How much demand for 'stripped' Nimravus

e_utopia · Apr 25, 2000

Ok, a lot of people here strip the coating off of their Benchmade Nimravuses (Nimravi, probably) and Cubs. I'd like to get a 'head count' on how many have done so, and how many would actually buy one (or another, if you already have one) if Benchmade made an offering. Serious posts only, please, as I want to send Benchmade the address of this thread if it gets a good response. [Ok, i just wanted to add that I am specifically interested in the M2-bladed knives, not the ATS-34 ones, so all of you who have a Nimravus in ATS-34 and might buy an M2 one if it was not coated, chime in also]

--thanks,
JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 04-25-2000).]

Jackal · Apr 25, 2000

I'd LOVE to see stripped down Nimravi and Cubs. I think the BT2 "junk" is unnecessary on ATS-34 blades with the exception of extreme cases. I'd also LOVE to see BM offer stripped down M2 blades as well.

-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322

dogboye · Apr 25, 2000

I have considered buying another Nimravus, full size this time, in M2. If it were already stripped, so I wouldn't have to ... yeah, I could see me buying it.

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iktomi

Snoopy · Apr 25, 2000

I am still very happy with my stripped M2 Nimravus despite some corrosion on a recent knife abusive camping trip. I was curious and stopped using the tuff-cloth a while ago to see how long it would go. Last weekend I was camping in continuous rain where the knife never got dry and was stored unwiped in a tight (Livesay) kydex sheath. Sure enough black spots appeared and were attacking fast both on the blade and under the scales. It was easy to get the old finish back with the 3M pad though and I have now epoxied the scales on. So although it will corrode, it is no worse than my Carbon V Trailmaster or Randall and I like the way they look. I would be thrilled if they came from the factory with a satin finish and the area under the handles sealed. If not, I will do it all over again.

David

bigger picture here

[This message has been edited by Snoopy (edited 04-25-2000).]

Justin Moore · Apr 26, 2000

I as well like the look of it without the BT2, and would probably buy an uncoated version. Would be simple for BM to get these into to production for those that desired them, so I don't see why they don't do it. I doubt anything that WE do will exert any influence of them, but what the hell

its worth a try

James Mattis · Apr 26, 2000

I'd like an uncoated version. I'd also like the option of buying the bare blade, fresh off the automated grinder, for hand finishing.

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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001

Frank Jones · Apr 26, 2000

I hate coated knives. They start ugly and get uglier with every use.

I will buy more Benchmades, but I'll never buy a coated blade. So, if they want to sell me a Nimravus (a knife I have tried and actually am quite fond of) they'll have to make one without the coating.

Sergiusz Mitin · Apr 26, 2000

To let this thread do not look like one-side ground chisel blade I must say: I like non glare black teflon coated blades!
I'll try to explain why:

Corrosion resistance. If your knife is intended not for collector's box but for really heavy duty field use and you have not time to wash it daily, to pet it with lubricants and to blow off dust - BT2 coating is very sensible finishing. The continuous contact with an aggressive environment (for ex. salt water) can cause non-coated ATS-34 corrosion much faster than it can be imagined seating home. M2 blades are more corrosion-sensible.
Non-attracting attention appearance. It is not required if someone has intentions to swank with his knife but it makes a lot of sense in real defensive action. It is much more difficult for your assailant to recognize non-glare blade in your hand and it can rice your chances to survey the fight.
Last but not least. Black non-glare blades are appearing at my photos as they are instead of polished or shiny satin blades.

I newer know in advance - will shiny blade appear black or white, flat or hollow at my photos. Please look here for example: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001605.html

Oh, sorry, this thread should be serious

Of course this do not change fact that BENCHMADE should make non-coated versions of Nimravus and Nimravus Cub if so many people want to buy them. They are making almost all their knives in both versions - why no Nimravus?

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Sergiusz Mitin
gunwriter
Lodz, Poland

dogboye · Apr 26, 2000

Hey Snoopy, is that Nimravus picture before or after you epoxied the scales on?
How hard was it to epoxy the scales on? Did you do any special treatment of the tang before applying the epoxy?

Thanks.

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iktomi

Snoopy · Apr 26, 2000

This picture is after the epoxy job. I don't know if I did the job properly, but it was easy to do. I roughed the area up under the scales with sandpaper, gave it a wipe with rubbing alcohol (and the back of the scales) and left the knife in the sun a few minutes to warm and dry. I used an even coat of Devon 2-Ton Epoxy as it had been mentioned by Newt Livesay on his forum, and tightened the handle screws up. I then used tooth picks to clean up the excess epoxy best I could and clamped the whole thing in a vise overnight. Finally I used sandpaper, a 3m pad and credit card to do the final clean up job. I can only hope it keeps the tang sealed up, I feel good about it at this point. I had left the black coating on the inside edges of the cutout under the scales too. Could be time to get rid of the thumb ramp, after using this knife a lot I find it uncomfortable and like the way yours turned out.

dogboye · Apr 26, 2000

Doesn't sound too bad. I'll have to be sure and keep an eye on mine, under the scales. I was cutting up some smoked ham last night (really salty). I rinsed down the knife, and dried it off. I figure this will be the real test, if any of the saltiness got under the scales (even though I did leave a lot of BT2 under there.

Take that thumb ramp off.

To me, it DID make a big difference in the comfort of the knife while using it. Yeah, the thumb ramp makes sense, and is useful, if you are only using the knife as a fighter. Unfortunately (well, actually, fortunately), I don't use mine as a fighting knife.

Hey, if you really want to drool over a knife, take a look at this one. <center>

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It is a Kit Carson model. Schweet!

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iktomi