- Joined
- Jan 2, 2011
- Messages
- 5
I just wanted to write up a quick thread and tell you guys Thank You for all the great info on the forums. I have really enjoyed reading and learning. In fact reading on the forums helped me think of the idea for this project. I understand that this is an extremely basic project compared to what a lot of people on these forums can do but this is my 1st project and I really wanted to say thank you for all the info on this great forum. Plus I wanted to try a few projects to see if I really liked working on knives before I bought equipment.
I have ALWAYS LOVED Carbon Fiber Spyderco Kiwi's (Gentlemen Folder) but they have stopped production and when you can find one they are almost $300!!! That is just too steep for me but Spyderco does sell a version with stag handles. There are several versions and I came up with an idea to carve some CF Scales and make my own one off.
So I ordered some Protech CF sheets (1.3MM) and started my project. LOL WOW!!!! CF is messy to sand down.
BUT after it was all over I am REALLY HAPPY with the result.
BTW ~ The "Gentlemen Folder" is still a little rough in some of these pics. Funny how a camera can help you see some of the imperfections.
LOL ~ Funny thing: I bought the 1st stag Kiwi with the specific goal to take it apart and convert it to carbon fiber but I liked it so much that I decided to keep it. I ordered the 2nd Kiwi from the SAME SELLER, SAME AUCTION and I received a stag Kiwi that was not as nice. I know for sure that Spyderco made numerous versions of this model but I feel pretty lucky that I bought the 1st stag because I think it's really nice.
Here are the 3 Kiwi's I have now. The CF is still kind of rough in this pic so I had to sand it down more before I finished.
So the total cost of my project was $54. LOL I'm really happy that the price tag was so reasonable. Not to mention I really enjoyed the process. So I think I will be moving forward with buying some sanders. I imagine I will go the Harbor Freight route first but that will be good enough to get started.
:cheers:
...
I have ALWAYS LOVED Carbon Fiber Spyderco Kiwi's (Gentlemen Folder) but they have stopped production and when you can find one they are almost $300!!! That is just too steep for me but Spyderco does sell a version with stag handles. There are several versions and I came up with an idea to carve some CF Scales and make my own one off.
So I ordered some Protech CF sheets (1.3MM) and started my project. LOL WOW!!!! CF is messy to sand down.
BUT after it was all over I am REALLY HAPPY with the result.BTW ~ The "Gentlemen Folder" is still a little rough in some of these pics. Funny how a camera can help you see some of the imperfections.
LOL ~ Funny thing: I bought the 1st stag Kiwi with the specific goal to take it apart and convert it to carbon fiber but I liked it so much that I decided to keep it. I ordered the 2nd Kiwi from the SAME SELLER, SAME AUCTION and I received a stag Kiwi that was not as nice. I know for sure that Spyderco made numerous versions of this model but I feel pretty lucky that I bought the 1st stag because I think it's really nice.
Here are the 3 Kiwi's I have now. The CF is still kind of rough in this pic so I had to sand it down more before I finished.
So the total cost of my project was $54. LOL I'm really happy that the price tag was so reasonable. Not to mention I really enjoyed the process. So I think I will be moving forward with buying some sanders. I imagine I will go the Harbor Freight route first but that will be good enough to get started.
:cheers:
...