IZULA/bk14/tweener

NikkiR said:
Try not to screw your heat treat on the 16 as you grind it....also...that poor 16. There has to be another way....like you could send it to me.
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Yes, don't get it above about 350 degrees. And seriously, don't do it. You'll regret it. If I had converted my only Mora to full tang, or my only BK13 to a folder, I would regret it. Just grind your own out of the 1095, like you said. Otherwise, you will have neckers and the 9, but no mid-size blade.
 
Unless you have an expendable income, and can just buy knives whenever you like....why not?
 
I am going to redact and agree with some of the other posters in saying... INSTEAD of grinding your 16, take the izula and make a spacer for the end of the scales out of plastic or mild steel. MUCH safer, MUCH easier, and it still is going to be just as strong as the izula is stock ssssooooo. You could just affix the scales with a spacer that takes up any gap (spacer/ filler out of metal or plastic) THEN fill any gaps with epoxy or JB weld to make it solid. Then if you change your mind the knife can be freed without much fuss.

For example. Here is a WIP pic of a Kershaw Leek FB I did. Used pins, a set of 14 scales and some resin to fill the gaps.

Its as solid as a rock and it is an amazing tip slicer for around the work bench Albeit fugly as sin lol.


IE this is the method you might find easier to DIY without serious possible issues.
 
granitestateofmind said:
Do what you will, but one thing I learned when I was working at a printing shop (I was 15) was that it's better to work smarter, not harder. One of the pressman would say that to me at least once every time I was working - MM: ask yourself this question: If you already have the blade shape you want, why grind another when you can put the handles you want on the blade you already like without trying to grind hardened steel? Of course, if you like doing the fool's errand (my opinion) then go for it. Or maybe post your idea over in the Knife Maker's forum and ask the pros what they think. As a friend of mine puts it: why skin a fart to save a nickel and ruin a 25¢ knife? My 2¢, of course.
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Alright, Jeff personally gave my izula to me, so if I do that I will have to purchases another one. I think I'll buy some 1095 and grind it out, and send it to Petersons, that's probably what I will do (cheaper)
 
9701496079_bfabd2df2d.jpg
[/url] photo.JPG by creakybonespics, on Flickr[/IMG]

I've posted this before, so I'm sure many of you have already seen it. Like most in this thread I love my 14 but the Izula II handle is about a bazillion times more comfortable because it's longer, so I made a cedar handle for my 14 that is about 3/4" longer than the actual handle. All I did was cut a slot in the cedar block on my table saw, slid the handle in with some epoxy on it, and wa-la. A little sanding, some shaping, a couple of brass pins, some spar varnish, and a 14 that was amazing to hold and work with. I've thought for a while now that the lack of a smaller blade with a full sized handle was a hole in the Becker lineup.
 
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Creaky Bones said:
9701496079_bfabd2df2d.jpg
[/url] photo.JPG by creakybonespics, on Flickr[/IMG]

I've posted this before, so I'm sure many of you have already seen it. Like most in this thread I love my 14 but the Izula II handle is about a bazillion times more comfortable because it's longer, so I made a cedar handle for my 14 that is about 3/4" longer than the actual handle. All I did was cut a slot in the cedar block on my table saw, slid the handle in with some epoxy on it, and wa-la. A little sanding, some shaping, a couple of brass pins, some spar varnish, and a 14 that was amazing to hold and work with. I've thought for a while now that the lack of a smaller blade with a full sized handle was a hole in the Becker lineup.
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That's nice work.

More or less what I was thinking. Why not an Eskabar-2? Same blade but with the longer Izula-II handle. Might be nice. Factoring in blade and handle length it would be darn close in size to an ESEE-3.
 
I agree, don't grind the 16! Find a way to rig up the handle scales. Or, a Busse Scrapyard 3.11 comes to mind as an alternative...

Here is another variation for you, I would like to see tweener sized blades on full sized Becker handles. A 16 with a 2 handle would be awesome!

Dax
 
mountainmist said:
Alright, Jeff personally gave my izula to me, so if I do that I will have to purchases another one. I think I'll buy some 1095 and grind it out, and send it to Petersons, that's probably what I will do (cheaper)
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Whew. Ok, good.

Next time don't scare us like that! ;)

But I do think that you will have a lot of fun grinding it out, and in the end, you get to still have a stock 14/Izula, a stock 16, and your self-made custom.:thumbup:
 
This thread intrigued me and so I had a go at mocking it up. I think the handles look pretty good on my eskabar, I just have no idea how to secure this properly. anyone have any ideas?


only the middle screw is through the body, I suppose I could size some wood in there to help with traction, Top hole is blocked by the knife, might have to fill it in, last screw is hanging freely.
would love to hear from the experienced DIYers cos I have no experience in this whatsoever
 
You could add filler wood or maybe even colored G10 for a super cool look--I would use epoxy to secure it if you're serious about not going back to stock.
 
Kid, Dont do it!! When I get home from work I will post a pic of this knife you designed. I was thinking the same thing about the blades and with the help of my boss who is a custom knife maker I created a knife that is shorter than a 16 but longer than a 14 with tweener scales!! Now mind you it started that way and if you have ever made a blade which this was my first I messed up and the handle changed a little but the blade is a solid give away for a Becker.
 
Seems like an interesting idea. I agree that probably fitting BK16 handles to a 14 or an Izula would probably be a lot easier with less chance of screwing up the knife.

This thread is making me want a BK16 :confused: My wallet can only take so much guys.
 
I think its a crazy idea and a great way to ruin the BK-16. I would try to just extend the scales om the BK-14 a bit like Creaky Bones did. I believe you have already made some handles before. The micarta handles by TKC are pretty nice (3-finger size) actually but they give you no extra length.

The IZULA and the bk14 are good blade shapes but the handles are uncomfortable with prolonged periods of time.
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From my point of view, it's nice to see normal people admitting that the sketetonized handles aren't very comfortable . They mostly just hurt.
 
Steven Johnson has a 3D printer.

he prints his prototypes and handles...

now, if someone were SMRT, they'd design a handle they like, and make a Shapeways pattern. done!

Steve's are cool, because he's using a nylon printer. super tough handles from the get go.

gooooooOOOOOooooooo Steve!
 
Creaky Bones said:
9701496079_bfabd2df2d.jpg
[/url] photo.JPG by creakybonespics, on Flickr[/IMG]

I've posted this before, so I'm sure many of you have already seen it. Like most in this thread I love my 14 but the Izula II handle is about a bazillion times more comfortable because it's longer, so I made a cedar handle for my 14 that is about 3/4" longer than the actual handle. All I did was cut a slot in the cedar block on my table saw, slid the handle in with some epoxy on it, and wa-la. A little sanding, some shaping, a couple of brass pins, some spar varnish, and a 14 that was amazing to hold and work with. I've thought for a while now that the lack of a smaller blade with a full sized handle was a hole in the Becker lineup.
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I have seen that before. Really nice CB.
 
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