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

Mr. Tettnanger

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Jul 14, 2012
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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?
 
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.
 
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.
448993337_8539643006050890_6387977372100043851_n.jpg

448744495_8539642346050956_3333773139742876600_n.jpg

448832074_8539643159384208_5286085699084904166_n.jpg
 
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.
448993337_8539643006050890_6387977372100043851_n.jpg

448744495_8539642346050956_3333773139742876600_n.jpg

448832074_8539643159384208_5286085699084904166_n.jpg

I really like that.
 
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 IMG_7089.jpeg
 
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