Easier alternative to stripping

FullyTorque

FullyTorque

Joined
Jun 3, 2013
Messages
407
Hey guys. I just bought my first Becker, a BK16. Before I bought it I was pretty sure I was going have to strip the coating off. In all the reviews I read the coating seems to be the one thing that everyone complains about. When I got the knife I knew why people hate the coating, it is ROUGH. However, before I pulled out the paint stripper I tried sanding it. I spent a few minutes with a fine grit foam sanding block that I had lying around and the results were quite nice.
I might still strip the coating off completely but for now the sides are very smooth and there is no drag when slicing. So for those looking to buy a Becker and are worried about the rough coating, a few minutes with some sand paper is all you need.
Factory
factoryfinish.jpg

Sanded
sandedfinish.jpg
 
Thats a great alternative. The reason a lot of guys around here, myself included, strip their knives, is because we use them for food prep. We don't wanna stumble onto a piece if coating mixed in our asparagus spears lol.
 
That works! I use mine for anything and everything, but am not much of a cook unfortunately. Your sanded coating looks like the one on my First Production BK17. Also the rougher coatings will smooth out over time with use.
 
Great idea. I use a BK-24 and the San Mei for food prep chores when playing Jungle Jim in the Amazon simply because they don't have the finish, easier to keep sanitary, especially since I don't use scales or cord wrap on them, which are nothing more then repositories for bacteria yet to be discovered by microbiologist's. For all other cutting chores, the factory finish is fine with me.
 
I'm torn about taking it all the way down. The ones I've seen stripped and refinished with forced patina look really good.
However, I really like look of the worn away coating on my EDC Benchmade Presidio. I think I'll leave the coating for the time being and let the metal become exposed and patina over time.

My benchmade
IMG_0827.jpg
 
I may try the sanding method. The idea of forced patina just seems odd to me. But then again, you can buy a brand new Fender Strat that looks like it's been on the road for 30 years. Different strokes...
 
I clicked this thinking that I was going to tell you that maybe getting a retail job and slowly taking courses towards your degree would be better but you and I are obviously talking about different things.
 
I'm with bsmith on the food prep, but I really like the way that looks.
Of course, it'll probably wear with use just like the factory finish. Smoother now, but also thinner.
Let us know what you think after beating on it for a while.
 
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