- Joined
- Dec 6, 2007
- Messages
- 169
Personally I don't find much of anything I feel needs changing with any Beckers; for me they're near perfection in stock form. However, I do like to personalize my knives, though usually, with simple things like different scales or fashioning paracord lanyards and such.
The most extensive modification work I've ever attempted was to a Cold Steel G.I. Tanto about a year ago (will try to put up some pics of that soon as well.)
Well, I know this isn't a very impressive entry considering some of the amazing mods I've seen done by many here but this is how I felt "comfortable" to initiate making some changes to my beloved BK&T's. I've been thinking about doing a re-finish to my BK-9 but I'm still in the research and planning mode on that... just gotta work up the nerve to initiate a no-going-back first step!
'Right then, on to the BK-16. I truly like the stock Grivory scales- they feel really comfortable in my hand BUT I also love the look and feel of the Ka-Bar micarta scales so all my "user" BK's get 'em. Previously I'm contented with the stock micarta treated with a coat or two of choji oil but for the 16 I wanted to try my hand at dyeing them to my preferred color: Olive Drab Green (or, a closest facsimile.) I used liquid Rit dyes and chose their Olive Branch color formula as specified. I test dyed some clean white cotton t-shirts first. The t-shirts turned out well and before doing the scales I also dyed a tactical vest and a U.S. Army Assault bag (don't care for the ACU camo.) After all that fabric dyeing the liquid was somewhat weakened so I added a little more dark green dye to strengthen it some which resulted in changing the color slightly to more "Army" green than O.D.
When I started this out my 16 was brand new; since these photos were taken I've sanded down the epoxy finish to smooth it out some AND it has seen some good use!
TRYING IT ON T-SHIRTS...STOVE TOP - When I did the scales I kept the temp between 120 F-135 F
SCALES BEFORE AND AFTER THE DYE - Two 15 minute soaks with a drying period between.
WITH SCALES ATTACHED AND STOCK SHEATH.
WITH MY MORA FOR COMPARISON
A wonderful surprise: I found the BK-16 fits nicely and securely into the Grizzly Outdoors piggyback kydex sheath I have for my BK-9 and TOPs B.o.B. Fieldcraft knife!
I found a fine little kydex sheath for the 16 on ebay also- don't know if ya'd call it a "mod" but it changes things for me. Once getting a new set of pants I thought a little aesthetic embellishment would be in order so I chose just the right paracord and beads from my paracord gear and voila`! (It's not in any way practical but it looks cool AND is easily removed when I put the 16 to use.)
The most extensive modification work I've ever attempted was to a Cold Steel G.I. Tanto about a year ago (will try to put up some pics of that soon as well.)
Well, I know this isn't a very impressive entry considering some of the amazing mods I've seen done by many here but this is how I felt "comfortable" to initiate making some changes to my beloved BK&T's. I've been thinking about doing a re-finish to my BK-9 but I'm still in the research and planning mode on that... just gotta work up the nerve to initiate a no-going-back first step!
'Right then, on to the BK-16. I truly like the stock Grivory scales- they feel really comfortable in my hand BUT I also love the look and feel of the Ka-Bar micarta scales so all my "user" BK's get 'em. Previously I'm contented with the stock micarta treated with a coat or two of choji oil but for the 16 I wanted to try my hand at dyeing them to my preferred color: Olive Drab Green (or, a closest facsimile.) I used liquid Rit dyes and chose their Olive Branch color formula as specified. I test dyed some clean white cotton t-shirts first. The t-shirts turned out well and before doing the scales I also dyed a tactical vest and a U.S. Army Assault bag (don't care for the ACU camo.) After all that fabric dyeing the liquid was somewhat weakened so I added a little more dark green dye to strengthen it some which resulted in changing the color slightly to more "Army" green than O.D.
When I started this out my 16 was brand new; since these photos were taken I've sanded down the epoxy finish to smooth it out some AND it has seen some good use!
TRYING IT ON T-SHIRTS...STOVE TOP - When I did the scales I kept the temp between 120 F-135 F
SCALES BEFORE AND AFTER THE DYE - Two 15 minute soaks with a drying period between.
WITH SCALES ATTACHED AND STOCK SHEATH.
WITH MY MORA FOR COMPARISON
A wonderful surprise: I found the BK-16 fits nicely and securely into the Grizzly Outdoors piggyback kydex sheath I have for my BK-9 and TOPs B.o.B. Fieldcraft knife!
I found a fine little kydex sheath for the 16 on ebay also- don't know if ya'd call it a "mod" but it changes things for me. Once getting a new set of pants I thought a little aesthetic embellishment would be in order so I chose just the right paracord and beads from my paracord gear and voila`! (It's not in any way practical but it looks cool AND is easily removed when I put the 16 to use.)
