Opinions wanted: Modifying a Buck 119

[karnaknives]

I want to modify/reprofile my Buck 119, but I cant decide between 2 possible final shapes.
Either way I lose roughly 1/4 inch of OAL, but really it comes down to aesthetics, and wanting to lose the "upsweep" and whether or not to remove all of the "false edge" or not.

Also, I will be doing this by hand. I don't have a belt grinder, so I will use a combination of stones/files to remove the excess material.

Have any of you here done this? I've seen a few pictures online of others doing something similar to repair broken tips on these knives.

THANKS for any input.

 

[Slice-and-dice]

Ive seen similar on broken tips, but personally don't like taking the top edge back too far, like the second image where is almost starts at the fuller/groove. The first image makes it look like a drop point and is more appealing to me, FWIW.

 

[Grasshopperglock]

So you want to make a drop point? It's not a extremely expensive or rare knife so I vote, do it.

 

[ferider]

Might want to look for a better picture of the 3V 119, where Buck did something very similar.

The 3V blade is a little shorter than the standard 119 blade.

 

[1911bphil]

I would do the first one. Carry it and use it. If you still don't like it, do the second. I like the looks of the first also. Keep us informed.

 

[karnaknives]

So you want to make a drop point?

Ya I guess I could have just said that

 

[karnaknives]

I would do the first one. Carry it and use it. If you still don't like it, do the second. I like the looks of the first also. Keep us informed.

I think I’ll start with the first one.

I’ve always liked the 119 but have never loved the profile. So I want to see if I can make it into something I like better.

Might want to look for a better picture of the 3V 119, where Buck did something very similar.

The 3V blade is a little shorter than the standard 119 blade.

I really like the looks of that 3V.
I think I’ll try my hand at my version first though. I have a lot less invested in the 119s I have than what one of those costs.

 

[ferider]

I really like the looks of that 3V.
I think I’ll try my hand at my version first though. I have a lot less invested in the 119s I have than what one of those costs.

Just to clarify: I wasn't suggesting you buy the 3V copy. But instead, that you might be interested in replicating what Buck did - they cut the tip of a normally shaped 119 blade (it's shorter, you can tell holding them next to each other). Photo from Buck's website:

I guess it's similar to your picture #1.

 

[Creaky Bones]

Just to clarify: I wasn't suggesting you buy the 3V copy. But instead, that you might be interested in replicating what Buck did - they cut the tip of a normally shaped 119 blade (it's shorter, you can tell holding them next to each other). Photo from Buck's website:

I guess it's similar to your picture #1.

This version should be a regular option.

 

[BigMoney]

Buy a 124?

Looking forward to how it goes. I’ve modded a few factory knives and it always looks like a modded knife. I think it’s gonna look weird because the hollow grind it still sweeping up even it you take the tip off.

 

[karnaknives]

Buy a 124?

Looking forward to how it goes. I’ve modded a few factory knives and it always looks like a modded knife. I think it’s gonna look weird because the hollow grind it still sweeping up even it you take the tip off.

Good call. I have a 124.

I have a couple other 119s so I’m not afraid to risk it. I have reshaped/reprofiled other knives (kitchen knives, and small folders mainly) in the past with really pleasing results and I really want to see if I can do this and do it well.
I suspect that YOU all will be able to look at it and see immediately it’s been modified, but i want to see if I can do it well enough to fool a less knowledgeable person.
And in the end if not it’ll be a user and no real harm done.

 

[eveled]

OK. Then if your handy with a belt grinder you can modify a 119 into something that suits you better.

Like these:

 

[eveled]

I’d start with a 120, so the end result is a119 size.

 

[karnaknives]

eveled

Those are sweet! Maybe a little more modified than i want to do. I think I'll be leaving the guard and the pommel alone.

AND I don't have a belt grinder, so I'll be doing it the old fashioned way.

 

[karnaknives]

I’d start with a 120, so the end result is a119 size.

I might do that if I had a 120.

 

[fishface5]

If by hand get some coarse diamond files cheap off the big river site, unless you enjoy frustration

 

[karnaknives]

If by hand get some coarse diamond files cheap off the big river site, unless you enjoy frustration

I've got files, diamond plates, and a lot of really coarse to really fine stones that I've used for re-profiling in the past, but that was mostly kitchen knives, and small folders.
I've never attacked anything as thick at the spine as this Buck, so I may have to do what you suggest.

 

[elasmonut]

Buck is an old generic brand with classic designs, but they generally use and promote the cheapest materials available.
I think you would better off financially and more staisfied, if you got a custom piece or modded a kit knife, or just bought a design you like, there are thousands of sellers and makers out there, you wont have too look to hard or spend much more than you would on a Buck! or Cold Steel
Buck, Cold Steel,like Benchmade, and other U.S. companies seem to think they can charge high end custom prices for pakkawood, plastic and basic steel, and know full well most knifenuts will get aftermarket chinese, scales, standoffs, screws, clips and blade steel to turn a high end production knife into a cheap chinese knock off, and get better performance, better aesthetics, and better use out of it!!

 

[eveled]

E elasmonut you forgot to mention Buck has the best heat treatment protocols in the industry and are backed by the best warranty and customer service in any industry.

Of course the warranty goes away once modifications are made.

 

[karnaknives]

Buck is an old generic brand with classic designs, but they generally use and promote the cheapest materials available.
I think you would better off financially and more staisfied, if you got a custom piece or modded a kit knife, or just bought a design you like, there are thousands of sellers and makers out there, you wont have too look to hard or spend much more than you would on a Buck! or Cold Steel
Buck, Cold Steel,like Benchmade, and other U.S. companies seem to think they can charge high end custom prices for pakkawood, plastic and basic steel, and know full well most knifenuts will get aftermarket chinese, scales, standoffs, screws, clips and blade steel to turn a high end production knife into a cheap chinese knock off, and get better performance, better aesthetics, and better use out of it!!

Of course I could just buy a different knife. But that’s not the point.