Removing a thumb ramp on a Becker BK9

N

NY Yankee

Joined
Nov 4, 2014
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Anyone found a purpose for this other than the obvious? Will carefull grinding and filing damage the main blade in any way? Any reason to not remove it?
 
The metal has to stay cool. It can't be discolored in any way. (Tempering colors. Like you get when you use an angle grinder on metal.)

Think of removing it as sharpening. Grit that'll cut it but won't impart heat into it. Power tool type removal will need to be water cooled.

With the work and tools involved removing it. I'd just buy another knife without the thumb ramp.

You're probably gonna make a mess of the knife.
 
I've done this on other knives. Sometimes ramps can irritate with extended usage. I agree with Grasshopper, keep a pail of water around and dunk continuously. The knives that I've done this to all look horrible, but perform well. Unless you're a good knifemaker/machinist/whatever, it will probably look bad.

For myself, I don't care about looks, but if you do, then you might want to consider another knife instead. I thought it was a fun exercise, but YMMV.
 
You know, I've never done any metal work on a knife (other than sharpening), but I've done a little when working on cars. I'd skip the grinder, and go at it with a double-cut, or even single-cut, hand file. I bet it wouldn't take very long, and there wouldn't be much (or any) chance damaging the blade with heat. Plus, you would have greater control over the final shape (less chance of screwing up). Follow up with a little sand paper to smooth it out. Touch up the bare metal with whatever you please...gun blue pen, paint, or whatever. Good luck.
 
When I did it to mine, I was super worried about ruining the heat treatment...... I got a diamond file, and filed it off.

Now that I make knives...... I'd just belt sand it. Don't be worried. It's just a Becker.
I'll post a pic of mine when I get home. I think it definitely looks better without it.
*found a link with mine.....

Gind it.
Dip it. (in water)
Grind it.
Dip it.
Repeat. It's easy.
 
You don't need to worry about the temper in the thumb ramp area. It's not going to get hot enough to damage anywhere near the working part of the blade.

As mentioned above, you can just grind it off.
 
A fresh, sharp belt will have a thumb ramp off before it gets too hot to touch I bet. An old, gummed up belt will definitely make more heat and take longer.
 
Id lop it off with a 4” angle grinder with a cut off wheel Then use a 4” carpenters belt sander to finish it.
 
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