input needed-making custom izula

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garnto

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Well I have been toying with the idea of getting a knife stripping it, and then either buying or fashioning orange g10 handles. I think I have decided on doing so with the izula.


couple questions. what thickness are the scales on the izula or izula 2(so I know what thickness g10 to get)

and what grit sand paper would I need to get down to for a perfect mirror finish? or would I need to finish off on a leather strop?

I currently have 800 and 1500 grit. I can get 4 packs of 50 9x11 wet dry for $55

choices are 180, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1200

I was thinking 180, 400, 600, 1200

then picking up some 2000 and 3000 grit

edit: I apologize I didn't mean to post this here. can a mod please move it if needed.
 
Garnto,

I think your post is fine here personally, but I'm not a mod.

I do not know the thickness on the standard Izy scales. Try not to limit yourself to that though. I have one thick .206 slab and one thin .156 slab on my Izy (by design). I love the way it feels and handles. Make the grip one that's good for you. If that is the factory thickness grip great, if not, make it what you need. It is your custom blade!

Check out this thread for some general advice. These guys helped me a lot when I decided to make some slabs. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784917&page=2

Make sure you have a respirator. Don't breathe that stuff.

As far as mirror polish, I'm going to get a buffer wheel once I can liberate dad's old grinder. I think that should do the job. But, I've little experience with those high grits of sandpaper.

It's a really fun project and enjoy it. You'll love your new Izy when it's done.

God bless,
Adam
 
Can't say about the mirror polish. I don't have the patience and stop around 600 grit.:D The scales are about the same width as the Izula itself, say 1/8 or a little thicker.
 
if you want factory style hardware check here:

mcmaster car has the threaded parts you need also they are called standoffs
http://www.mcmaster.com/#spacers-and-standoffs/=8t1gsl
you might need to get a little shorter or longer depending on how thick the scales will be.
i used 1/4 g10 on mine and was just about right.

screws can be picked up at local hardware stores
 
Moving all the way to 3000 grit will get you well on your way, but anyone here who has managed to put a mirror finish on theirs (sounds like a TON of work) used a buffing wheel and spent hours polishing the whole thing.

Good luck on it though, that will be a cool one for you to show us when it is all finished up =)
 
wolffbite said:
Moving all the way to 3000 grit will get you well on your way, but anyone here who has managed to put a mirror finish on theirs (sounds like a TON of work) used a buffing wheel and spent hours polishing the whole thing.

Good luck on it though, that will be a cool one for you to show us when it is all finished up =)
Click to expand...

well I'm in college with my last final of the quarter tomorrow, and school doesn't start back til January. I run my own online business that makes plenty enough for a college student(only work an hour a day), and my gf/friends all work during the day.


what I'm trying to say is that I have a ridiculous amount of free time, so starting tomorrow I'll need something to keep me busy.

I'll look into getting a buffing wheel, and my dad has a grinder I could use it on.
 
You can always try Japanese waterstones garnto. I use them to sharpen and polish my knives. It requires some patience and practice to perfect the technique, but it's a skill that I think every knife owner should know. I use the King brand. 1000, 4000, 6000, 8000 grit.....in that order. If the blade is in rough shape I'll start with an 800 grit. Recently I've been wanting to try the 3M abrasive films but haven't got around to ordering any yet. Good luck with your project and be sure to post your results.
 
Lilknifekid,

Check out Alpha Knife Supply. They are a great supplier. They offer good prices. If you have questions they respond quickly. They also have a whole stock of G10 sheet and block.

God bless,
Adam
 
Tagging for reference - I've been thinking of attempting putting scales on both an Izula and my Busse Skeleton Warden.

I really like the scales being removable on a 1095 knife though (for maintenance), so I don't want to epoxy anything down - I'm thinking an order of G-10 from Alpha Knife Supply is in order and an Izula might be in my very near future.
 
you might try Harbor Freight for inexpensive wet or dry sandpaper.

i just got some assortment packs there with 2x 220, 3x 500, 3x 1,000 and 2x 1,200 at a price of $3.99 for those ten sheets. made in India.

haven't tried it yet, so i can't say if it's good, or garbage, but at this price, even if it's not great it can't be that bad. i figured it was at least worth trying.

personally, i've got custom knives with no finish and don't have a problem with a decent finish on a production knife. i'm gonna get some of the orange izulas and wait for TKC to come out with Izula scales in the black and orange tigerstripe like the stuff they have for the 4 now.
 
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