Modifying Grayman Megapounder - my first foray into “knife making”

[vkosty]

I’ve been looking and reading about them for a while, but once they started the double bevel one pulled the trigger.
Recently acquired Grayman Megapounder 7.5” and instantly wanted to modify it.
First of all, the design of the handle is not very comfortable, as been reported by others. There is some strange “hump” at the bottom of the handle, right in the middle (shown on the picture). The picture came from the web site, the actual knife I received did'n look nearly as good. There is also a “hump” at the top edge of the blade purpose of which, other than adding width and weight is not clear to me. Both had to go. Also ground a couple of sharp corners.
I have used Grayman Satu folder as a template for the handle. Satu incidentally is a very well made folder and is one of my favorites.
The fit and finish, not unexpectedly (since the knifemaker makes it clear that the knife is quite basic), are not very fancy. The blade has pits and grooves on it, which even the black coat could not cover well. The coat itself had bumps and humps on it, looking almost spray painted (probably was).
So, I decided to try my “knife making”. The result is on the picture. The scales are maroon canvas micarta. Could be improved (and probably will later), but for now is quite comfortable in hand.
I used Brownells Aluma-Hide for the metal under the scales. If later want to coat the blade that is what I would do (have had good experience with this stuff with firearms in the past)
The balance is now just in front of the handle, ½ to 2/4 inch back from where it was.
This of course voids the warranty, but I don’t expect to need it for a knife that beefy
Before

After

 

[9blades]

That's one sweet blade may I recommend a swege if you happen to play around with the grinder again

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Very nice! Micarta is a lot of fun to play with. It's fun to make too.

It looks like you made some real improvements. :thumbup:

 

[Striderco]

I have to question you on this one. If you were so unhappy with this knife the way it came to you why didnt you just return it? I believe they have like a 30 day return policy. I have a Pounder and I love the handle just the way it is! Fits my hand great! You must have small hands. Congrats you removed the coating on the blade and altered the handle. I would hardly call that knife making. You criticize the finish when Grayman clearly states that they dont pride themselves in "pretty knives". Their knives are meant to be "pounded" on and beat to all hell! So knowing this why would you care about a blade coating that is not picture perfect? You polished up the blade and put a pretty handle on it so obviously you were after looks not just performance. Sounds to me like you wanted a shiny pretty knife to begin with, so again knowing Graymans reputation why purchase their product? There are plenty of pretty fixed blades on the market you could have bought without having to pretend you're a knife maker and make these modifications. This is one of the most ridiculous posts i ve ever come across! Keep your day job! :barf:

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Jeez man lighten up. Why do you care what he does with his knife? This IS the tinkering forum after all...

 

[momouppa]

I have to question you on this one. If you were so unhappy with this knife the way it came to you why didnt you just return it? I believe they have like a 30 day return policy. I have a Pounder and I love the handle just the way it is! Fits my hand great! You must have small hands. Congrats you removed the coating on the blade and altered the handle. I would hardly call that knife making. You criticize the finish when Grayman clearly states that they dont pride themselves in "pretty knives". Their knives are meant to be "pounded" on and beat to all hell! So knowing this why would you care about a blade coating that is not picture perfect? You polished up the blade and put a pretty handle on it so obviously you were after looks not just performance. Sounds to me like you wanted a shiny pretty knife to begin with, so again knowing Graymans reputation why purchase their product? There are plenty of pretty fixed blades on the market you could have bought without having to pretend you're a knife maker and make these modifications. This is one of the most ridiculous posts i ve ever come across! Keep your day job! :barf:

don't listen to striderco he is a grayman fanboy

jokes he helped put my mind at ease so now I have a grayman dua on the way thanks man

 

[Striderco]

I am a Grayman fanman! Not a boy. They make one hell of a knife! Many people will agree with that. Im sorry if you dont like my comments. Look at some pics in Graymans gallery and you ll get an idea what they are made for.

 

[discdoggin]

I am a Grayman fanman! Not a boy. They make one hell of a knife! Many people will agree with that. Im sorry if you dont like my comments. Look at some pics in Graymans gallery and you ll get an idea what they are made for.

Wouldn't they be made for whatever the end user has in store for the knife? If you don't appreciate someone who takes pride in their creation/modification, perhaps there's another subforum that you would be more comfortable in? Perhaps you are not comfortable in your own skin, or confident enough in your own abilities to take a knife that you appreciate and personalize it to YOUR perfect fit and finish. Whatever the reason, it's not good enough to criticize someone with the brass to undertake it...

DD

 

[HeavyHanded]

I’ve been looking and reading about them for a while, but once they started the double bevel one pulled the trigger.
Recently acquired Grayman Megapounder 7.5” and instantly wanted to modify it.
First of all, the design of the handle is not very comfortable, as been reported by others. There is some strange “hump” at the bottom of the handle, right in the middle (shown on the picture). The picture came from the web site, the actual knife I received did'n look nearly as good. There is also a “hump” at the top edge of the blade purpose of which, other than adding width and weight is not clear to me. Both had to go. Also ground a couple of sharp corners.
I have used Grayman Satu folder as a template for the handle. Satu incidentally is a very well made folder and is one of my favorites.
The fit and finish, not unexpectedly (since the knifemaker makes it clear that the knife is quite basic), are not very fancy. The blade has pits and grooves on it, which even the black coat could not cover well. The coat itself had bumps and humps on it, looking almost spray painted (probably was).
So, I decided to try my “knife making”. The result is on the picture. The scales are maroon canvas micarta. Could be improved (and probably will later), but for now is quite comfortable in hand.
I used Brownells Aluma-Hide for the metal under the scales. If later want to coat the blade that is what I would do (have had good experience with this stuff with firearms in the past)
The balance is now just in front of the handle, ½ to 2/4 inch back from where it was.
This of course voids the warranty, but I don’t expect to need it for a knife that beefy
Before

After

Looks great - was worth the effort just to upgrade the scales, but the entire package looks better than original.

 

[geargeek]

I think you did a great job, it's way better than the original IMO. Nice work!

 

[tobii3]

Outstanding job Vkosty! Honestly, I'd buy your version over the original!

 

[Striderco]

For those criticizing me for my comments I must say that I am more than confident in my own skin and do not claim that I am a knife maker. Hell, I dont even sharpen my own knives!! I have a wonderful friend that sharpens my knives with his paper wheels. I think Graymans way of thinking is along the same lines as Strider. "Strider knives are meant to be used & are not perfect. Most knives have a few marks, nicks, but that is the way it is. "Each has it's own personality", as some of you have said! If you want a perfect "looking" knife, do not buy a Strider! If you want a tool you can use hard and not worry, buy a Strider. No credit or sympathy will be given because "for $400 it should be perfect looking!" That is not what these knives are meant for. There are other knives that are better for a "safe queen". Strider is not one!" I will leave you tinkerers alone now!

 

[tobii3]

I think Graymans way of thinking is along the same lines as Strider.

The irony...

Hard to deny that Vkosty did, indeed, improve that knife design.

(Got booted...sorry for the trainwreck of posts)

 

[tobii3]

Doubletap

 

[Striderco]

The irony...

Hard to deny that Vkosty did, indeed, improve that knife design.

Well that is your opinion. There are numerous happy Pounder owners out there! All you have to do is read some of the reviews that Grayman has gotten. Their knives are being used by men and servicewomen and by first responders, all whom are very pleased with their design. Yes Vkosty can use a grinder/polisher and make a knife look pretty! I ll give you that my friend! :thumbup:

 

[vkosty]

Thanks everyone.
I did use quotation marks in "knife making". Promise to be less subtle going forward. I did buy the knife with the project in mind and having dealt with Mike and Sue before was happy for the opportunity to support their business, hence have not returned the knife. This is incidentally the 4th knife I have bought from them, of which I returned 1. So, the Grayman supporters can relax. I did like the tacticool pictures on the web site, but that was not the reason for my buying the knives. I am happy with how it feels in MY hands now and intent to give it some hard use (the pretty shining thing it might be).

 

[Mossyhorn]

The irony...

Hard to deny that Vkosty did, indeed, improve that knife design.

(Got booted...sorry for the trainwreck of posts)

I don't think that he improved the design. He merely modified the knife to suit his own taste. I happen to think quite a bit of Graymen knives myself and I don't think Striderco is a fan boy.

 

[Striderco]

To the OP, if you re happy with the mods you made to the knife terrific!! I wasnt trying to attack you or anything. And hell yeah i am a GRAYMAN FANBOY OR FANMAN!! Because they make some of the baddest most hardcore knives on the market!!!