Shorten knife blade?

M

mdswithers

Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Messages
66
Hello, I have a ZT 0450 and my new state laws require a 3” blade or less. I was wondering if anyone had any insight to shortening a knife blade by about .25”. There’s absolutely no way I would do it myself so I’m trying to see if it is possible at all, if it would look horrible if it were done, and if anyone knew someone that could do it. I wouldn’t mind paying for it to be done completely right by someone very well trained in this type of thing. Thank you all very much in advanced.
 
I know it's a great model to own but if I were in your place I'd sell it and pick up something in your size range rather than mess around with a regrind.
There are a few members here that could do it for you and the blade would look like it came from the factory or better but the blade to handle ratio would be a little off and I don't know about you but that would bug the crap out of me every time I opened it.
It's a small knife anyway, and in my experience, if you're doing nothing to provoke a personal examination of your gear there's not a lot to worry about, especially for a quarter inch. That's not going to draw much attention.
But as I mentioned there are other options if you're not comfortable.
 
Barman1 said:
I know it's a great model to own but if I were in your place I'd sell it and pick up something in your size range rather than mess around with a regrind.
There are a few members here that could do it for you and the blade would look like it came from the factory or better but the blade to handle ratio would be a little off and I don't know about you but that would bug the crap out of me every time I opened it.
It's a small knife anyway, and in my experience, if you're doing nothing to provoke a personal examination of your gear there's not a lot to worry about, especially for a quarter inch. That's not going to draw much attention.
But as I mentioned there are other options if you're not comfortable.
Click to expand...
Yeah, part of me just wants to get a smaller knife but I just feel like the 0450 is part of me. Also I’m not too concerned about the legality but that’s what scares me too. Not worrying about the law is in my experience what gets ya lol.
 
Sonnydaze said:
you only have to pull off 1/4" so not a terribly difficult task. If you want it done with precision and skill, send it to Josh of REK at this link:
josh@razoredgeknives.com
He has worked on three of my knives now, and has literally transformed them by the magic of his excellent craftsmanship and experience.
Click to expand...
I just wish there was a way I could see what it would look like before I got it done. Thank you for the info though I’ll probably be contacting him soon.
 
Personally I've found that normally nobody knows what's in your pocket.
Don't do anything stuped and you should be fine.

However I'm sure someone could remove 1/4" for you if it really matters, and if you wanna know what it'll look like you can print out a 1:1 scale picture of your knife and draw on it.
May not be the best way but it'll give you an idea.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Personally I've found that normally nobody knows what's in your pocket.
Don't do anything stuped and you should be fine.

However I'm sure someone could remove 1/4" for you if it really matters, and if you wanna know what it'll look like you can print out a 1:1 scale picture of your knife and draw on it.
May not be the best way but it'll give you an idea.
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea, you think they would just add a choil or grind the blade down at the beginning of the blade?
 
Blades are measured from the handle to the tip. Choil is included. Remember they are thinking stabbing depth, not cutting surface.
 
eveled said:
Blades are measured from the handle to the tip. Choil is included. Remember they are thinking stabbing depth, not cutting surface.
Click to expand...
They measure from the start of the actual blade where I am from. I dont know if it’s different other places but they measure from the actual “sharp” part of the blade.
 
What state?

Most states don't specify what the length actually is (tip to handle, actual cutting edge, etc), so it's always best to assume the worst. And by that, I mean assume that the cop that might be detaining you isn't sure what the actual legal definition is himself, and save yourself the hassle of potentially having to clear it up in court later. I'd also go a bit further than the .25", say 5/16th or 3/8" less, to be clearly under the 3" limit, and not simply at 3".

Also, if you're in a state that has cities or counties with more restrictive laws (or you travel to such cities regularly), it would behoove you to mind those laws regarding which knife you carry, and it's always a good idea to have "traveling knife". For example Chicago vs suburbs, Baltimore vs the rest of Maryland, all over the place in CA, etc.

A regrind is an option, although a "mini" version of a knife, or simply a small one that's similar might be better. A reground knife will not only require simply shortening it and putting the new tip on, but also grinding down the taper towards the tip or you'll have a thicker tip than you might want (although a "spanto" tip ala Hinderer might look cool).
 
mdswithers said:
Hello, I have a ZT 0450 and my new state laws require a 3” blade or less. I was wondering if anyone had any insight to shortening a knife blade by about .25”. There’s absolutely no way I would do it myself so I’m trying to see if it is possible at all, if it would look horrible if it were done, and if anyone knew someone that could do it. I wouldn’t mind paying for it to be done completely right by someone very well trained in this type of thing. Thank you all very much in advanced.
Click to expand...

Send me an email. I have something you might be interested in!!!!!!!! joe.rhoades1979@gmail.com
 
mdswithers said:
They measure from the start of the actual blade where I am from. I dont know if it’s different other places but they measure from the actual “sharp” part of the blade.
Click to expand...

Yes but it depends what they consider the blade, if the law states they measure by cutting edge then a sharpening choil is a good way to go if done right. ( Not difficult just don't make it deep enough that stuff can snag when cutting )
 
As long as you aren’t getting into trouble or doing stupid things, I would doubt the cops would care and I wouldn’t worry about it.

I carry “illegal” knives a lot, but generally when I am wearing a suit or am in the woods. Not getting into bar fights or waving a knife around in public. “Illegal” meaning a flipper as they are prohibited in Canada.

If you are dead set on carrying the ZT, sell it vs. Ruining it IMO.
 
mdswithers said:
I just wish there was a way I could see what it would look like before I got it done. Thank you for the info though I’ll probably be contacting him soon.
Click to expand...
I can make you a quick and simple photoshop later if you want. Titanium or Carbon Fiber Version?
 
craytab said:
Flippers aren't prohibited in Canada.
Click to expand...
Prohibited to import into Canada I should have stated. A flipper is considered an automatic by the CBSA and has been for a while....

(a) Automatic knife – An automatic knife is one that houses a blade that will open automatically by applying hand pressure to a button, spring, lever, or other device, in or attached to the handle of the knife, including knives that have a button, spring, lever, or other device, located in the spine of the handle and attached to the inner part of the blade.
Note: Knives that have a ‘thumb stud’ attached to the blade of the knife, that is independent of the handle (not protruding from the handle in the closed or folded position), and that open automatically by applying pressure to the thumb stud, do not generally meet the above definition of a prohibited weapon, and as such do not generally fall under TI 9898.00.00. However, if such a knife is found to also open by gravity or by the application of centrifugal force alone, it may still be considered to be prohibited. The misuse of knives may nonetheless be punishable under other laws.
 
You could abandon the 0450 and nab up an 0900.

oeFzP7B.jpg


2.75 inch blade

In reality I really wouldn't worry about quarter inch over than it should be. Half the cops you'd run into wouldn't even know that's the law.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top