Knife Mod

[bearthedog]

I wanted to share a very simple modification to improve comfort while executing certain Bushcrafting grips. I am not going to get into all the possible grips for Bushcrafting, but mainly focus on the chest lever grip or side grip.

Chest Lever Grip-This makes for a power cut but can also be used for fine work. The advantage of this kind of hand position, is that you can have it at chest level right under your view for powerful yet very controlled cuts.

Notice the position of my thumb is half on the scales and half on the blade.

Under view.

A few knives that come standard with this thumb notch are:Muskratman Puuko/Bushcrafter, RAT RC-3, RC-4, and JK Handmade Knives Bushcrafter. I think the JK has the best all around handle that really fills the hand and has the best version of the thumb notch/ramp. Brian Andrews makes a mean Scandi knife with this same feature, but he isn't taking orders yet.

Quite possibly my most used knife at home and abroad, is the RC-3! RAT really has all aspects of outdoor use covered with the RC-3/RC-4.

I decided to implement this mod on a few of my custom knives that I use the most. My JK Hiker and Breeden Kat were used in the tropics extensively, and not just by me.

It starts with a simple hand sander and 50 Grit sandpaper. You can also tape the blade to keep it from getting scratched and for safety reasons.

A few before and after pictures of the Breeden C.U.B. (I have a few of these)

You can see the difference. The knife on the right has that sharp corner that can hurt after 1 minute of use.

 

[BlairB]

Cool, thanks!

 

[bearthedog]

Breeden Kat and JK Tactical Hiker before.

After
Kat-Hiker

Breeden Kat, JK Kephart, JK T-Hiker, Breeden Pathfinder, C.U.B.

 

[Rockywolf]

Excellent mod. And great knives!

 

[j williams]

Sweet Ruben!!!! I like the mod!

Hey is the CUBs scales differant thickness or is it just the pic?

 

[bearthedog]

Sweet Ruben!!!! I like the mod!

Hey is the CUBs scales differant thickness or is it just the pic?

Damn you are good J! The left C.U.B. is done with 3/8-inch thick scales but it made the knife real heavy. The 1/4-inch scales are just perfect. I don't know what Jeff H got on his. I think JK is using 3/8-inch scales on his Bush, but the wood is much lighter so he really got the balance right.

-RB

 

[j williams]

That makes sense. I can see how the 3/8 would be a little heavy, throwing ballance off. I need to get me one of those. Looks like a great blade. Is this one gonna be jungle tested?

 

[Cliff Nieporte]

I did the same to my Breeden Tyson Bushcraft:

Didn't take a lot off...just enough to get rid of the edge.

Those Breedens are nice,aren't they?

Cliff

 

[BOOMSTICK]

nice mod! I did that to a few of my fixed blades also, but what do the knife makers think of that? are they with making them like that already?

 

[bearthedog]

Cliff, that tyson looks good with the mod!

Boomstick, lets see your knives.

-RB

 

[BOOMSTICK]

here is my edc when I back pack. pardon the poor pictures I just took them right now.

I've been using this little guy lately, it is a titanium neck nife.

 

[BOOMSTICK]

I think they should take your advice and make the scales with the slant to them, the rubin scale effect....

 

[bearthedog]

Boom, that is a cool knife. Is it a Barkie?

Nice and comfy looking.

-RB

 

[BOOMSTICK]

yeah it is a E.L.K bark river. I dig all the knives you moded!
hey we need to get together one day in L.A. man. I might be down there in early november. my brother lives in north hollywood.

 

[bearthedog]

Boom,
I am planning on getting together with C Bryant next weekend for a little hike. Let one of us know if you want to go. That goes for anyone!

-RB

 

[BOOMSTICK]

I live in the bay area. I was planning a hike in the sespe creek area in febuary. would you be down?

 

[bearthedog]

If I am around, sure. I may be out of town for a couple of months around then.
-RB

 

[IUKE12]

Are you using just the 50 grit paper, or going through the grits to progressively finer? Would it make a difference?

 

[bearthedog]

I used 50 grit to sand down the sharp corner, then move to 150 to keep it grippy. For G-10 that may be too slick, but it really makes it look evan! I used 220 as final finish on a C.U.B. and JK Hiker, that worked out pretty good.

-RB

 

[Jeff H]

.....I don't know what Jeff H got on his.......

-RB

3/8"!
The handle is fat and round. I though that was part of the design. Maybe my comparison to a garden trowel makes more sense now. It is a little odd-feeling but not at all uncomfortable.

Useful mod, Bear'. Nice tutorial and comparisons.:thumbup::thumbup: