Modified Production Knives (traditional only)

[penguin9]

Here's another knife assembled from a small bag o' parts that I got for practicing with. It is Moore Maker Mini Trapper that was never assembled. The scales were mismatched and the jigged bone one was badly cracked. Also, the liners didn't match, one was brass the other was steel. I intended to replace both scales with walnut, but after I looked at it, I didn't want to change the smooth bone one. It was just too pretty. I didn't have anything on hand that would remotely match the bone, so I went ahead and replaced just the damaged side with walnut. It looks a little odd, but it turned out to be a nice little knife.

Mark

 

[seas165]

Here was todays project one i took apart a few years ago to remove the lazy pen blade. Finally had the motivation to finish it. this one came out the best so far i think. There was a small crack from an over eager disassembly. I hopefully stabilized it with superglue. Other than that, its solid and smooth.

 

[ed_is_dead]

Here was todays project one i took apart a few years ago to remove the lazy pen blade. Finally had the motivation to finish it.View attachment 1752786View attachment 1752789 this one came out the best so far i think. There was a small crack from an over eager disassembly. I hopefully stabilized it with superglue. Other than that, its solid and smooth.

Thats lovely, it will serve you well and will mean more to you now as you have invested time and effort in it.
What maker?

 

[ed_is_dead]

Here's another knife assembled from a small bag o' parts that I got for practicing with. It is Moore Maker Mini Trapper that was never assembled. The scales were mismatched and the jigged bone one was badly cracked. Also, the liners didn't match, one was brass the other was steel. I intended to replace both scales with walnut, but after I looked at it, I didn't want to change the smooth bone one. It was just too pretty. I didn't have anything on hand that would remotely match the bone, so I went ahead and replaced just the damaged side with walnut. It looks a little odd, but it turned out to be a nice little knife.

Mark

"practicing"
I wish I could practice to that degree of aptitude, well done sir its a beaut.

 

[seas165]

Thats lovely, it will serve you well and will mean more to you now as you have invested time and effort in it.
What maker?

Its an old ulster knife co.

 

[Magizm7]

Just picked this up locally, modified by who knows. Needs a bit of tlc with some rust patches. The bone seems to have been dyed to a rather putrid brown so I think it may be a candidate for some new clothes.

 

[mrknife]

 

[r8shell]

Markesharp surprised me with a very thoughtful gift. An IXL Wostenholm Corn Knife, and a Schrade Cut Co. Walden Melon Tester. I get a kick out of purpose specific knives, and these are very nice examples.

Here's the "modified" part: I already own an IXL Corn Knife, and now that I have two, I want to restore and carry one of them. My first decision is which one? Both are in good, usable shape, but Mark's gift has slightly better snap, fuller blade, and less discoloration on the ivory. I'm leaning toward leaving that one as a better example, and doing the modifications on my old one:
(Mark's gift on top)

As I see it, I have three choices:
1) disinfect and sharpen it, and drop it into my pocket, as is.
2) try to patch the missing ivory with some piano key scraps
3) go the "art restoration" route, and fill the missing area with clear epoxy.

I welcome any suggestions.

I've done the #3 option with mother of pearl, and was pleased with the results, but I'm not so sure how it would look being around the pivot area. It would be a lot more noticeable than filling a missing chip on the side.

And just to further show my obsessive nature, I couldn't resist throwing down a low bid on one that looks to be in poorer shape, but I'll know more when it gets here.
Seller's pics:

 

[penguin9]

I bought this Boker Barlow last summer with the express purpose of re-covering it with something more attractive than the sawcut Delrin it came with. Not a bad looking knife, but I really didn't care for the way the plastic looks or feels.

I finally got around to the project last weekend. I've got a small assortment of exotic wood chunks and chose Bocote for this one. Here's the new and improved version:

Mark

 

[traumkommode]

I bought this Boker Barlow last summer with the express purpose of re-covering it with something more attractive than the sawcut Delrin it came with. Not a bad looking knife, but I really didn't care for the way the plastic looks or feels.

I finally got around to the project last weekend. I've got a small assortment of exotic wood chunks and chose Bocote for this one. Here's the new and improved version:

Mark

Great choice! Really well-figured and well-matched.

 

[bigfish64]

I bought this Boker Barlow last summer with the express purpose of re-covering it with something more attractive than the sawcut Delrin it came with. Not a bad looking knife, but I really didn't care for the way the plastic looks or feels.

I finally got around to the project last weekend. I've got a small assortment of exotic wood chunks and chose Bocote for this one. Here's the new and improved version:

Mark

Wow, that looks great. Nice choice of covers.

 

[jsdistin]

Just finished these up to go out this week.

 

[jsdistin]

It’s a bit of a stretch for posting here but I modded a solid brass cabinet knob into a knife bolster. It’s a bit amateurish but I’m trying to figure out a good handle style. This one has a longer bit sanded out for a thumb rest where the pin is on one side and less sanded out for the fingers to cradle on the other side. I’ll have to use it for a while to see if it’s more comfortable than my other chefs knives. If anyone has any critiques let me know I’d be glad to here them. I ended up using two of them, my wife was less than pleased.

 

[glennbad]

It’s a bit of a stretch for posting here but I modded a solid brass cabinet knob into a knife bolster. It’s a bit amateurish but I’m trying to figure out a good handle style. This one has a longer bit sanded out for a thumb rest where the pin is on one side and less sanded out for the fingers to cradle on the other side. I’ll have to use it for a while to see if it’s more comfortable than my other chefs knives. If anyone has any critiques let me know I’d be glad to here them. I ended up using two of them, my wife was less than pleased.
View attachment 1789982View attachment 1789983View attachment 1789984View attachment 1789985

I think it looks great! I like the "notched" area. When I'm chopping something, I like to choke up my fingers near that area. Not sure how I feel about the taper to the guard (utility-wise), but it looks nice!

Excellent work!

 

[JohnDF]

Those two in the middle (Natural and Green) are absolutely amazing... Love them.

 

[jsdistin]

I think it looks great! I like the "notched" area. When I'm chopping something, I like to choke up my fingers near that area. Not sure how I feel about the taper to the guard (utility-wise), but it looks nice!

Excellent work!

Thank you! I do the same thing when I’m slicing, thumb on top and index finger in the notch. The taper I thought to do for when I’m dicing and mincing. I hold the knife perpendicular to me with one finger on one side of the taper on the far side and the other three on the other side with the thumb on the long taper. It seems to work and be comfortable so far, but it is probably unnecessary.

Those two in the middle (Natural and Green) are absolutely amazing... Love them.

Thanks!

 

[penguin9]

Changed out the black plastic scales on a Sod Buster Jr. I bought a while back. The new scales are Bloodwood and the result is definitely an improvement.

I haven't used this type of wood before. It works a lot like Walnut and doesn't need stabilization. It seems like the sawdust gets everywhere, but it's probably just the bright red color that makes it stand out from all the other dust in the shop.

The actual color is a bit redder than what appears in the pics and I expect it to turn browner over time.

Mark

PS I had to dig pretty far down into the forum to find this thread. Y'all been taking the summer off?

 

[PoleMonkey13]

Had a couple of dead skunks skinned…

 

[JohnDF]

Looks really nice.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Changed out the black plastic scales on a Sod Buster Jr. I bought a while back. The new scales are Bloodwood and the result is definitely an improvement.

I haven't used this type of wood before. It works a lot like Walnut and doesn't need stabilization. It seems like the sawdust gets everywhere, but it's probably just the bright red color that makes it stand out from all the other dust in the shop.

The actual color is a bit redder than what appears in the pics and I expect it to turn browner over time.

Mark

PS I had to dig pretty far down into the forum to find this thread. Y'all been taking the summer off?

How sure are you that’s bloodwood? Looks fantastic regardless, but the open grain looks a lot like Padauk. Bloodwood is very dense, with an obvious but very tight grain.

For comparison, padauk and bloodwood, respectively… now that I look at it… hard to tell apart.

https://imgur.com/YNq5pYv

https://imgur.com/kjYR64S