Ka-Bar Phat Bob impressions - is it worth the price?

crimsonfalcon07

crimsonfalcon07

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Dec 27, 2010
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Short answer, yes. Is it going to find it's way into my EDC rotation? I don't know. Performance is solid, ergonomics and lefty-friendliness leave a bit to be desired. I've posted up my full thoughts thus far in this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ich-5-Great-EDC-s-in-a-city-oriented-showdown!

2011-09-12094343.jpg


I plan on modifying the grip somewhat to give it a better feel in hand. We will see how this project turns out!
 
mmm. it's a great knife. i was highly amused to find out after i got mine, Ethan has been carrying one for a while. had mine at Blade show :> good stuff.

highly recommend the regular model, esp for the price... awesome...
 
Ok, so I spent a bunch of time with some sandpaper, rounding out the grips, widening the notch by the thumb stud, and in general shaping it so that it doesn't have quite as much of a blocky feel. I also thinned out the grips a little so it would fit better in my hands and pocket, and then finished it with lacquer. It now feels much better in hand, and as that was one of my major complaints about the knife, it will fit my purposes much better. Also, the sanding really brought out the pattern in the Micarta, so it looks more stylish, in my opinion. What do you think?

2011-09-13125401.jpg


Here's some side views so you can see how the shape changed. I rounded the sides, and tapered the bottom of the handle. A little file work on the notch in the handle to make it more of a finger groove, and a little extra flattening on the opposite side to improve grip between thumb and pointer finger for better control.

2011-09-13125420.jpg


2011-09-13125451.jpg
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Ok, so I spent a bunch of time with some sandpaper, rounding out the grips, widening the notch by the thumb stud, and in general shaping it so that it doesn't have quite as much of a blocky feel. I also thinned out the grips a little so it would fit better in my hands and pocket, and then finished it with lacquer. It now feels much better in hand, and as that was one of my major complaints about the knife, it will fit my purposes much better. Also, the sanding really brought out the pattern in the Micarta, so it looks more stylish, in my opinion. What do you think?

2011-09-13125401.jpg


Here's some side views so you can see how the shape changed. I rounded the sides, and tapered the bottom of the handle. A little file work on the notch in the handle to make it more of a finger groove, and a little extra flattening on the opposite side to improve grip between thumb and pointer finger for better control.

2011-09-13125420.jpg


2011-09-13125451.jpg
Click to expand...

HELL YEAH!!! Now that's what I'm talkin' bout. Moddin' the Phatties, I bet this trend will catch.

Moose
 
I'm glad that didn't count as blasphemy or something. I actually just made a couple other changes to the knife as well. It's kinda nice having an inexpensive, yet high quality folder to modify, as it happens. I've now added some notches (jimping, I guess) to the sides on the front and bottom, which give it a much better positive grip. I also ground in a little groove on the back of the blade right above the jimping to provide my thumb somewhere to rest comfortably when I choke up on the knife, which also provides an easy place to grab when I'm doing a one-hand close. I'm really starting to like this knife. Love me a good little project!

2011-09-13163555.jpg


Here's the texturing to the front of the handle. Improves my grip, although I still managed to get bit. First time I've had a knife cut in nearly 3 years!

Here's the blade with the little mod done:

2011-09-13163615.jpg


My thumb fits nicely into the new spot for it:

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Here's the knife in hand. I designed the notches to allow control for my pointer finger, and my ring and pinky fingers:

2011-09-13163713.jpg


I will be interested to see what mods others come up with, if Moose's prediction turns out to be true.
 
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Great mods! Well thought out and I liked the photos too. I'm tempted to do all this myself too.
 
Well, it will certainly probably reduce the resale value. But I really like the knife much better because it just feels so much better in hand. And hey, it's not like they're terribly expensive knives that you'd be ruining! Makes a heck of a good project knife. I'm actually thinking about making some cocobolo scales for mine.
 
funny, I've got two pieces of mesquite on my bench that are destined for mine :)
 
Great job on the mods man. This knife hasn't left my pocket since a got it. No one can believe the value either. Just a cutting machine. Thanks Moose!
 
Thanks! I definitely recommend rounding out your scales. It's just so much better in hand. I'm kinda hesitant to make scales for this knife because it's already micarta, and I think it looks pretty good already. Definitely a sweet knife, and I'm looking forward to having some time to do the next round of tests.
 
That looks great. I just got my Phatty in d2 yesterday and I absolutely love it. It's in my pocket right now. I'm thinking of buying my dad one just as soon as funds allow. He seemed to really like mine.
 
:mad: :mad: :mad: Why is it that every single person in the entire world has been able to get one of the D2 ones but I haven't, no matter how many times I talk to that guy??!? I'm freaking out, man :mad: :mad: :mad:

Still, that's awesome that you got one :)
 
The company that has the special run of D2 Phat Bob's sells a large number of them on one of those auction sites, you know the one ...
 
I know that KABAR used 220 on the special edition D2 ones, which gives a much better feel imo than the polish of the regular production version.
 
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