Project 650

Joined
Mar 10, 2020
Messages
269
Project 650 started a while ago but was put aside due to other projects. So for those that came late, a recap.
Got this 1994 'pat pend' 650 with a damaged handle. (Incidentally, my research indicates this one has a blade steel of 425M, not 420HC.
If his is incorrect please let my know, thankyou.)
IPl3dBBh.jpg

Handle damage.
CHnOabih.jpg

Rubber removed.
P9Hs2Jbh.jpg

Blade and tang.
GD6R578h.jpg

Tang modification.
McDxDuth.jpg

All the bits for the rebuild, brass guard (from old Randall 14 I rehandled ages ago)
Red, white and blue spacers, black linen micarta, Brass Corby rivet and lanyard tube. Apologies for blurred pic.
Dj736TYh.jpg

Dry fit up, no glue, just to check everything is where it should be. Looks good!
p16HMQnh.jpg

Glued up with two part epoxy. Now comes the fun part, shaping the rear of the guard first.
Why? Well, as a Jedi's strength flows from the Force, so too should the handle flow from the guard. :rolleyes:
PYVHoklh.jpg

Rounding the handle, I cheated a little and used my little Ryobi Router for this, saves a lot of time and gets it symmetrical.
sRJ6VEKh.jpg

Sanding down with 80 to 120 grit using shoe shine technique. No belt sander unfortunately.
I was going to ask the big guy at the North Pole, but a mate told my he doesn't exist! Told me if he did, then why were all his toys made in China?! :rolleyes:
D3uatLQh.jpg

Wet sanding with 240 to 1500 wet and dry, front of the guard is also rounded.
cGLgai9h.jpg

A bit of a polish up, a few minutes on the Diamonds to bring up the edge and she's ready to rock and roll.
HixCOmth.jpg

Teamed up with a Spec-Ops Brand Combat master sheath (Short version) from the spares box.
wJmYFRGh.jpg

Spoiler alert for the next one, Project 470, stay tuned.....;)
h9NbcISh.jpg
 
That looks amazing, great work. I think it looks even better than the original. I’d have bought one if they were like that! :cool::thumbsup:
No kidding! I would have also.

This thread had me looking on the auction site for inexpensive old 650's or 470's that I could modify. I think there's a similar thread in the Traditionals forum (maybe using BPS blanks?), that first got me thinking about this a few months ago. I don't have any experience with this kind of project though.
 
Thanks fellas, I really enjoy doing little projects like this and sharing with others how I do it, and what is possible.
Finding older knives is half the fun, scouring yard sales, pawnshops or even the 'bay are full of opportunities.
If anyone is inspired to do the same, well that's a bonus!
In the end I get a truly custom knife I can use and enjoy.
As the old saying goes, 'Happiness is not something readymade, but what we make with our own hands'.
 
Back
Top