Removing the thumb ramp?

R

Richie841

Joined
Nov 29, 2010
Messages
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How hard is it to file off the thumb ramp on a becker knife? I'm looking intently at the Ritter RSK MK2 collaboration and it seems to match my needs except for that thumb ramp.
 
If you have a bench grinder, not hard at all. Filing will take time but its not impossible to do.
 
I de-ramped my 9 with a file. It really didn't seem that bad. I would recommend throwing it in a vice though. I think it would be hard without one.
 
Ive done both with files and with power tools.

With a good file should take about 30-45 minutes, just clamp it in a vise and start at it.

BK9 is much better without the thumb ramp in my opinion.
 
Just seems a little hard to believe that something built like a tank like the BK9 can have its shape so drastically changed with just a hand file.
 
I used a grinder and a file to finish it off. It only took a few minutes to do. I couldn't imagine doing it with a file. I have some patience but not that much! :D

DC89C453-1F78-4685-B526-AC027A3BEBB3-5668-0000038CD48F7C67.jpg
 
Hi, Guys not to ask a dumb ? But what kinda of files should you use? Do they make ones special for steel or are wood files okay. I'm just getting into knife customizing and wouldn't mind spending some money on a good set of files thx for any help you can give.
 
Yeah go pick up a Nicholson 12" double cut file. Not the best but better then most these day.
 
I used a sanding disc on my cordless drill. Still took some time.
Bench grinder is definitely the way to go. Then finish it with sandpaper.
 
Why do so many people dislike the thumb ramp? I really like it on my 7 and 9 and it is kind of cool how my thumb naturally falls into place on the ramp when I grip the knife. To me it is really a big bonus ! I am really curious here, is there a specific reason to get rid of the ramp or is it just another
" this is my blade and I am gonna customize it my way" thing?
 
Different strokes for different folks and all that I imagine. Hand sizes vary greatly, and while it may fit you perfectly, there is a decent chance it won't fit the next guy near as well. It can complicate the creation of a custom sheath in either leather or kydex (or nylon now that I think about it) and can impede the use of a firesteel depending on where you like to use the spine of your knife on a firesteel (was reaching there, that may be completely and utterly wrong). I imagine there are some for whom removing it is simply a means of making it theirs for the sake of having done it and nothing else, some who do it to follow the trend, and even those that just plain don't like the looks of it, but no matter the reason, we are pretty lucky to have a knife that we can do that to that will still serve us well and not become useless as a result.
 
ignatius said:
Why do so many people dislike the thumb ramp? I really like it on my 7 and 9 and it is kind of cool how my thumb naturally falls into place on the ramp when I grip the knife. To me it is really a big bonus ! I am really curious here, is there a specific reason to get rid of the ramp or is it just another
" this is my blade and I am gonna customize it my way" thing?
Click to expand...
I was thinking cause removing the thumb ramp is a LOT easier than filling in the choil on the 5er.
 
The 10 looks great de-ramped.

You'd have a hard time hurting the temper of the knife simply by grinding the ramp on a grinder. That heat would have to make it all the way to the edge for it to matter, and it would have to reach over 400F *at the edge*. At the spine you'd probably still be within spring temper range, which is just about perfect anyway. Dunk it in water when it starts to approach too hot to hold and you'll be so far inside the safety zone you can forget any worry (Unless you have bionic hands that can handle touching things over 200F for more than a split second).

However, unlike DJG's picture, I HIGHLY recommend you tape up the edge for your own safety!

-Daizee
 
I like the shark fin on my 7, coating is about to go though. Just a thought but could you not just saw it off and smooth out?
 
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