IZULA mod: semi-mirror finish

BryFry

BryFry

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Jul 29, 2009
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Hello all! I recently decided to add a few neckers to my collection and after hearing so much praise for the izula I figured I had to get one.
It is my first Rat/ESEE knife, and I must say that my first impressions of it are good! :)

After using my izula for a while I decided that I like the rough grippy textured coating on the handle since it helps to keep a good comfy grip on the knife.
-But I wasn't too keen on having that grippy-ness on the cutting surface of the blade.... So, here are a few pics of my solution. I'm sure it's been done before, but I haven't seen any photos of it that I can remember.

I don't have a belt sander, so I just layed sandpaper down on a smooth piece of plywood, then just worked my way from 120 grit through 2000 grit, then used leather with some black then green compound....
various2008-2009190.jpg


It's not perfect since you can still see some lines in it, but it's smooth as heck now, and realy slices like a dream!! :D
various2008-2009191.jpg


I figure I must've shaved a millimeter or two off the total thickness of the blade, and the edge is now a bit thinner as well. -I finished by convexing the edge. It realy pops some hair now! :thumbup:
various2008-2009188.jpg
 
On the first pic I wondered if you convexed it ...and you did. I think that looks great and I bet it performs like a dream.
TC
 
That turned out really nice! I like the contrast between the powder coat and the polish.

Also, it's difficult to get a TOTAL mirror edge without a buffing wheel.
 
That's beautiful! I love the lines of the preserved coating. Looks like it came that way from the factory.
 
Me likey :thumbup:

Now you've got me wishing for an Izula in S30V stone wash.
Really, the Izula is a classic little blade and would look great in any finish.
Steal a page from Spyderco's Mule Team and make everybody happy. :D
 
i like the look of that man, it looks like a BRKT bravo necker. i bet it cuts way better. than the standard izula.
 
Nicely done:thumbup: How long did it the whole process take? How long do you think it would have taken you if you just wanted to convex the edge?
 
gundude73 said:
i like the look of that man, it looks like a BRKT bravo necker. i bet it cuts way better. than the standard izula.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah the Bravo was kind of my inspiration for this mod. They are both great little knives, and yes I think the Izula cuts/slices much better now without the coating. :thumbup:

Here's a pic of the two next to each other, the resemblance is now rather uncanny I think. :)
various2008-2009194.jpg
 
VR4 said:
Nicely done:thumbup: How long did it the whole process take? How long do you think it would have taken you if you just wanted to convex the edge?
Click to expand...

It took me several hours doing it by hand, can't remember exactly how many but it gave my arm and shoulder a pretty good workout!

Convexing the edge wasn't too bad on this little blade. It was made even easier since the edge had been thinned a bit by all the sanding I did on the blade. But for the edge I started with 320 grit and ran through to 2000 grit then stropped on some leather. I think it took me less than a couple hours, which is pretty good for me since I like to take my time when sharpening. -Other knives that I've convexed have taken me much longer in the past.

-By the way, I'm curious, do you happen to drive a VR-4 3000 GT? -Or does your VR4 stand for something else?
 
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