Removing talon hole

einsteinjon

einsteinjon

Platinum Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2008
Messages
1,828
Hi all - I am debating removing the talon hole on my Park Ranger to form a choil. Any advice on the best way to do this from those who've done it before? I was thinking clamping her down and using a Dremel. Thoughts on this or other methods?
 
First, this is one of the easier mods, with possibilities of having the largest impact, be it good or bad, depending on how well it is done and the rest of the handle.

First, choke up on the handle to see if the scales are comfortable for you. I considered this mod, but I found the front of the slabs (particularly the scallops) to be too rough to hold for extended use. So I opted for another mod on my PR.

If you do decide to proceed, grab a wooden dowel or other cylindrical object as you would a knife (maybe a beater kitchen knife?) and mark both sides of your pointer finger with a pencil, with about 1/16" clearance on each side.

Remove your hand, and measure this gap. Go to your local home improvement store and buy a sanding drum that closest matches this measurement. Make sure to get coarse and fine grit drums to match.

Chuck the drum in your drill and go slowly, while checking the edge for heat with a bare hand. Dunk in water to cool as needed.
- Worthy of note, some sandpapers and drums do not work well with water and will she'd their grit near instantaneously. If using water to cool your knife, dry it after you dunk it.
------
My preferred fix for my PR was needed because I wear an XL width glove, and as I said earlier, I didn't want to hold onto the scallops up front.

I took the rear hump off of the handle, and rounded the corners of the slabs to soften the hand feel. It is one of my most comfortable knives now, and I still have a little tweaking to do.

Before:
2018-02-14 21.46.12.jpg 2018-02-14 21.46.35.jpg

Removed offending material, pencil line was factory:
2018-02-17 22.59.34.jpg 2018-02-17 22.58.31.jpg

Like I said, I still have a little more to do in regards to shaping the rear of the handle. Other mods planned are etch, strip, and polishing the tang and spine.

Edited to tag einsteinjon einsteinjon
 
Last edited:
Thank you for that! I saw your mod the other day but my problem isn't XL hands...I just find myself always wanting to choke up with a choil for detail work.

I'll post back if/when I decide to go through with it.
 
einsteinjon said:
Thank you for that! I saw your mod the other day but my problem isn't XL hands...I just find myself always wanting to choke up with a choil for detail work.

I'll post back if/when I decide to go through with it.
Click to expand...
Then you may also want to tape of the blade very well, and chamfer the front of the scales a bit. Mostly to take that 90° turn out of the front of the slabs, or at least minimize it.

Measure a spot on the scales, say 1/2-3/4" back from the front scallops, and file/sand back to that, holding your file so you are going from belly to spine, or vice versa.

If using a belt sander/grinder, use the machine to take the bulk off, but do the finish work by hand.

I will take some spine shots tonight. I brought the sanded area of mine up to 1k grit. I find the lack of roughness there aids in keeping my hands from wearing, but the grip isn't jeopardized due to the texturing on the sides of the slabs and the ergonomics of the handle shape.
 
I recall someone else mentioning the desire for a finger size choil. I put my finger there and I agree, it could've been made that way. I don't have the balls to try it, more the tweaker type not major surgery.
 
Ive used a cutoff wheel in the past to remove most of the material and the blend in the remainder with a cylindrical stone or barrel sander on the dremel. Makes for quick and easy work. Of course, the final finishing I always do by hand.
 
einsteinjon said:
Hi all - I am debating removing the talon hole on my Park Ranger to form a choil. Any advice on the best way to do this from those who've done it before? I was thinking clamping her down and using a Dremel. Thoughts on this or other methods?
Click to expand...
This is one knife I would consider doing this to, not because I find it necessary for comfort, rather I find it's greatest appeal to me is its small size, 4 inch blade, and thin blade. If I could take off an ounce more of weight I would be all for it. Please let us know what route you go, I would be very interested in seeing it with a choil.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top