Lemons: BK-16 Mod Discussion and Ideas : Completed Photo's

[Zuluninja]

that finished 16 is one beautiful blade dex, congrats and thanks for sharing! to everybody here who has ever ground down steel, this is a wake up call! I have been lazy lately with my knives as I'm busting my ass to drop weight. Gotta make time to play with steel.

 

[Dexwithers]

Thank you Zuluninja!

 

[Dexwithers]

Ok, so while waiting for the stripper to work, I started grinding on the other 16. I couldn't decide between the bush crafter blade or the wharnie?
So I decided to start dropping the point and see how I like it. If I don't like it, then I'm gonna go all the way to the wharnie.

And Preferences among you guys? I think the bush crafter would be awfully useful but my regular 16 can do all the stuff it can. Now the wharnie would be something totally unique.

Ugh, can't decide which one.

Here is a pic of what I have ground off so far.

Maybe a bush crafter with a slight recurve? So many options at this point.

 

[PatrickKnight]

I personally think a spear point like what you have on the bottom is about the best blade shape there is for a bushcraft knife. One thing you might try to do is bring the point to a straight line with the knife like what you would see on a kephart style blade just to give it a more traditional blade profile. Also with that blade profile I think some ironwood handle scales would really make the knife just scream bushcrafter, then use some pins that would blend into the wood such as nat micarta or something to just give it that custom bushcraft knife look.

I really wish I had your talent as I will be attempting to do my own custom 16 project sometime this summer.

 

[Dexwithers]

I personally think a spear point like what you have on the bottom is about the best blade shape there is for a bushcraft knife. One thing you might try to do is bring the point to a straight line with the knife like what you would see on a kephart style blade just to give it a more traditional blade profile. Also with that blade profile I think some ironwood handle scales would really make the knife just scream bushcrafter, then use some pins that would blend into the wood such as nat micarta or something to just give it that custom bushcraft knife look.

I really wish I had your talent as I will be attempting to do my own custom 16 project sometime this summer.

Im gonna grind the tip a little lower tonight. I guess lined up with where the the middle of where the handle is going to be? And I think some Ironwood scales or something similar would look great. I will have to look into the pins. I have seen what you are talking about. Maybe brass or copper would look great too and get a great patina over time.

Good luck with your project! It really is so much fun. Just take your time and it will come out awesome.

 

[granitestateofmind]

Damn, Dex. That "sweet (chef's) 16" just looks fantastic. I haven't even thought about giving over kitchen duties to any of my Beckers as I have some pretty nice steel already in the kitchen. But that 16.....I don't blame you. I'd kick one of the Whustoff's outta the block for that beauty in a heartbeat.

 

[Zaper]

Dex,

What kind of material are the ebony and ivory below the wood scales on the shiny BK-16?

 

[Dexwithers]

I used G-10 for the liners. They were .030" thickness.

 

[daizee]

Looks great, Dex!

 

[Dexwithers]

Thanks Daizee!

 

[Dexwithers]

This is what I finished tonight.

 

[Jerry D.]

I like where this is headed. Looks a bit like a Beckhart to me.

 

[mrn8]

Dex, that's some great work! The first one is something to be proud of, for sure! I'm really looking forward to seeing what's next.

 

[ThePointyEnd]

Looks like another awesome mod shaping up, Dex. Good workmanship. And I love the theme and variations method to your madness

 

[hawkhead]

Holy Mackerel!!!!!! Your creative vision is in high gear.

 

[Dexwithers]

Thank you guys. This has turned out to be a really cool project. I am so itching to get them finished.



I did some more work today, got the liners and handle scales cut out and roughly shaped for the Lemonade. I decided to go with some dyed and stabilized spalted maple instead of micarta, with brass pins (corby actually). I want all three of these to be similar. I ended up ordering some Koa for the bush crafter model and am going to use copper pins for that one (I think). Well I'm gonna finish it out like a bush crafter and if I change my mind, I can always turn it into a wharnie later. lol

I am hoping to get some time tonight to finish the front of the scales and get them epoxied and pinned on so I can shape the handles tomorrow.

Here is a little peak at what things look like at the moment.

 

[Dexwithers]

Here she is all ready to be epoxied together. I dye the epoxy black too.

What a mess.......haha

Lightly clamped her............. and let her sit over night.

After I filed the pins down and cleaned up the edges.

Did most of the shaping with this sanding stick...... its just a wooden rod with 80grit sandpaper taped to it.

I put the thumb divots in using my drill press with a small drum sander attachment, then contoured the handles using my worksharp......... then hand sanded starting at 150 and working up to 2500.

Cleaned up here with a file.

That's all I have of the process...... enjoy

 

[Dexwithers]

Well guys, I just had to show y'all how she is looking. I absolutely love how she is turning out. I got to 600 grit and was like DAMN!!!

I still have lots more sanding and cleaning up to do and I haven't even started on cleaning up the blade and sharpening it.
I also need to shape the lanyard hole but other than that she is about done.

Here are a few teaser pics: (sorry about the crappy cellphone quality)

Cant wait to have this one done. Think she will be EDC for a while. And the block of Koa for the handles on number 3 should be here monday or tuesday, so she will be done sometime next week.

Enjoy guys.

 

[The Warrior]

Looks awesome Dex. :thumbup:

 

[Dexwithers]

Thanks Warrior!