modifing a ka-bar impact D2 spearpoint

O

octave210

Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
16
Hello everyone!

I am in the military and deploying in about a month over the pond and want to make my knife better or at least personlize it without taking anything away from performance so, it is completely a tactical knife and don't want it to fail when I will need it most. I have never done any modifing to a kinfe before and just had a couple of questions but, first what I plan to do. I'm going to make a new black canvas micarta handle(don't really like the feel of the stock handle) and I wanted to modify the blade a little bit maybe by drilling some holes along the spine towards the handle to lighten it up a bit and give it a personal touch. Ok so here are the question's. Is there any real easy way to make a new micarta handle and is canvas a lot better that linen? Second by drilling holes in the blade am I going to weaken it at all? What is the best way to accomplish it? (how far away from the spine should it be and how big i can make the holes) Lastly how will I be able to refinish the blade in a tactical black?

thanks for your time reading and replying!

octave210

"the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."

--SunTzu

ALREADY POSTED TO THE TINKERING SECTION BUT ONLY 4 PEOPLE ARE IN THERE.:o
 
I am by far no knife expert, but I was always taught that if you drill holes in somthing it's not as strong as it was before.
 
octave210 said:
Hello everyone!
Ok so here are the question's. Is there any real easy way to make a new micarta handle and is canvas a lot better that linen?
Click to expand...

The handles are held on with screws on that knife right? Take the existing handle slab off clamp it to the micarta and use it as a guide to drill the holes anmd scribe the outline of the handle. Then cut to the line. shape with a half round file and finish with wet dry sand paper.

Strength wise canvas and linen are about the same. Canvas is more "grippy" when finished.

Second by drilling holes in the blade am I going to weaken it at all? What is the best way to accomplish it? (how far away from the spine should it be and how big i can make the holes) Lastly how will I be able to refinish the blade in a tactical black?
Click to expand...

Drilling is going to be the biggest problem. Your blade is D2 steel and is very hard and wear resistant. Solid carbide drills are needed. You aren't going to take that much weight out by drilling a few holes, (not anything you would notice) Refinishing the blade would require powder coating, You can find places to do it in the phone book. (Trust me you don't want to try doing it yourself.)
 
Not being familiar with the construction method, I can't answer how to attach a new handle. Canvas is definitely "grippier" than linen micarta. I like to stop sanding it at 120 grit on a user. You can probably drill it with masonry bits, but i wouldn't. It won't make much difference, weight wise, unless you drill a bunch of holes, and then you have strength issues, along with concerns about moisture traps and possible blade drag in slicing cuts. You can darken D-2 with several etches in 3:1 water/ferric chloride. Hope that helps.

Good luck in the sandbox, and a heartfelt thank you for your service!

Todd
 
Like I lovetoolsteel said, if the handles are attached with screws you can use the exsiting scales as templates. Drilling in hardened D2 is a real pain in the ass and will not lighten it enough to be that noticable. Carbibe bits are expensive too. If you are going to use micarta get a respirator. It's nasty stuff to breath. Micarta is sandable but it's a hard material, so expect alot of elbow grease if you do it by hand. Canvas definately has a better grip to it. Good luck with your project and thank you for your service to your country. Stay safe.
Scott
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top