, liking the semi-bell shape. The top-down pic shows the mod best.

Heber, congrats on 3,000 posts :D .


Mike
 
Work slow with the grinder.
It's really tough to put wood/steel back on.LOL:D


edit: forgot to say...looking good!
 
Looking good, although it was originally called the "Bob White Bolo" as far as I can recall...
 
Nice pictures, thank you wildmanh
 
Yangdu, thank you for getting me this great knife!

This afternoon I finished sanding the handle down to the shape I want it. Then I took it to the back alley to test it out. Seems to be working great. I love the new shape a lot. Pictures to follow. The Bolo is rather blade heavy but very efective. more blade heavy then any of my Khukuris. Will definantly need to get used to swinging it again. Works some arm muscles that even my 20" Sirupati.

After sanding and sanding the handle pretty much took on a shape all it's own. Like I said earlier I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. I don't have any sand paper right now so the pics you will see are of the handle roughly finished. When I have some money I'll get some 400 or 600 grit paper and tung oil to finish it up. Well with out further ado, here are the pics:







Kazeryu, Back in the day when Bob Kenny (screen name Bobwhite) first ordered the Bolo he refered to it as the Table Leg Bolo. But Uncle Bill would call it the Bobwhite or Bob Kenny bolo after Bob. Some have called it the HI bolo or other such things. What ever the official name, it's still really nice.

Thanks for looking!

Heber
 
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