SK-5 Laredo re-handled

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Picksmith

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Sep 4, 2009
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Here's a couple of photos I took of an SK-5 Laredo I rehandled in black linen micarta.
Choppingvids034-1.jpg

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It tested well. The added length gives it additional power, and the micarta is a definite improvement over the laminate faux handle. Both cosmetically and functionally.

I've seen a photo of one Elvis did with a subhilt, and 1 from Sunrise customs, but couldn't find many photos of modified Laredo bowies on the web. I would be very interested in any links you have to re-handled Laredo photos, or better still shots of your own work.
 
Dude I love it. I put a wicked patina on mine.
Would love to see any trailmaster/laredo/scout mod's. Really would like to see the what the naked tangs look like too. My trailmaster has got another year or 2 then will need a handle.
 
Thanks. I'm gonna put a dark patina on this one as well. I've seen a few and really think it's a good look, not to mention a good idea on this carbon blade. What did you use? I was gonna do it with vinegar.

I smashed the handle off one of my most highly anticipated knife purchases this year. As such, I took a picture or two. I know there is some strong opinions as to the construction of this tang... I was skeptical, but after seeing it I went through extra efforts to reassemble this knife the same way.
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After my good experiences with this one, I'll be doing my sk-5 TM as well. It is just a rectangular tang like the scout, though some years models have more holes drilled through the tang than others.
 
Your new handle mod looks great! :thumbup:

-Looking at the photo of the exposed tang, and I'm wondering -is that some kind of braided wire? and how is it attached to the tang of the blade, is it just welded?
 
Looks like they drilled a hole in the tang, ran the cable up into that and pinched the steel onto it, THEN welded or soldered it into place. Seems like a stronger variation of a standard stick tang.
IMG_2808.jpg
 
Picksmith said:
Looks like they drilled a hole in the tang, ran the cable up into that and pinched the steel onto it, THEN welded or soldered it into place. Seems like a stronger variation of a standard stick tang.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pic, I've never seen that before.:thumbup:
 
Punisher: Sorry, it's not for sale.

gak: No sweat. Since I smashed the handle off of it, and there doesn't seem to be any good pictures of it on the net, I had to take a few.
 
Thanks. I actually expected it to be a light chopper, but it's been keeping up with my trail master. Next outing I'm gonna test them head to head for fun. A good looking self defense EDC was my main intention for that blade, but other than the full sharpened clip point it would be a great trail knife as well.
 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that tang. It's a variation of a design that has worked great for hundreds of years on large blades. The balance of the knife is exceptional because of it. I cannot imagine anything short of intentionally targeting the handle with ludicrous misuse would cause it to fail because of a 5/16" tang.
 
Is anyone here familiar with the Leuku?

I think what the OP is trying to say is, the problem is when there is a weld or connection like this directly from blade into transition of tang. ie a no tang knife. The issue with this blade is not so much the tang, but the POS faux handle.

I have seen and used this very knife in person and can tell you, if you hadn't seen the picture, you would have no clue. The way this knife is setup is actually at a higher cost production wise, and the payoff is the balance and speed of the blade in action.

Friggin' awesome job on the handle mod Picksmith,
 
I have one of the original Carbon V models I'm thinking of rehandling. Though I;ll probably rehandle the Trailmaster first. I just don;t care much for the Kraton.
 
GrinderMcgee said:
I think what the OP is trying to say is, the problem is when there is a weld or connection like this directly from blade into transition of tang. ie a no tang knife. The issue with this blade is not so much the tang, but the POS faux handle.
Click to expand...
Actually, I didn't mention the factory handle of the knife... but in a destruction test that is what would have failed long before the tang was an issue. I prefer synthetic handles to wooden ones, especially Chinese mystery wood.

wildmike: If you do decide to rehandle your laredo, be careful NOT to reattach the nut hastily. Because if you have to remove it to work on the handle some more, doing so will untwist the cable and probably end up in broken or tangled steel threads. No good. I have a Trail Master I need to do as well. The kraton is fine, but the shape of the handle doesn't allow me to get the maximum out of the knife. Especially when I start to get a little tired.
 
I actually put a stag on my Laredo, that cable tang IMO made it a lot easier to slide into a stag handle with some epoxy. uploadfromtaptalk1345478653000.jpg
 
I would think with a setup like that you'd get some tension going on that thing which is probably going to be pretty strong.
 
I've chopped a limb off a mesquite tree with no signs of trouble with the tang at all, it was a pretty solid limb and I hacked the crap out of it, the blade held up really well Also
 
Nice job ! I rehandled a Kabar Large Bowie. I was debating doing my TM, after seeing this I think I will do it. If you do surgery on your TM please post a pick of that tang as well
 
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