Modifying The Blade/handle On Existing Knife?

[Texas_Tony]

Sorry if this is as plebe question, but I have not had any luck with searches.

I am looking to modify a Cold Steel Trailmaster, specifically looking to make the blade a bit lighter.

1. What is the process to add "blood grooves" to an already existing forged blade but not loose blade integrity (other than perhaps the reduced metal)?

2. Or hollow out some other full tangs I own?

Will this require heat treating and refinishing?

Is there a company that specializes in this?

Thank you knife experts!

 

[danbot]

Sorry if this is as plebe question, but I have not had any luck with searches.

I am looking to modify a Cold Steel Trailmaster, specifically looking to make the blade a bit lighter.

1. What is the process to add "blood grooves" to an already existing forged blade but not loose blade integrity (other than perhaps the reduced metal)?

2. Or hollow out some other full tangs I own?

Will this require heat treating and refinishing?

Is there a company that specializes in this?

Thank you knife experts!

"Hard milling" on a CNC machine would work for that. But it's not gonna be cheap!

 

[GermanyChris]

The "blood groove" is a fuller

 

[panoz77]

I'd just buy a knife that better suites your weight requirements. You will probably have more in modifications than buying a new knife or than the existing knife is worth. Not something you are going to do with a grinder and dremel without destroying the blades. I'd guess if you really are set on modifying it, find a shop with a water jet and they could probably skeletonize the handle without doing damage to the knife. As for making the blade lighter, you could probably find someone here willing to do some additional stock removal and re-grind the blade to a thinner profile to reduce the weight. Again, probably not worth the money or hassle.

 

[Texas_Tony]

I am OK with spending the money to get what I want, which is essentially a long, well balanced Bowie that is strong, thick, yet lighter (especially in the blade). I do not want a thinner profiled blade though.

I guess I do not know how to do this without ruining the blade (though I will look at the suggestions posted), or by having a custom knife built to my specs, ground up?

 

[ATJ999]

I would save the money and spend it one a custom that has everything you are looking for. If you find the right maker, it will not be too expensive.

 

[marcinek]

I am OK with spending the money to get what I want, which is essentially a long, well balanced Bowie that is strong, thick, yet lighter (especially in the blade). I do not want a thinner profiled blade though.

I guess I do not know how to do this without ruining the blade (though I will look at the suggestions posted), or by having a custom knife built to my specs, ground up?

Really, you can't get everything in a single design. Thick is strong and heavy. Thin is less strong but light. The two don't meet.

A fuller might help though. Before you start sinking money on a custom, have you put something like a KaBar USMC though its paces? Its a strong thick blade with a fuller. Might give you a better idea of what you want.

 

[Texas_Tony]

I am convinced that the CS TM, with decent "fullers" would be a good fix for keeping the thickness, strength, and lowering the weight.

Will that require heating the blade before and after, and refinishing it?

 

[GermanyChris]

IIRC shinyedges is a machinist and can probably answer that question

 

[danbot]

I am convinced that the CS TM, with decent "fullers" would be a good fix for keeping the thickness, strength, and lowering the weight.

Will that require heating the blade before and after, and refinishing it?

Do you mean if you went the CNC route? If so, then no.
It can be milled in it's hardened and tempered condition without generating excessive heat to the cutting edge.

 

[shinyedges]

Yes, fullers can be milled into an already made blade without ruining heat treat. Good coolant and coolant psi can keep it cool enough to touch directly after machining.

 

[Alberta Ed]

There are a lot of custom makers here on BladeForums who could provide what you want at reasonable cost, and many manufacturers who offer a wide variety of models that fit your specs.

 

[NJBillK]

I am OK with spending the money to get what I want, which is essentially a long, well balanced Bowie that is strong, thick, yet lighter (especially in the blade). I do not want a thinner profiled blade though.

I guess I do not know how to do this without ruining the blade (though I will look at the suggestions posted), or by having a custom knife built to my specs, ground up?

I would just go custom...

 

[gazz98]

I guess the other relevant question would be how much weight can you realistically expect to drop by adding a fuller to that blade?

Now doing this would drop some weight...

 

[NJBillK]

I guess the other relevant question would be how much weight can you realistically expect to drop by adding a fuller to that blade?

Now doing this would drop some weight...

I would think that a flat ground blade would save near as much weight, while looking nicer and cleaner.