Gambled and lost...or did I?

hhmoore

hhmoore

Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
11,432

I took a chance on a BK11...it arrived today; and the first impressions aren't good. When I take the knife in hand, the first thing I notice is that the guard sits right in the middle of my index finger. Hmmm, that should be easy enough to fix - I'll just slide my finger back into that curve behind the guard. Nope, doesn't fit there. I've tried adjusting my grip, and there is just no comfortable way to hold this knife.
I suppose I could ask about returning it; but a part of me doesn't agree with that idea. It isn't the seller's fault I don't like it...it isn't defective, so I don't really have grounds for a return. I could sell it as barely out of the box new; or even give it away....nothing wrong with either one of those ideas. I don't think I've ever actually sold a knife before, though - foreign concept. I've given a bunch away over the years; but always to people I know, and know would appreciate them. Still, not an unreasonable option, especially since it seems to be a relatively common practice in this community.
There's always door #3, though - screw with it, and see if I can turn it into something I can like. I'd have to grind the guard down, and blend it into that curve...making sort of a choil/finger groove. I think it might be tough FOR ME to pull it off well, though, because my eye only sees one shape that would work; and I'll probably miss by a little, which would condemn the knife. I guess I could make scales for it, and try to minimize any grinding errors with those...but I'm sure that if I'm unhappy with it then, I won't see much point in wasting time on it. Then again, if I get it right, I might really like it...or, at least I might not feel that I messed it up so much that nobody would want it.

Sorry for the rambling - it's past my bedtime.
Feel free to offer any thoughts on modifying it that I might not come up with after some rest and contemplation.
 
I actually love this knife, I have large-ish hands and it is a perfect 3 finger knife. My pinky is used as a stabilizer when I use the 3. I fully admit it takes a minute to get used to it. I'd suggest you try it for a couple days if you still don't like it, I have a 14 I'll trade you for. It's basically brand new but I think I wrapped it (or did handles) It's at home and I'm at work.
 
I can see the pinky stabilizing it in a 3 finger grip; but that still leaves me with a sore index finger because it doesn't fit. I'll mess with it a little over the next couple days, see if my opinion changes.
Thanks
 
Here is where I view some mods happening to improve your grip comfort

12954398035_ee6a08743f_o.jpg
 
DerekH said:
Here is where I view some mods happening to improve your grip comfort
Click to expand...

Yes.
do both and you'll almost have a Daizee handle. ;-)
Definitely the first one is necessary. Only reason I didn't do mine was that it was D2 and Camillus. When I get bored I may buy a Kabar bk11 to make that mod and to smooth out the drop point.
 
I love the 11, it's my favorite knife.

I would love to see you modify it or you could try scales of some sort. I have the Micarta set on mine and love them. They make it feel much better to me. I also am nearly finished with a wood set and I had a lot of fun doing that so maybe that's an option as well.
 
I was just talking to Ethan about this today. You can see below that I rounded where the index finger sits.

P1020911.jpg
 
Hey guys. I don't spend much time on this subforum, but I am a proud owner of a BK11 and I just wanted to chime in that I love the knife.

And Guyon, your handle scales are quite the looker :thumbup:

 
I tried wrapping mine first, but the factory micarta did the trick for me in the end. makes the handle a lot more comfortable.. that being said the 14/24 is so much nicer IMO..
 
The 11, 14 and 24 trio has much to offer for customizing. Make your drawings, search the threads and have some fun. Whatever you try first, make sure it is reversible. Making different scales or factory micarta, for example. Once you remove metal you're stuck.
 
DerekH said:
Here is where I view some mods happening to improve your grip comfort

12954398035_ee6a08743f_o.jpg
Click to expand...

To be honest, I hadn't even considered the second option this morning; I was leaning toward a slightly different version of the first image, except not starting right at the edge of the cutting surface. (I've already got a hole in my index finger from hitting that corner, lol.) I''ve got some scale material on the way...maybe I'll put the 15 on hold, and divert to this one (the stuff I ordered for the 15 & 16 was backordered, so I grabbed a substitution that I was going to remove when the right stuff comes in anyway).

I don't really mind the short handle, as my pinky falls easily into the opening.





p.s. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have posted a thread to whine about the fit...but I've got my Beckerhead number picked, and I need a few more posts and threads to qualify. :D
 
Last edited:
hawkhead said:
Whatever you try first, make sure it is reversible. Making different scales or factory micarta, for example. Once you remove metal you're stuck.
Click to expand...
That's good advice...but, in this case (for me at least), removing metal seems like the best starting place. If I don't post pics by the end of the weekend, it didn't go as planned, lol
 
Perhaps some pictures of the end result regardless? this way others can benefit from your experience and can use (or not use) the same method of modification.
 
I don't think I'm going to call this finished; but it feels a lot better already. (I basically stopped because I was too tired , and that's when ugly mistakes happen.)
Before:

After:


I'll probably soften the curve between the index and middle fingers, and maybe round & extend the top index finger curve to blend it in a little. I'll see how I feel the next time I pick it up.
 
Last edited:
Looks good! How does it feel? Will it work?
 
hhmoore said:
I don't think I'm going to call this finished; but it feels a lot better already. (I basically stopped because I was too tired , and that's when ugly mistakes happen.)
...
Click to expand...

Looks good, and good judgement to take a break before things got ugly. The factory micarta really makes a huge difference in my experience. I'd recommend trying that before taking off any more metal. I think you'll be very happy with it.
 
I've got other handle material on the way - it was supposed to be for the 15 & 16; but I had to do a substitution, so I was only going to take it off when the stuff I wanted got in. I decided that I'll use the substituted material on this, so I don't have to do double work on the others. I should be able to have pics by next Friday, at the latest.

And, to everybody that asked - thank you...it feels a lot better (but could probably use a little more work). As you can see in the second image, I started etching the logo after I stepped away from the reshaping station.
 
Couldn't sleep, so I decided to finish the reshaping.
The final cut:

I tried to keep it pretty clean, and avoided making sharp/rough edges...even went back and touched up the sides


Hopefully, I'll be able to get the handle scales at least rough cut tomorrow afternoon (assuming the stuff gets here early enough to allow that)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top