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Need Expertise on Blank Camillus BK 9 Bowie, What kind of Edge for this Blank

Manitoba

Manitoba

Joined
Sep 28, 2010
Messages
86
I have complete Camillus BK 9 Bowie Blank. An excellent opportunity to make the knife the way I want it. I would like to put the best edge on this blank as possible. It has a unique Patina as well, don't know if the pics do it justice, but deep dark blue. purple mottled appearance.

Once the modifications and sharpening are complete, I want to use the knife as a survival knife and provide excellent chopping ability with a durable edge. Therefore I am looking for any recommendations for a knife edge? They are:

What type of Edge? I would like to put a Full Convex Edge. Would this be the best option to go with this blank? I am working with a blank so its 0.22' edge width to start out with.

Secondly, since the blank does not have a defined end, what kind of sharp end would you all recommend? Make it a drop point or clip?

I am thinking of putting a choil on the knife, maybe a 1/2" so I preserve most of the cutting edge. Would this be wise or hurt the integrity of the knife?
Any recommendations you have as experts would be greatly appreciated. I have been collecting Camilllus Bks for years and just cant get enough of them. Here are the pics, the blank I will be working with.

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Actually it is not. Has some rust on it, more importantly its the same size. weight etc. In addition, this guy collects Beckers and bought a couple from him before, a BK 10, 9 and a 7.
 
Well...The patina will be gone when the bevels are ground. You may as well have it sanded down uniformly after grinding and do a whole new patina on it. For sure the newly exposed metal would look completely different otherwise.

A question I've had with buying a blank is the heat treat. Have they been heat treated or are they just annealed and ready to grind? Nice score on that blank it looks soooooooooo beefy.
 
Plan on sending out across town. I know an older chap Randy E. that's been making, sharpening knives for 50 years in the DFW area of TX. I just don't have all of the equipment necessary to do a bang up job plus my inferior knowledge. Randy a few months ago put an excellent beveled edge on my BK 10.

Thanks for the thread, I am looking at it right now for more improve ideas and concepts.

Manitoba
 
Where is everyone getting these blanks?

Grinding a heat treated blank will likely be more of a pain in the ass than it's worth. Go slow and keep it cool.
That said here's what I'd do:
Full convex, drop point. That's it.

Choils are good but only if you plan on bringing that one knife. I don't bring my 7 if I'm going to bring along a second smaller blade. That thing will be a mighty chopper and batoner. I wouldn't play around with anything else really.
 
Yeah I'm with WIMC I have never felt the need for a choil when using my 9, but then again it wouldn't be tragic if it had one so go with what you prefer.

EDIT: oh and the drop point would look cool.
 
I bought 4 Camillus blanks a few months ago and they were hardened, and quite a pain to mess with.
KFU came to my rescue and not only annealed mine but turned it into a full flat convex with no swedge for me.
I will be posting pics when I receive it (He said it will be shipping this Friday at the latest)
Imho that is a fantastic way to do the blank. I had originally thought to keep it looking stock, minus the swedge, but I am really excited to see this full flat convexed.
Next job installing the micarta after I decide the color, and then leather for my new big boy.

MWTIC showed me what he plans to do with the blank I sent him and its also a bad ass idea so the limit is really your imagination and the size of the blank.
You could make a Brute with a full spine, or even a double bladed longknife.
Have at it, but be sure to post pics because we all looooove to see Beckers and mods... oh and other knives too but you know.
 
Silverthorn said:
I bought 4 Camillus blanks a few months ago and they were hardened, and quite a pain to mess with.
KFU came to my rescue and not only annealed mine but turned it into a full flat convex with no swedge for me.
I will be posting pics when I receive it (He said it will be shipping this Friday at the latest)
Imho that is a fantastic way to do the blank. I had originally thought to keep it looking stock, minus the swedge, but I am really excited to see this full flat convexed.
Next job installing the micarta after I decide the color, and then leather for my new big boy.

MWTIC showed me what he plans to do with the blank I sent him and its also a bad ass idea so the limit is really your imagination and the size of the blank.
You could make a Brute with a full spine, or even a double bladed longknife.
Have at it, but be sure to post pics because we all looooove to see Beckers and mods... oh and other knives too but you know.
Click to expand...

Awesome!
I got all tingley reading this post.
This is essentially one of two of my grail knives. The other is a Cinci machax.
 
When completed definitely will post the pics, thanks for the ideas. Appreciate it.

Take Care
 
Pardon the ignorance, I Know what a full convex edge is, but what is a Full Flat Convex Edge? Definition of or how it is different from a full convex edge?
 
Update on my BK-9 coming from KFU, he apparently accidentally cut through a 4x4 with it......
lol not really but he said he went through a 4x4 like it was a potato and then still shaved paper with it. Wheeeeeeee I cant wait to hold this knife !
 
Silverthorn said:
Update on my BK-9 coming from KFU, he apparently accidentally cut through a 4x4 with it......
lol not really but he said he went through a 4x4 like it was a potato and then still shaved paper with it. Wheeeeeeee I cant wait to hold this knife !
Click to expand...

Yikes!

Need... pics... sooon.... please..... many many pics..... now... thanks...
 
That's great too know. The next knife I worth with, I will contact you. Thanks for the heads up!
 
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