Potential Knife No-No?

Hairlesstwinkie · Mar 5, 2013

I have a HK Scorch Reverse Tanto, and I'm thinking about taking my Dremel to it and make it into a Spear point. The more I look at the spear point, the more I like it. This would be my last resort if no one will trade a spear point for it.

My biggest question is that by taking a Dremel to it, would it affect the treatment of the blade? I do realize that cutting metal produces a lot of heat. It sounds like a big no-no if it messes with the treatment... If that doesn't affect it, and I carry through with this. Any way to reapply the coating?

richard j · Mar 5, 2013

as long as you keep the blade cool you can reshape the spine into a spear point. if you clamp the blade down, use a sponge to wet the blade to keep it cool. as for the coating, that depends on the type of coating but it probably can be redone too.

Sharpnessis · Mar 5, 2013

I've been doing this for the past couple days. I'll grind for a couple seconds then dip the blade in water. Better to "over cool" than over heat.

Hairlesstwinkie · Mar 5, 2013

good to know that I'm not crazy. Thanks fellas

ryxlyx · Mar 6, 2013

This is a BM 523 tanto I sanded into a droppoint:

This, a BM Warn 583-1 tanto I sanded into a spearpoint:

Just take your time, one errant stroke w' paper can do a lot of damage.

Hairlesstwinkie · Mar 6, 2013

So sandpaper/file instead of dremmel?

ryxlyx · Mar 7, 2013

I'm not familiar w/ the knife you want to work on, but I've never used a dremel for blade work. I'll use a 6" bench grinder for rough spine contouring, but everything else hand sanded. Dremeling what will eventually be a flat or curved surface just not very accurate.

CWL · Mar 7, 2013

Personally, I wouldn't use a Dremel.

There is a graveyard somewhere full of buggered-up knives, guns and other formerly expensive items that have met a Dremel grinding tip and lost.

I suggest using a file to reshape and emory paper for the finish work/polish.

Of course, if you've been using Dremels for years-decades, YMMV.

richard j · Mar 11, 2013

i have had good luck with a dremel for cutting blades down but it helps to be good at it. i have a flex shaft for mine and that makes a big difference. i would not suggest ever using a dremel to sharpen with but for modding or any spine work it works ok.