I want to modify a 119-----HELP!

[Mr. Tettnanger]

Ok, I love the basic idea of the 119.

BUT, I *H*A*T*E* the guard on the handle! I really despise it. In my opinion...it handicaps the knife and holds it back.

My thought is to shave down both the front and back part of the guide. There is a fellow on YouTube that has done it and I want to do something similar.

Have any of you done this? Suggestions, warnings, tips?

 

[kyhunt]

To be honest the guard is what kept me from using mine for years. I often thought about shaving it down, especially the top. After using it a bit it doesn't bother me as much as it use to, but I'm interested in seeing folks' suggestion's on this. If you end up doing it please post pictures.

 

[beeinak]

I think the guard on the 105 is spot on- maybe something along that size/shape.

 

[TheFishman]

I have done similar work but not on a 119. I used a belt sander. Just rotate the knife back and forth on the belt never letting it stop in one place too long. The main thing to remember is to go slow and check your work often to see if it is even and where you want it. The photos below are from Jeff Nowak off the Buck Facebook group.

 

[kyhunt]

I have done similar work but not on a 119. I used a belt sander. Just rotate the knife back and forth on the belt never letting it stop in one place too long. The main thing to remember is to go slow and check your work often to see if it is even and where you want it. The photos below are from Jeff Nowak off the Buck Facebook group.

I really like that.

 

[eveled]

Some of older Buck knives have a taper on the top guard. Flush with the handle, with a slight ramp going forward. You might want to try an older one before you modify yours.

This one I modified the top guard to mimic an old one

 

[Zornhau]

I don't like top guards on knives, in general.

 

[howiema]

I did the top of my old beater 119, just sitting in the shop one night and decided to try it, I taped it off and used a file then some fine sandpaper.