I would love to purchase this knife: http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM13100, but the Harley branding is holding me back. Do you think you could replace the G-10 with wood or perhaps a Ti slab? Also, I'd like to get the name removed from the blade, and a low rider clip...
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Modding the new Harley Davidsons?
- Thread starter vanc99
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Don't know. I suspect the 'dead head' on the G10 scale is just a matter of removing the old ones, copying them in some other material and fitting it to the same spot but the blade etch may still be visible without physically grinding it off using a gator belt or scotchbrite wheel. I could try bead blasting the blade but many folks don't like bead blasting D2. I've done it with no worries but if you lived on the ocean or in a high humidity area it may not be advisable.
I ordered a mini HardTail for myself that should arrive sometime this week. Had not planned to remove either on my own though but once in hand it may tell me more.
STR
I ordered a mini HardTail for myself that should arrive sometime this week. Had not planned to remove either on my own though but once in hand it may tell me more.
STR
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Let me pull it up again and see what you are referring to. When you say, 'handle' are you meaning 'scale?' Because to pull off those scales on there is a matter of two screws I think unless they are glued in there.
If they come off I can copy them using whatever I'm sure. Small as they are its not a lot of sanding I don't think. I try to avoid a lot of dusting up the shop with my asthma but that appears to be a small job.
On the other. Lets just wait till Wed. or Thurs. this week when mine is supposed to arrive and I'll know more maybe.
I don't think I'm interested in trying to replace the aluminum and stainless sides if that is what you are asking. Too much work I am not equipped to do there I think.
STR
If they come off I can copy them using whatever I'm sure. Small as they are its not a lot of sanding I don't think. I try to avoid a lot of dusting up the shop with my asthma but that appears to be a small job.
On the other. Lets just wait till Wed. or Thurs. this week when mine is supposed to arrive and I'll know more maybe.
I don't think I'm interested in trying to replace the aluminum and stainless sides if that is what you are asking. Too much work I am not equipped to do there I think.
STR
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- Aug 27, 2004
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- 12,955
Looking at the pic on that one it appears the G10 insert may be dovetailed in there on the rear part. I can probably duplicate that unless they did it in some strange way like with a pattern or something requiring a CNC machine that I'm not able to copy. Again I won't know until I see it in hand later this week.
STR
STR
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I just recieved my HD BM Mini Hardtail in the mail earlier today.
Couple things to note right off that are worth mentioning. First, every corner on the folder was sharp even to my typical callused over rough skinned blue collar hands so first order of business for me right out of the box was taking all those sharp points down in the shop with a 3M cratex wheel on my dremmel. Its much better now! I can't believe for the cost of this folder something as simple as this gets out the door sometimes but go figure. Maybe someone in QC will catch it later or maybe the Harley fans just don't much care. I don't know.
Also of note, the pocket clip of course was the typical no retention clip which is the pocket clip tension I've come to expect from BenchMade anymore. I fixed that while in the shop too and that also is more to my liking and will likely keep the knife from lifting up so easy in the pocket when I step up or stoop like it could have before.
Also, speaking of the clip, it is not just the skull on the black G10 scales to worry with for you folks wondering about these but the clip advertises something much the same. Its an easier fix for the clip than the handles forunately and at least the handle emblems are not stand out types. If they were outlined in white it maybe is more to worry about. As is they are something you can't even really see or notice at first glance if the knife is on a bench and you lay it down while working. I was planning to replace these scale inserts with textured G10 of my own but to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure looking at the way these dovetails were done that I can duplicate it. I have no experiece making them this way so it may take some experimenting to figure out if I can duplicate it to fits as well as I'd want.
The folder is the perfect size. I love the weight at 3.1 ounces and the D2 blade has a needle point, came razor sharp along with the black coating, which I really didn't want but it was all they had in stock.
Thumb stud is ambi and not a bad looker. I love how much of the axis lock sinks down and connects to secure the blade on this one. It really slams up there on mine and you can tell from how well it goes up and how it sticks a little but not bad that its in there but good. The folder is a keeper, however, if you are one that can do without or will worry about the 'dead head' emblems on the scales and clip it may be necessary to avoid this one. I'd like to see Benchmade offer this one with some 'gents replacement' scales in various materials or at least one other sterile one. I can easily go about replacing the clip. It appears now that its just an optical illusion that there is a dovetail to the scales. I got one side G10 scale off on my folder to see how hard it would be to replace the scale or to look at any other things I'd need to see that need machined in there on the underside. There is one shallow hole for the scale to snap down over a screw under the scale.
There are two ways to go about this to get rid of the skull emblems off the scales and the clip. For the clip I could easily blast it. On the scale one is to just sand down the scale some in the middle and wipe off the skulls from each side which is not very deep in there and looks to be quite feesible actually. Two of course is to replace them. That I will likely do on my own here shortly. When I get it done I'll post it up. It may not be until after the forums open back up after Spark does the upgrade but we'll cross that bridge here soon enough. Bottom line is I'm sure I can rid the folder of all but the writing on the blade. I'd just have to have someone mail me their folder to see on that because I'm not stripping the poly coat off mine. That may change if it scratches up but I understand its supposed to be quite durable. We'll see.
STR
Couple things to note right off that are worth mentioning. First, every corner on the folder was sharp even to my typical callused over rough skinned blue collar hands so first order of business for me right out of the box was taking all those sharp points down in the shop with a 3M cratex wheel on my dremmel. Its much better now! I can't believe for the cost of this folder something as simple as this gets out the door sometimes but go figure. Maybe someone in QC will catch it later or maybe the Harley fans just don't much care. I don't know.
Also of note, the pocket clip of course was the typical no retention clip which is the pocket clip tension I've come to expect from BenchMade anymore. I fixed that while in the shop too and that also is more to my liking and will likely keep the knife from lifting up so easy in the pocket when I step up or stoop like it could have before.
Also, speaking of the clip, it is not just the skull on the black G10 scales to worry with for you folks wondering about these but the clip advertises something much the same. Its an easier fix for the clip than the handles forunately and at least the handle emblems are not stand out types. If they were outlined in white it maybe is more to worry about. As is they are something you can't even really see or notice at first glance if the knife is on a bench and you lay it down while working. I was planning to replace these scale inserts with textured G10 of my own but to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure looking at the way these dovetails were done that I can duplicate it. I have no experiece making them this way so it may take some experimenting to figure out if I can duplicate it to fits as well as I'd want.
The folder is the perfect size. I love the weight at 3.1 ounces and the D2 blade has a needle point, came razor sharp along with the black coating, which I really didn't want but it was all they had in stock.
Thumb stud is ambi and not a bad looker. I love how much of the axis lock sinks down and connects to secure the blade on this one. It really slams up there on mine and you can tell from how well it goes up and how it sticks a little but not bad that its in there but good. The folder is a keeper, however, if you are one that can do without or will worry about the 'dead head' emblems on the scales and clip it may be necessary to avoid this one. I'd like to see Benchmade offer this one with some 'gents replacement' scales in various materials or at least one other sterile one. I can easily go about replacing the clip. It appears now that its just an optical illusion that there is a dovetail to the scales. I got one side G10 scale off on my folder to see how hard it would be to replace the scale or to look at any other things I'd need to see that need machined in there on the underside. There is one shallow hole for the scale to snap down over a screw under the scale.
There are two ways to go about this to get rid of the skull emblems off the scales and the clip. For the clip I could easily blast it. On the scale one is to just sand down the scale some in the middle and wipe off the skulls from each side which is not very deep in there and looks to be quite feesible actually. Two of course is to replace them. That I will likely do on my own here shortly. When I get it done I'll post it up. It may not be until after the forums open back up after Spark does the upgrade but we'll cross that bridge here soon enough. Bottom line is I'm sure I can rid the folder of all but the writing on the blade. I'd just have to have someone mail me their folder to see on that because I'm not stripping the poly coat off mine. That may change if it scratches up but I understand its supposed to be quite durable. We'll see.
STR
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