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

[Semper Praesidio]

The handles are phenomenal, Dex.

 

[daizee]

Looking mighty fine, Dex!
FWIW, I always sand out the blade before the scales are on. lets me keep the ricasso clean with full strokes under where the handle seam will be, and it's much easier to clamp a blade to a knife board without scales in the way. Then I tape it up to protect it while doing the handle work.

-Daizee

 

[PatrickKnight]

I am for sure going to be using wood as handles for my project 16. I was unsure if I was going to use wood or some burlap micarta from Shadetree but these knives have sealed the deal. Only down side is I have ZERO ability to work with wood so I will have to send the knife out to someone to have them done.

 

[Dexwithers]

The handles are phenomenal, Dex.

Thanks!!

Looking mighty fine, Dex!
FWIW, I always sand out the blade before the scales are on. lets me keep the ricasso clean with full strokes under where the handle seam will be, and it's much easier to clamp a blade to a knife board without scales in the way. Then I tape it up to protect it while doing the handle work.

-Daizee

Thanks Daizee.

And yea I sanded the last one all out before. I did do a little sanding before hand on this one. So it didn't have to much left to be done. And I do it by hand on with sandpaper glued to a piece of glass and then finish up the high girts on a piece of plexi glass with a thin foam sheet stuck to it that I clamp sand paper to. The way I do it, the scales can't come in contact with the sandpaper at all. But I totally see how an accident can happen and then I'd have to start back at the beginning and get the marks out. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do things. Thanks of the advice! I know you've done way more than I have.
And I guess I need to figure out what a knife board is.......... probably make my life a lot easier. haha

I am for sure going to be using wood as handles for my project 16. I was unsure if I was going to use wood or some burlap micarta from Shadetree but these knives have sealed the deal. Only down side is I have ZERO ability to work with wood so I will have to send the knife out to someone to have them done.

I would recommend stabilized wood for sure. And it's really no different than shaping micarta. Actually it's a little easier. You should just practice on some cheap wood or something first. I'm sure you can do it.

 

[Dexwithers]

Well, the sun went down by the time I finished so all I could get was some cellphone shots in the garage. Gonna take some better pics tomorrow.

Got her pretty much done. I am having some trouble with the scales soaking up the oil is some spots, it's real burly towards the back end of the handle and just gets dry right away. I think I am going to buy a new can of tongue oil and switch to that. Or maybe do a shellac finish? Don't know. I'm using boiled linseed oil now.

Anyway here ya go.

Comparison Pic:

Family Photo:

And here is one to show that the liners are not all black. It was actually a black and a jade ghost one, which was sorta see thru, and doesn't show up good unless there is light on them.

 

[The Warrior]

Looks awesome man. Great job. :thumbup:

 

[338375]

That looks outstanding... The wood has a lot of character, and you did a great job on them

 

[Dexwithers]

Looks awesome man. Great job. :thumbup:

Thanks Warrior!

That looks outstanding... The wood has a lot of character, and you did a great job on them

Thank you Mike! And yea, I was a diehard micarta fan before this little project, now I love the wood scales a lot more. Have some stabilized curly koa that should be here next week and is going to look amazing on the bush crafter 16 I'm working on.

 

[daizee]

I'd like to try some stabilized wood. I've used dymondwood several times and it's very easy to work, but the 'real' stuff would be better.

And I guess I need to figure out what a knife board is.......... probably make my life a lot easier. haha

here be a knife board.
It's a piece of metal from the hardware store with a 90-degree bend in it, that I simply clamp into my vise. I use a piece of craft foam between the blade and 'board' for traction and to reduce scratching on the back side (also use tape!). Then the tang can be clamped to the board. Sand up to your grit, then tape it off and flip it over. You end up moving the abrasive instead of the blade - different strokes for different folks, as they say. But this is a VERY stable setup. BTW, if you do this, make sure your 'board' is long enough that the tips of your knives won't stick off the end. The very last thing you need is to impale yourself on your project...

 

[Dexwithers]

here be a knife board.

Thanks. Guess I need to rig something up like this.

 

[Cryptyc]

Dex #2 came out amazing as well. You have some amazing custom blades, and it must feel nice that you did all the work yourself.

 

[tfields]

those look great nice work dex you sure did turn lemons into lemonade!!

 

[Dexwithers]

Dex #2 came out amazing as well. You have some amazing custom blades, and it must feel nice that you did all the work yourself.

Thank you Cryptyc! And yes it does feel awesome that I actually did it myself, only problem is they came out almost to nice to use. haha

those look great nice work dex you sure did turn lemons into lemonade!!

Thanks Tfields! I think I did indeed.



I got out and took some better photos. I'm uploading them to photobucket now and should have them up shortly.

 

[Dexwithers]

Here are some more pics.

Man I'm really starting to love these thumb grooves....... Thanks B.O.B. for the idea.......

And the balance point is perfect, the knife feels like it's floating in your hand.

I still need to refinish the handles. You can see in some of the pics how some parts of the scales are really knotty. Also might patina it. Gonna wait till all three are done then decide.

And man, when the sun hits this bad boy, the colors just pop right out at ya.

Hope you all enjoy........... and thanks for taking the time to check out my work.

 

[iwouldhurtafly]

Freaking awesome Dex... I love watching all these blades come together. Very very nice.

 

[Dexwithers]

Freaking awesome Dex... I love watching all these blades come together. Very very nice.

Thanks!! This really has been an awesome project. Can't wait to finish number 3!



Also, I updated the progress pics on page 10 incase anyone wanted to see a few pics of the process I used.

 

[Dexwithers]

OK.......... so some ideas for the bushcrafter, Thinking of leaving an exposed pommel on this one because you would most likely need to baton the tip into small pieces of wood on a bushcraft knife right?

Also think I will make the handles a lot thicker than on these two since it will be a knife that will be getting used for long periods of time?

Should I maybe gun blue/bleach etch the blade to give it some character?

So far I am doing culy koa for the handles, with probably black and foliage green liners, and copper pins. I think that should look really good.

What else should I consider for a bushcraft knife?

Thanks again for your help guys!

 

[Zuluninja]

black scales with big orange "BG" letters on them?

they are coming out great, dex, like you said, almost too pretty to use. As for the extended pommel, maybe leave some more space between that and the scales? If that area will be receiving impacts you don't want any of that nice wood to be near it.

 

[Dexwithers]

black scales with big orange "BG" letters on them?

they are coming out great, dex, like you said, almost too pretty to use. As for the extended pommel, maybe leave some more space between that and the scales? If that area will be receiving impacts you don't want any of that nice wood to be near it.

Thanks! And I was thinking the same thing. Kinda of like how the stock scales fit but a little different. Don't want to impact the scales for sure.

 

[Dexwithers]

This should be nice!