Modding my Howling Rat

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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I am contemplating modding my Howling Rat, IE a new handle and stripping the coating from the blade. If I like what I see, I will do the same to my Camp Tramp and Battle Rat. Will this void the warranty?
 
silenthunterstudios : try sending an Email straight to Jerry or Garth as well as looking for input here. I remember I was going to buy a beautifully modded BM-E that had been given a clip point by Bill Siegel (sp?) who has a very good rep in the knife world. Jerry finally came to my thread and stated that since it was someone outside the Busse Co. it did indeed void the warranty of the knife. But Jerry also told me I could buy it w/ confidence because it was Bill who did the mods.

Maybe you will get a different response than I did because the mod I inquired about was done directly to the blade.

Let us know what you find out. I'd love to see these mods.

Good luck bro.
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
silenthunterstudios : try sending an Email straight to Jerry or Garth as well as looking for input here. I remember I was going to buy a beautifully modded BM-E that had been given a clip point by Bill Siegel (sp?) who has a very good rep in the knife world. Jerry finally came to my thread and stated that since it was someone outside the Busse Co. it did indeed void the warranty of the knife. But Jerry also told me I could buy it w/ confidence because it was Bill who did the mods.

Maybe you will get a different response than I did because the mod I inquired about was done directly to the blade.

Let us know what you find out. I'd love to see these mods.

Good luck bro.
Click to expand...

Well, there is a guy in Scotland who influenced me, and Mike Stewart from BRKT. I really like my Rats, but I would love to see some satin blades. Since I can't afford to buy these models again with satin blades straight from the factory, I figured I'd have to mod them. I'll PM Jerry. Thanks.
 
If you plan on just satin finishing the blade this will not void the warranty as long as you do not use any power equipment (even dremels can screw up the HT if used incorrectly)

If you change the handles out the warranty will still be intact for any non-modified part of the blade. We can not warranty someone elses work, but we do stand behind ours as long as no grinding takes place on the blade.

I hope that helps

:D:D
 
DOAH!!!!

I go back and forth so often from Busse and Swamp Rat forums that I often forget where I am. All the "warranty" questions for Rats of course go through Eric.

Sorry Eric. :o


Good luck with the mods and remember to post pics when finished. :D :thumbup:
 
Eric Isaacson said:
If you plan on just satin finishing the blade this will not void the warranty as long as you do not use any power equipment (even dremels can screw up the HT if used incorrectly)

If you change the handles out the warranty will still be intact for any non-modified part of the blade. We can not warranty someone elses work, but we do stand behind ours as long as no grinding takes place on the blade.

I hope that helps

:D:D
Click to expand...

So are you saying that the SR Custom Shop can put a satin finish on a coated blade like the HR LM? I guess what I am getting at here is that if you folks did it, then that would eliminate any question of who put and how they put that satin finish on there should there ever be a warranty issue with such a blade. Thanks.
 
I did this to my new knife;)
It's totally usable now.:thumbup:

HRLM001-2.jpg

HRLM005.jpg

HRLM027.jpg
 
Probable put some black paint or such on it.
I went slow and took my time, just removing enough to where the blade did not cut my finger.
The way it was, I felt that I would try to use the choil and cut my finger, so had to do it for a user.
Cleaned up the micarta a little.
Really feels nice in the hand now.
I really like this knife:D


I guess I voided my warranty, but I don't think the knife will fail me, so it's okay with me.:D
 
1whitefoot said:
Probable put some black paint or such on it..
Cleaned up the micarta a little.
Really feels nice in the hand now.
I really like this knife:D
I guess I voided my warranty, but I don't think the knife will fail me, so it's okay with me.:D
Click to expand...
black engine enamel paint is pretty darn tough.. kinda shiny though.. dunno if it comes in flat black.
yeah i noticed you took off the hairy-looking corner of the micarta.

looks good.
imo.. ergonomics & user comfort is more important than warranty.. otherwise knife won't get used how you wanna use it.
 
I did this to a blade I had that needed an "extra touch" of something. It was a good carbon steel blade, but my system makes my fingers into 10 little rust factories. Got tired of cleaning it and saw a blade that a friend had done, liked what I saw, so tried it.

If you are not sure about it looking OK, make sure to practice on a friend's knife first. ;-}

Actually, the little touch-up you have to do on that choil won't even show. I used a simple cold blue product that comes in a tube, by the way.
 
I have used blues and a ceramic paint that you cure in the oven. The ceramicoat stuff is close to the stock powdercoat but not as durable.
That choil looked so good I did not know what you had changed.
 
I considered taking the blade forward but did not want to lose any of the cutting edge :(

So, seeing as how the rear part of the choil served no purpose the way it was,
I just brought it back a little at a time till my finger fit in without cutting it on the edge.
It feels just 'right' now :)

In the prototype pic, the small choil looked alright to me, but why it was made bigger, without being big enough, is kinda strange :confused:

I guess maybe they wanted to 'standardize' it.
Be nice if they changed it with the new batch :D

Anyway, it really feels good in the hand now, the choil is quite usable.

What do the rest of you do with your choil?
Do you use it or not or just kinda?
 
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