Hank Sr., The Dean. BK4 MOD (Machax O Daizee)

granitestateofmind

granitestateofmind

Joined
Apr 20, 2013
Messages
7,205
In a recent thread about why the Machax is so "angle-y" a certain Beckerhead posted a stock photo of a BK4 that he had digitally rendered modded to remove the Hank Jr. and was subsequently labeled the "Hank Sr.". I thought it was a really sexy rendering, and decided (since said renderer wasn't going to do it himself) to take my Machax to the grinder.

Before:

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A few minutes in with an 80 grit disc:

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Switched to a 40 grit and proceeded with caution:

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Getting close:

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Now to the part I was fearing, as I really had no idea how to swedge this to make it look anything like the rendering. Lines have been drawn:

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Best I could do, given my limited experience:

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Ready for reassembly:

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Still hits pretty hard, although I didn't use it a hell of a lot before. This is a sugar maple chopping block:

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Chops pretty well:

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And batons, too:

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Thanks to daizee for the idea and the rendering. And for the inspiration to grind steel off a perfectly functional knife. Luckily it fits in the original sheath just fine. I have some plans for wood scales (I have some http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/katalox/), but y'all will have to wait for that. For now, it's going to get some use. This is what it did for me tonight:

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And I used my 11 mod to open the beers!
 
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That's gorgeous. I'm working on my own 4, slowly but surely (a winter project dragging into spring).....

Thanks for the inspiration!
 
Nice work man, I think it looks freakin' cool.
 
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GSoM, that's pretty hardcore.
But there's still a sharp transition. Any plans to smooth it out or round it over? Or are you pretty happy with it now?
 
3 Cheers for The Dean!!
That's sweet, GSOM!
 
Looking sweet :thumbup:

Did the addition of that Hank sr. change the balance much?
 
tjswarbrick said:
GSoM, that's pretty hardcore.
But there's still a sharp transition. Any plans to smooth it out or round it over? Or are you pretty happy with it now?
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I think I'm just gonna leave it alone. I was batoning with it yesterday and it seemed fine. Mostly, I like the way it looks as is. I know that sounds superficial (insert "valley girl" inflection), but that was really what this project was about: superficial looks! Pus, it still chops pretty good (here the evaluation is most certainly colored by the evaluator's limited skillset)........and it's still a Becker under the hood.

daizee said:
3 Cheers for The Dean!!
That's sweet, GSOM!
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Thank you, sir. And I do mean thank you, as your rendering was my reference and muse for this thing in the first place. I'm sure you'll get some hands on at some point.

TBL said:
Looking sweet :thumbup:
Did the addition of that Hank sr. change the balance much?
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While I'm sure it did, I have neither the skills nor the discerning hands of a professional to know how much. And I don't really care (see above for reasons why not).

Thanks to everyone else for your compliments. I have some plans to dress it up a bit...but not so much that I wouldn't want to use it. The more I use this knife (even in it's former incarnation) the more I like it. Chops great, batons pretty well and makes feathersticks like nobody's business. Probably not a good choice for food prep, tho, unless you're lopping heads off things you plan to eat. Or things planning to eat you ;).
 
Jonny1280 said:
That looks awesome!
Great job once again GSOM!
Very, very nice.
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Monkeyz said:
Looking freakin good man!
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worldwood said:
Love it man!!
Your doing great with these mods!!
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Thank you for your positive feedback!

MezmerizedOne said:
Damn fine work! Makes me want to pick up a 4...but I must save for others first! Lol
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I was of the same mind, but now I (and a few others (Jonny1280 for one) would suggest you move this very capable big blade to the top of your list. Or perhaps second to the top; we don't want to anger the King. If you get a chance to handle one, I think you'll see what I (we) mean.
 
If you want to normalize the facets on that left side swedge, just follow rule #2 of Rock'n'Roll Knife & Tool (quoting '71Commando): "Sandpaper is your friend."
Git yerself a sanding block and flattenize it.
 
daizee said:
If you want to normalize the facets on that left side swedge, just follow rule #2 of Rock'n'Roll Knife & Tool (quoting '71Commando): "Sandpaper is your friend."
Git yerself a sanding block and flattenize it.
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I will try that, eventually. For now, the simple fact that I didn't completely bollocks it into unusability is good enough. Probably do it when I try to thin the edge a little...after I make the scales. No sense making it really sharp first. Also, I need to normalize the facets on the right side swedge, too. Neither one is perfect, and because the grind was already done on the blade (I surmise, by looking at some of my other Beckers) I'm never going to get a perfectly tapered swedge anywho.

Can I send a package to your PO Box? I have something for you. PM me if not, please.
 
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