Modify a HAK straight edge blade into a spearpoint

[PNW goat]

I'm total newb to the forum so please forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place or ask stupid questions. I have an old Hideaway (HAK) Utility knife in 440c that has the wharncliffe-ish straight edge blade. I recently saw a pic of a Brock version of a HAK that had a spearpoint that was a bit shorter, and more shapely. So it got me thinking... how difficult would it be to modify mine to have a spearpoint?

1) Could it be done with a files or would I need an angle grinder?
2) can someone list the steps involved to do it?
3) Is this an exercise in futility for a newbie?

Here is a pic of what I have, and what I am targeting... Thanks!!

 

[Joseph H.]

This is not an easy task... so be aware before you start.

Files won't be sufficient. The steel from tje knife id most likely as hard ot harder than your files. You need a belt grinder for this or a disc sander. But thats going to be hard to make it look good.

As for the steps involves. First you need to round off the tip. But then your grindline will not be paralel to the cutting edge. Also the edge will be gone. It will be flat so you need to put a new paralel bevel to it and restore the edge. Than you do the swedge.

I would not start with this as a newby. But it can be done... a beltgrinder can be replaced by sandpaper, lots of grinding an lots of time.

Hipe it helps...

 

[Joseph H.]

Oh, i forgot... is it a flat or a hollow bevel? If its hollow, it is going to be almost impossible to make it look good. If its flat, it can be done. With sandpaper and patience. Lots of it ..

Also, you want to put a new finish on the entire knife. Otherwise the parts you worked on will stand out.

 

[PNW goat]

Thanks Joseph! i think the bevel is flat. Is this so difficult because the steel has already been heat treated? Sounds like it may to too much of a stretch for me. I really appreciate the input.

 

[Joseph H.]

Youre welcome.

The knife is hardend. And that makes it hard to grind. You can only grind it with something that's harder than the hardness of your knife. Files can be quit hard but do not work very well on hardend knives because the difference in hardness is to small. It will make work slow and dulls the file very quick.

I wouldn't try it without a beltgrinder. But he, i'm lazy...
If you want to try it, go ahead!

I would start by sanding down the bevel near the tip. Clamp the knife down. Take a blok of wood or something flat that you can hold ok. Not to small. Take a piece of sandpaper. 120 grit and start sanding the bevel near the tip. Keep an even pressure to keep the bvel straight. You want to keep the grindline paralel to the knife edge. If you keep grinding the knife tip will rise and so will the grindline. This way you keep 'an edge' an you can stop whenever youre happy with the result.
Keep in mind that after the 120 grit you must go up the grits. 120, 180, 240, 320, 400, 600, scotch brite and polish with some sort of paste. It will give you a satine finish. (I personaly skip the 240 and 400...)

But you wil have to do the entire knife or els it will look odd. You will never douplicate the factory finish.

Good luck and take youre time!

 

[PNW goat]

Thanks for the detailed instruction Joseph. I think I may give it a try. I'll let you know.

 

[Joseph H.]

Good luck and keep going till youre happy! Dont forget to post pics. If you run into problems, just ask!