noobie with BK2 mod questions

H

hedgeapple

Joined
Dec 4, 2014
Messages
11
Hi everybody. This is my first posting on this forum. I have been lurking around for a while. The amount of information and talent on this site is pretty amazing. As I said I have a few mod questions. I stripped my BK2 and polished the grind marks out of the spine. Is it worth the effort to add jimping? I guess maybe just a personal taste thing. Also I had thought about a patina and then sanding, but I'm afraid I'll lose the logo. Any suggestions. I already put PCB enchant on the laser etching but may not have gone deep enough. Is there any way to deepen the logo at this point? I really appreciate any help or advice.
 
Only if you feel you need it ... or like the looks.

I've added jimping to my 5 because, when I choke up on it, I don't feel I have enough control.

They're not hard to do but require attention-to-detail to keep them straight, especially if you go with several smaller ones.
 
Hey TravisH. I have to say, I'm leaning more towards doing it for the control too. Did you use a file or a Dremel?
 
Hey hedgeapple!
Welcome to the forum!

My first real mod was jimping my 11.
I used a dremel cutting disk...and...well...lol
I ended up going back over it with a small diameter chainsaw file with much better results.

If I were to do it all again I'd:
-measure out perfectly where you want each notch and mark it.
-take a dremmel disk to the markings so that your file can get a bite.
-use a small diameter file to do the jimping. A new file really chews through fast so beware.

Should turn out pretty darn near perfect!
Then there's only one more thing...a must!....POST PICS!!!
We gotta have pics my man. :D
 
Thanks. Glad to be here. Awesome site. My bk2 was my first Becker but now I realize it's not my last. It could probably get to be a habit. I'm thinking BK9 or 10 next.
 
Hi Jonny1280, I tried to use a scratch awl to mark it. Lol. THAT did alot of good. I've decided jimping it is. Pics on the way. If I can get them uploaded. I'm a computer idiot.
 
Here's how I did it ...

~ Marked the position of the each jimp on a piece of masking tape and then lay it over the spine where you want them to be. For me, the diamond files were about 1mm thick so I selected 3mm spacing, center to center. Also planned to go about 1mm deep. The large BK's are about 5/32" semi-circles, about 1/16" deep, on 1/4" spacing.

~ Used a mini-dremel with a diamond cut-off wheel to cut through the masking tape and mark the spine.

~ Used a triangle diamond file to score the marks deeper so the follow-on file would not jump out.

~ Used a flat diamond file, on-edge, to finish the rest. For a large BK, I'd go with larger jimps and use a 5/32" round file for sharpening chain saws.


Here's a couple before and after pics. Also cleanup the spine with a spindle sander using 150grit.

20150115_151457.jpg20150130_000136.jpg
 
I think it's down to personal preference. I started doing them on mine, then decided it unessecary and time consuming, for me it was effort vs outcome. It does look good though - if done correctly.
 
This afternoon I added jimping to my de-ramped 10. Same process as before - marked off with tape, initial cut with dremel, then diamond triangle file, then diamond round file, finally chain saw round file. After every 10 strokes with the files, I re-measured to insure I was still on 1/4" centers. Took less than an hour.

Correction - the jimping on the large BK's is closer to 3/16", not 5/32", after the coating is removed.

20150201_170159.jpg20150201_170409.jpg
 
Travis that looks awesome. That's pretty much exactly what I want to do. I got my BK2 stripped and ready to jimp. I put it back together to see what it looked like. Having trouble uploading my images. Working from a tablet.
 
Well, I was back in the shop this evening and cleaning things up and ... well ... just couldn't leave well enough alone. Wasn't really satisfied with just 3 jimps so I added 2 more and then sanded the entire spine perfectly flat and left it at 220grit.

I gotta admit it - damn good looking job!

Believe it or not, this is only the 2nd time I've added jimping to a knife. The first was my BK5 and it's still a WIP.

So if *I* can do it, you can do! Just take your time and don't rush.

BTW, can you pick out the original jimp left over from the de-ramping? ;)

20150203_213523.jpg20150203_213538.jpg
 
TravisH said:
Well, I was back in the shop this evening and cleaning things up and ... well ... just couldn't leave well enough alone. Wasn't really satisfied with just 3 jimps so I added 2 more and then sanded the entire spine perfectly flat and left it at 220grit.

I gotta admit it - damn good looking job!

Believe it or not, this is only the 2nd time I've added jimping to a knife. The first was my BK5 and it's still a WIP.

So if *I* can do it, you can do! Just take your time and don't rush.

BTW, can you pick out the original jimp left over from the de-ramping? ;)

View attachment 511823View attachment 511824
Click to expand...

Yep that's how it's done, very nice finish mate. Looks excellent.
 
Hey Hedgeapple......

Welcome, welcome....... Thanks for buying Becker......... I am happy to see you putting your "mark" on your new BK2.......

Be sure to make the jimps round bottomed and smooth..... Triangular notches or notches with sharp angles will create stress risers and may cause a micro crack under stress which can propagate and cause catastrophic failure......

Have fun with your Two and when you get a little wear on it pleas post some pics and your impressions.....

All Best.....

Ethan
 
Wow, hi Ethan. Thanks for taking the time to drop me a line. As a matter of fact I did make the jimps round bottomed. I absolutely love my BK 2. I put it back together and put a good edge back on it. As soon as I can I will upload a few photos.
 
image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
Here's what my BK2 looks like now. The photos aren't the best, unfortunately. So far I installed micarta scales stainless hardware. It's stripped, jimped and scary sharp. Can't wait to get outside and have some fun with it.
 
Thanks. Yeah I did. After I stripped the coating there were some grind marks left I would think to add a little tooth for the coating. I used a mill file and a dremel to polish a little bit. Again thanks for the help Travis. Really appreciate it.
 
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