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Thanks for the suggestions, here's my humble attempt
- Thread starter Folderguy
- Start date
Thank you!
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,537
Ordinarily, I'm not that much into the forced patina thing. But, I'd have to say, that looks pretty darn good. It's a nice fit for that combat blade.
Nicely done. :thumbup:
Nicely done. :thumbup:
I used a mixture of 8 parts hydrogen peroxide, 1 part apple cider vinegar and half a teaspoon of salt. Used a small paint brush to apply liquid car wax in stripes and then sprayed the mixture on the blade and let it sit for a few minutes and rinsed it off. Reapplied stripes of was and then sprayed it again, and repeated that a few more times until it looked alright. Washed it all off with dishwashing soap until it was clean and then applies a slurry of baking soda to thoroughly neutralize the spray mixture. Rinsed it off and used scotch brite to polish it a bit, rinsed, dried and applied one lube by slick 50 and after RenWax. Voila!
Thanks!
Whoa!! Thank you!
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2011
- Messages
- 132
I love the fact that it was delivered in the morning, and by 3PM it was modified, photographed and posted. I find that inspirational. Well done!
Oh, it looks good to me as well. :thumbup:
Dave
Oh, it looks good to me as well. :thumbup:
Dave
Thanks Dave. Some of my friends who see these knives in person just take it for granted that I'll do something to just about every one I acquire. Not all of them, of course, but there are a goodly number that I modify in some way. These KaBars just beg to be customized, IMHO.
One of the problems is that it's hard to leave good-enough alone. Because with imaginative juices flowing, and little downside to modifying a reasonably priced knife, there's always an idea who's time has come, that needs to be put into action.
That said, the knife you see in the above pictures is again undergoing a transformation. When I'm happy with the results, I'll post some more pics.
Thanks for the compliments!
Thanks for the compliments!
As I mentioned above, I just couldn't leave well enough alone, and I've had a field day with the knife, and fear I've gone too far, but what the heck, it's all fun, and the knife is sharp... like really, really sharp... I've futzed around with other versions of forced patinas on an off today, and hit the leather handles with a 36 grit belt sander to add some extra margin of grippiness.
In any case, here are a few more pics. Not so sure I'm finished with this one yet, but for now it is what it is. Also, these photos are a bit darker than the knife appears in normal lighting.
As I mentioned above, I just couldn't leave well enough alone, and I've had a field day with the knife, and fear I've gone too far, but what the heck, it's all fun, and the knife is sharp... like really, really sharp... I've futzed around with other versions of forced patinas on an off today, and hit the leather handles with a 36 grit belt sander to add some extra margin of grippiness.
In any case, here are a few more pics. Not so sure I'm finished with this one yet, but for now it is what it is. Also, these photos are a bit darker than the knife appears in normal lighting.
It's interesting to note the impressions of those who've seen this knife in person. One said, "That's worth a lot of money..." another said, "This is an old knife; it's not like the modern ones, which have black blades. This knife is probably from the Vietnam war era." Yet another asked if this was actual USMC issue...
One of them couldn't understand why I'd mod the knife. No matter what I told him, he'd prefer it with the black blade as it comes from the manufacturer, and this was after I told him the knife wasn't from the Vietnam era, but was acquired a few days hence, brand new. Oh well....
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One of them couldn't understand why I'd mod the knife. No matter what I told him, he'd prefer it with the black blade as it comes from the manufacturer, and this was after I told him the knife wasn't from the Vietnam era, but was acquired a few days hence, brand new. Oh well....
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- Joined
- Mar 12, 2011
- Messages
- 132
I've found that value is a perception. And usually not backed-up with knowledge or experience. Just ask the owner of the local pawn shop! 
As for knife modifications, well, I'm all about them! Just like I am about car, truck, and motorcycle modifications or personalizations. With my knives (usually folders), I take them out of the box and carefully inspect them looking for flaws. I send back the crap that I can't repair - like poorly ground blades. Then I look for ways to improve or enhance the knife. An edge or corner on the handle that could be rounded, areas that could be polished or sanded, jimping that needs more grip, the pocket clip, etc. Then I take the knife completely apart and clean everything. I've found that mass produced folding knives are assembled with debris and crappy lube in the pivot, no matter where they are made. A good lube, careful reassembly, and a sharpening has it ready to be carried.
And by carried I'm suggesting that it is in my hand more than my pocket. Working the knife and getting a feel for it. It doesn't take long to find things to improve, both visually and physically. And then the fun begins! Making it MY knife. Warranty be dammed, it is MY knife now. And while no 'project' is ever truly complete, those who've seen and handled one of my knives have usually made comments about fit and finish, how it feels in the hand, visual aesthetics, smoothness of operation, that kind of thing.
I usually buy mass production knives ranging from $50 to $150. And I usually invest 10 or 20 hours into personalizing the ones I really like, maybe more, I don't track my time with hobbies. I've often wondered if buying a custom in the $400 - $500 range would be 'worth it' to me. Would the knife need to be gone over? Would it need modifications and personalizations? Would I fear modifying it simply because of the initial cost? Would I enjoy owning the knife as much? Would it become MY knife or remain a "Designer CutsWell 200" knife that I just happen to have in my possession?
Heh. That was a bit more than the quick reply I intended to write. My point is: Don't be deterred just because some people don't understand your knife modifications. They probably also lease a beige Toyota Camry and think it is just perfect. I prefer to own my customized cars.
And, for what it's worth, I like what you have done with YOUR knife. :thumbup:
Dave
As for knife modifications, well, I'm all about them! Just like I am about car, truck, and motorcycle modifications or personalizations. With my knives (usually folders), I take them out of the box and carefully inspect them looking for flaws. I send back the crap that I can't repair - like poorly ground blades. Then I look for ways to improve or enhance the knife. An edge or corner on the handle that could be rounded, areas that could be polished or sanded, jimping that needs more grip, the pocket clip, etc. Then I take the knife completely apart and clean everything. I've found that mass produced folding knives are assembled with debris and crappy lube in the pivot, no matter where they are made. A good lube, careful reassembly, and a sharpening has it ready to be carried.
And by carried I'm suggesting that it is in my hand more than my pocket. Working the knife and getting a feel for it. It doesn't take long to find things to improve, both visually and physically. And then the fun begins! Making it MY knife. Warranty be dammed, it is MY knife now. And while no 'project' is ever truly complete, those who've seen and handled one of my knives have usually made comments about fit and finish, how it feels in the hand, visual aesthetics, smoothness of operation, that kind of thing.
I usually buy mass production knives ranging from $50 to $150. And I usually invest 10 or 20 hours into personalizing the ones I really like, maybe more, I don't track my time with hobbies. I've often wondered if buying a custom in the $400 - $500 range would be 'worth it' to me. Would the knife need to be gone over? Would it need modifications and personalizations? Would I fear modifying it simply because of the initial cost? Would I enjoy owning the knife as much? Would it become MY knife or remain a "Designer CutsWell 200" knife that I just happen to have in my possession?
Heh. That was a bit more than the quick reply I intended to write. My point is: Don't be deterred just because some people don't understand your knife modifications. They probably also lease a beige Toyota Camry and think it is just perfect. I prefer to own my customized cars.
And, for what it's worth, I like what you have done with YOUR knife. :thumbup:
Dave
I've found that value is a perception. And usually not backed-up with knowledge or experience. Just ask the owner of the local pawn shop!
As for knife modifications, well, I'm all about them! Just like I am about car, truck, and motorcycle modifications or personalizations. With my knives (usually folders), I take them out of the box and carefully inspect them looking for flaws. I send back the crap that I can't repair - like poorly ground blades. Then I look for ways to improve or enhance the knife. An edge or corner on the handle that could be rounded, areas that could be polished or sanded, jimping that needs more grip, the pocket clip, etc. Then I take the knife completely apart and clean everything. I've found that mass produced folding knives are assembled with debris and crappy lube in the pivot, no matter where they are made. A good lube, careful reassembly, and a sharpening has it ready to be carried.
And by carried I'm suggesting that it is in my hand more than my pocket. Working the knife and getting a feel for it. It doesn't take long to find things to improve, both visually and physically. And then the fun begins! Making it MY knife. Warranty be dammed, it is MY knife now. And while no 'project' is ever truly complete, those who've seen and handled one of my knives have usually made comments about fit and finish, how it feels in the hand, visual aesthetics, smoothness of operation, that kind of thing.
I usually buy mass production knives ranging from $50 to $150. And I usually invest 10 or 20 hours into personalizing the ones I really like, maybe more, I don't track my time with hobbies. I've often wondered if buying a custom in the $400 - $500 range would be 'worth it' to me. Would the knife need to be gone over? Would it need modifications and personalizations? Would I fear modifying it simply because of the initial cost? Would I enjoy owning the knife as much? Would it become MY knife or remain a "Designer CutsWell 200" knife that I just happen to have in my possession?
Heh. That was a bit more than the quick reply I intended to write. My point is: Don't be deterred just because some people don't understand your knife modifications. They probably also lease a beige Toyota Camry and think it is just perfect. I prefer to own my customized cars.
And, for what it's worth, I like what you have done with YOUR knife. :thumbup:
Dave
Thanks Dave for your most interesting perspective. Actually, I'd categorize it in the area dealing with philosophy, for it shows both the positive and negative aspects that might be weighed before embarking on a customization project. As you know, having something that has been customized, and bears your own particular likes and tastes, is a very satisfying experience.
I thought I'd post a few pictures of another knife that I extensively modded. It's a sweet little knife now. It underwent major modification, including a reduction of the spacers to make the knife thinner, seriously so, as the original liner lock went all the way over to the opposite side and got jammed between the blade and liner. I put a lot into transforming the knife.
Here are some pics:
Out of the box:
After it's trip to hell and back:
And by the way, I really wanted to make the knife look like it had been to hell and back. I'll not detail all the stuff I did to the knife, suffice it to say that it flicks open with ease, closes one-handed nicely, and is not very large at all, just 6 3/4" open. And the 440C blade is plenty good too.
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- Joined
- Mar 12, 2011
- Messages
- 132
That is certainly your knife, no doubt about it! I'm sure that some may not like it because it isn't pretty and all, but I appreciate a working knife and all the effort you've obviously invested into it. I'd guess you've had it and carried it for a while. I have a couple Boker Plus' (Trance and Elegance) and envision purchasing more in the coming months (Anti-MC or Anti-Grav). Been quite pleased with the price/quality point that they achieve. Much better than the CRKT knives I have recently bought.
Out of curiosity, of all the modifications you've made to that Boker, what would you undo if you could?
Best,
Dave
Out of curiosity, of all the modifications you've made to that Boker, what would you undo if you could?
Best,
Dave