Questions about mods on a Buck TNT

[SparkyMark86]

Hello,

First off, I know that you posted a "no large projects thread" for the time being, but I just had some qustions about a lightly used knife I got today.

I got a used Buck/Mayo TNT that is in need of some mods.

1) Can you beadblast or stonewash a blade? I ask because there are some scratches and small amounts of rust on the blade and I was curious about removing them somehow.

2) I saw the thread on the Buck Waimea that you rebevled the edges. Could you round out some sharp edges all over the handles and especially on the framelock? (Maybe a 45 degree bevel around the handles.) It is painful the close sometimes.

3) Could you add phosphor bronze washers or any washers to aid in opening the knife? It has small plastic washers that are smooth enough, but I want this to be as close to glass as possible.

4) If you could do these mods would you recommend sharpening the blade before sending it to you, or after? I was going to see if Tom Krien could put a hollow grind on the blade and get rid of the small rust spots.


I understand that you have a LOT on your plate but was just curious as to what services were available. Sorry about all the questions but after I clean this up I was planning on giving it as a gift to my twin brother for a graduation gift and would like to know if these mods are possible. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

MARK

 

[STR]

Hi Mark. Yes. Its all quite possible but as I figure you know turn around is my issue currently. Whenver I get six months out or close I stop taking on new jobs until I can knock some of the stuff here out and then I open back up to be receptive to more.

The blasting will certainly dull the blade so it would be recommended to wait on that part. Reading over your list I am curious how my beveling the edges will ease it to be more comfortable to close. Is the lock sticky or is it just sharp edges or what?

Also, I have a fair assortment of PB washers but whether or not I can use them is dependent on the pivot diameter which I believe is 3/16 but can't say for sure until I see another and it also has to do with the thickness needed as well as the outside diameter which if too large can interfere with the lock. I'd just have to measure out all the specs for what is in it and see what I have in PB to match up to that.

If I don't have the correct size there is no guarantee I'll be able to find such a thing unless I want to buy a sheet of the PB material in the correct thickness and have Dave at Great Lakes Waterjet cut out some which as you can probably figure is cost that is going to have to be passed on to the customer since its basically their sheet of PB left over when I do that should that be what they want or elect to do after discussing it. May bite some $ there both for the sheet of material, shipping to get it, shipping to Dave, shipping back and the labor to cut out what is needed. Not sure of the cost but surely more than most washers run by far if what is in there end up being a proprietary size of some kind that Buck makes themselves or has special made for their folder line or that folder.

Oh, and there is also no guarantee that the new PB washers will be like glass or silk smooth right away. In fact, most likely they will have to be broken in over time until it gets to that point. Most do need a break in and how long probably depends on usage and some other factors. They are probably a form of nylatron or teflon in there now and about similar to others I've seen which were quite nice for action. I really don't know though. Those do sometimes get grit on them and it may be that they are just dirty. I won't know until I see the insides.

I have a standard work order form I'd need filled out. Find that in the "Read this if you need to mail me work" thread top the page here on page one. Its a sticky always up there on top somewheres depending on age or last post. Anyway, I think that about covers it. You are not asking for a bunch. I may be able to get to it this Sunday on my day off if you want to mail it before then. I usually do something on the weekends in the shop anyway but try to give myself a day for me so I can do something I want to do now and then instead of something I have to do if that makes sense.

Thanks for asking.

STR