Modified Production Knives (traditional only)

That 152 is a humdinger, Barry!
 
I don't know, but I'm going to find out.

A while back Jack had a show-and-tell and introduced us to the Belgian clasp knife. Apparently they were issued to the Belgian Army for a couple of years. Looking at it though I can't help thinking that it would look equally at home in the hands of a sailor.

I was able to find one of these clasp knives a few months back. Interesting piece, very different from anything else I own. I couldn't warm up to the synthetic, shrunken handles though. So I sent it off to Glenn for a makeover. I asked him to replace the plastic with ebony, in the hopes of transforming this knife into something more my tastes.

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He succeeded. I think this is now a knife Captain Martin might carry.

In addition to replacing the covers, Glenn also gave it a polish. Gone are all the offending rough spots. He slicked it up a bit too. I can pinch it open now. Even better, I no longer have to worry about losing a finger when I close the blade. He turned it from merely an interesting knife into a useful one. It's a handful, so I don't know how often I'll carry but it will definitely see some use.

Coincidentally the America's Cup is taking place this summer and it's going to be local. I think I'll bring the family to watch it, with my new clasp knife in the pocket of course. My wife will think me silly, but it seems quite apropos to me.

- Christian
 
Christian,

My brother uses a marlin spike all the time out at sea. Its great for loosening nots that have tightened too much.

Kevin
 
Lol...I know that part Kevin. I'm no sailor though, so a marlin spike doesn't have much obvious utility for me. I'll figure something out.

- Christian
 
Gotcha, wasn't sure if you did. Honestly I wasn't too sure until I asked him. I knew rope work but I wasn't sure.

I have one on a knife of mine and I haven't found too many uses yet in my day to day. Maybe to pop a hole in the bottom of a beer can when I was a wee lad :D

Kevin
 
That's funny. That was the first thing that came to mind for me too. The marlin spike does make you want to poke holes in things.

- Christian
 
Nice job on changing the color. I did the same thing to my Sunset single sowbelly. Toned it down a bit.

Nathan

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jc57 said:
My only mod to date is a dye job I did to make a Case Medium Jack in Sunset Winterbottom Bone look more like a knife and less like a circus tent.

Before:


After:
Click to expand...
 
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Nabbed this Case Sodbuster Jr. CV with forest green micarta scales by Seals off the exchange. Wanted it pointy so I sent it off to richard j for a blade re-shape. Been my favorite knife ever since~
 
Thanks for the comments on the mammoth Sharpfinger guys! :)

Vintage KA-BAR trapper; had cracked ice cell covers that were bad, re-slabed with some vintage honey stag.





I believe the skinny California clip is reasonably full and that the real thin tip was a style at the time, but she definitely shows some blade loss; suprising it is still full length.
 
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kamagong said:
A while back Jack had a show-and-tell and introduced us to the Belgian clasp knife. Apparently they were issued to the Belgian Army for a couple of years. Looking at it though I can't help thinking that it would look equally at home in the hands of a sailor.

I was able to find one of these clasp knives a few months back. Interesting piece, very different from anything else I own. I couldn't warm up to the synthetic, shrunken handles though. So I sent it off to Glenn for a makeover. I asked him to replace the plastic with ebony, in the hopes of transforming this knife into something more my tastes.

dsc0369xe.jpg


He succeeded. I think this is now a knife Captain Martin might carry.

In addition to replacing the covers, Glenn also gave it a polish. Gone are all the offending rough spots. He slicked it up a bit too. I can pinch it open now. Even better, I no longer have to worry about losing a finger when I close the blade. He turned it from merely an interesting knife into a useful one. It's a handful, so I don't know how often I'll carry but it will definitely see some use.

Coincidentally the America's Cup is taking place this summer and it's going to be local. I think I'll bring the family to watch it, with my new clasp knife in the pocket of course. My wife will think me silly, but it seems quite apropos to me.

- Christian
Click to expand...

That looks absolutely fantastic Christian, I've been excited about seeing this for a while, and Glenn has done his usual great job.

I've had a few of these knives, as well as the British Army models they're copies of, and they vary a little. I was lucky to get one where the blades are 'stepped' enough for the sheepsfoot to be pinchable, and the one I sent to Vanguard's son was even better. I like having a rough use knife that is over 50 years old (mine is from 1951), and carrying it takes me back to being a boy, as I had one of the British ones then :D

The British Army knife, which dates to 1939, is very similiar to the knife issued to the British Navy in the same era. The Navy knife omits the can-opener, so the blade is much easier to open, and it's somewhat larger overall.

These knives are certainly big chunks of steel to have in your pocket, and I've taken to carrying mine in a belt pouch. I also have a chain on mine.

Hope you get on well with your knife, once again 'Great Job' Glenn, and thanks for posting the photo.

Here's my old knarly thing out at the weekend! :D

Jack



 
I'm still a fool, just an orange fool, LOL!
 
kamagong said:
Who you calling posh? :D

This was supposed to be a knife that a working seaman might carry. It's all ruined now! ;)

- Christian
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LOL! Well 'Port Outwards, Starboard Home' (not that that's actuially true apparently)! :D Still, just about anything is posh compared to the war-battered 1939 Wraggs of Sheffield model I sent Duncan! :D

Jack

 
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