My new EDC personalization or destruction?

ccblademan1975

ccblademan1975

Master of Sharp Objects
Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
108
I just received my Zero Tolerance 0551 and I liked it quite alot and decided to make it my new EDC. As i checked out the knife one thing struck me about the knife and that was that other than the handle scale, unlike most ZT knives it was mostly silvery metal tone, very little black. Well being as this was to be my EDC and not a safe queen, I proceeded to take it apart sand down the blade and prepare it for a high temp paint for the blade. So im just curious as to opinions, since I plan to EDC the knife am I crazy to have modified the blade since its a rare model? And as well what do you think of the look with the black blade? :cool:

thanks for the input,
ccblademan1975

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ccblademan1975 said:
...So im just curious as to opinions, since I plan to EDC the knife am I crazy to have modified the blade since its a rare model? And as well what do you think of the look with the black blade? :cool:

thanks for the input,
ccblademan1975
Click to expand...

In answer to the questions, 'yes' and 'not so much'. That paint will not look so hot in short order, IMO.








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I'm a big fan of modifying and personalzing a knife it will suit you better.

If the paint looks bad after a while, strip it off, no harm done. It's a reversable mod if you're careful about it.

I don't like black blades, but if you do, good on you. Maybe do the Ti lock side too?
 
Powernoodle approves. And if the paint shows some wear, it will look even better.
 
black blades are not my thing, but if you like them, go for it.

i would recommend doing some homework on what paint/finish will work best on steel. good luck.
 
I actually have got rid of blade finishes on my 302 and 200. They are both users and i like the blade shiny rather then suito Strider striped or black. I am in preparation to mod my 551 but I like the stonewashed of the Elmax and mostly looking to put a new color scale on it in CF or bright colored G10 allowing me to change back if necessary. I don't plan on selling these Ever so not worried about others opinions of my personal taste.

If you love it that's all that matters. If you planned on ever selling it, your value is now greatly diminished.
 
Cerakote/Duracoat would be more durable than normal paint if you wanna redo it after this coat gets scratched up.
 
Black blades aren't my thing.

I believe in customizing just about everything I own...

Good for doing it, and making it what you want.
 
If that's what you want, then by all means go for it. Can't say I'd recommend painting a blade you're gonna use, since it's not going to be very durable in the long run, but it's your knife. I'll second looking into Cerakote/Durakote/Gunkote when the wear starts to show badly enough.
 
Dude knives are meant to be used bro! Who cares about "rare models" use them! All these knives, especially sprint runs from ZT and Spyderco. The steels that they use for the blades will last a lifetime, even after hundreds of resharpenings. That's one of the cool things about them. You can use and use them and they won't wear out. Very few people actually use up knives. Furthermore, you will probably enjoy the knife more when you use it. It will become an old companion after using it for many years. I love using the same knife over and over for several months. Thus, i usually choose one EDC blade per month and I will use it that whole time.
 
I think it was a bad idea... ZT has been planning to release a few DLC coated 0551's, it would have been better to pick up one of those. Plus, depending on what the "high temp paint" was, you may have annealed the steel and ruined the heat treat.
 
Mod knives to you're heart's content!
 
Annealing steel generally means you heat it up to glowing, then let it cool slowly. Prior to popular belief, heating a blade up a few hundred degrees does nothing to the HT. I don't know how hot ELMAX has to get to glow, but I'm pretty sure you can't get it that hot without meaning to.

I highly doubt he got the blade anywhere near that hot.



Tsujigiri said:
I think it was a bad idea... ZT has been planning to release a few DLC coated 0551's, it would have been better to pick up one of those. Plus, depending on what the "high temp paint" was, you may have annealed the steel and ruined the heat treat.
Click to expand...
 
LOL no I didnt barely 350 degrees. And it wasnt a long period of time anyways. As to the current state of the blade I still EDC it but I redid the blade in my shaker with aggressive ceramic for 2 days and it came out a nice dark grey with flecks imprinted and both myself and another Blademaking friend of mine think it looks better than when I got it.... We we bummed we didnt have the right template to put the ZT back on it with his electric method.

Thanks for all the input!
Positive and Those that didnt like as well and i appreciate the rating of what was liked or disliked. Peace all =)

ccblademan1975
 
I think it looks great...I like the way modding a knife just a little bit can add a lot of character.
 
it's your dime, it's your knife, then you alone can say whether it's nuts or not. IMHO, if you think the knife will serve you better after you modify it, then you are on the right track. i always agree with someone who modify their knives according to their needs.
 
Do what you want with it, it's just a knife. It's not like you took a Sharpie to the Mona Lisa.
 
i think it looks great. i love the looks of knives that have been "personalized" it makes it even more yours and after you edc it for a couple of months, it will look nice and worn, which i love even more

-william
 
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