Dremels are for wussies

BaliLover

BaliLover

Joined
Oct 25, 2000
Messages
1,350
Well, since I'm going nuts waiting for my Larry Davidson Hornet and my other custom, I decided to modify my 42 more than I already had. I had already done some crappy filework to it and rounded the spine, but I decided that it would look good with mirror polished handles. I started with 320 grit and sanded both handles down, then I progressed to 600 grit wet, then 1000 grit, finishing with 1200 grit. When this was done I took some Flitz metal polish and rubbed as hard as I could until I was happy with the shine. That took about 2 hours total. After the polishing, the blade looked a bit weak so I broke out the Lansky with the coarse stone and HAND PROFILED the swedge to 30 degrees. I followed with the medium and fine stones, then finished up with my sharpmaker. I can now shave with the swedge and it's as clean as a factory grind and perfectly centered (100 strokes on this side, flip 100 strokes on the other, flip, repeat 50-100 times) Total time was around 2 hours but I wasn't constantly moving the stone as I had to take breaks to answer emails and read posts.

Now all I need to do is remove the latch and I've got a pretty nice looking customized production knife, only problem is I can see a void on the outside of the handle that BM filled and polished to hide. I'm afraid when I cut the latch off it's gonna look pretty bad but who knows.
 
This sounds like a really cool job, BaliLover. Is it possible for you to post some pics of the result? I think we all would be very happy to see them. :)
Originally posted by BaliLover
...as I had to take breaks to answer emails and read posts.
Click to expand...
And who claims it's possible to be addicted to the bladeforum? :p
 
Yes, you definately need to get some pictures up asap. I'm very interested in seeing it.. I was always wondering about polishing techniques.

Also... you say 'cut the latch off'? What do you mean?
 
Pictures man, pictures ! and oh yeah, I guess I'm a wussie, I have a dremel and use it often (;
 
If I had a digital camera I'd be glad to take some pictures of it, and my other knives for everyone, but alas, all my money goes to knives and I don't plan to spend $200+ for a decent digital camera and deprive myself of a knife. By cut off the latch, I mean the whole area of the handle that holds it too, same way Dawkind did, but I'm going to try to do it with a hacksaw and files. I have a strage affection for doing work by hand.
 
Don't you have some nice neighbours or something with a digital camera that you can borrow? I'm sure there are. So what are you waiting for?! Share some pics! :D
 
ok, yeah, that's what I assumed about you cutting the latch...
Hmm, what's this about the "void on the outside of the handle that BM filled and polished to hide"? On all BM42's, or just yours?
 
Wow I too hand polished my 43 (handle and blade) to 2000 grit and am thinking of sharpening the swedge on my 42as but I'll have to think about it. If you can find a way to put pics up for us all. If not so be it. Sounds like you had fun.
 
Several of the BM's have small voids in the handles from where they were cast. Mine has some small ones at the pivots. There was a long thread on it about august of last year.
 
Sounds like it turned out great. I've certainly been guilty of hacking away at a few myself, some of which were/are customs. It's fun :rolleyes:


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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