The “Can’t leave anything alone” Thread

Alright. I finally got the Petrified Fish Mini Beluga. I chose it over the full size because it runs 14C28N and has thinner blade stock than the larger version in K110.

So this thing is pretty cool but it had a couple of issues. First, the scale edges along the rear and bottom had a crisp transition. So I smoothed them up. That was quick and easy.

Second was the little slot for reversing the clip. This design puts the clip between the liner and the scale, with two screws going through. One of those screws is structurally important as it anchors the back spacer. That's fine on the side with the clip installed. However, that leaves the other side with an open slot and the screw head pressing on a very thin piece of G10 with nothing behind it. I noticed that from the factory, one of those screws felt loose. Looking more closely, I could see that a tiny crack had already begun to form. So I ground out a little spacer from a spare piece of black polypropylene I had and drilled a couple of holes in it. There is a slight gap on one side but I'm calling it "okay". Now appropriate torque can be safely applied. :)

Of course, I also installed a set of 5mm, 1/16", 11-ball ceramic Skiff bearings. The action was already good but now it is slightly better with more solid lock-up. The only remaining problem is that it is a little small for my hands. I might end up selling this one.

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Surgery was a success! It almost wasn't because the black scales appeared to be glued in place. I asked Sencut if the scales were glued and they said no. So I wondered if someone at the factory had just gone nuts with the thread-locking compound.

I freed the scales by soaking in near-boiling soapy water for a while and then pushing the hardware through with a punch. My suspicion was correct. The gummy residue on the threads was spread out to about the size of a quarter around each of the screw holes. I quickly removed it with a little copper wool and I was back in business.

I'm happy with how these turned out.

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Chronovore said:
Surgery was a success! It almost wasn't because the black scales appeared to be glued in place. I asked Sencut if the scales were glued and they said no. So I wondered if someone at the factory had just gone nuts with the thread-locking compound.

I freed the scales by soaking in near-boiling soapy water for a while and then pushing the hardware through with a punch. My suspicion was correct. The gummy residue on the threads was spread out to about the size of a quarter around each of the screw holes. I quickly removed it with a little copper wool and I was back in business.

I'm happy with how these turned out.

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Pretty cool blades. Where'd you pick yours up from?
 
c7m2p3 said:
Pretty cool blades. Where'd you pick yours up from?
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Thanks. I got them direct from their website. (They are a WE brand and WE is a supporter here.)

SENCUT

www.sencut.com www.sencut.com

I bought the first one with a discount coupon I had. The second I scored as part of their Father's Day Bundle Sale with another of their knives. In each case, it brought the knife under $50. (You can also check their Amazon store, where the price is sometimes but not always lower.) They use the same 9Cr18Mov with the same exceptional heat treatment as the Civivi knives.
 
I've had this Bestech Syntax for a little bit. The Micarta is very nice and has a wonderfully soft feel. However, the lines and edges from the factory were uncomfortably crisp and thready. So I went around and smoothed them all up with a little light sanding. That includes the edges around the show-side clip recess. (I know lefties need love but I really hate this trend. Is it really so important to leave a recess for the clip on that side? It looks so much better when it is just a couple of nondescript holes.) Now it feels great in hand.

They put a weird lip on the lock bar access that was a little sharp. I filed it down a little, but I might need to do a little more when I get around to fishing my fine files out from behind the work bench where they fell the last time I cleaned up. 😮

I also installed Skiff Bearings because "why not". The action was already good. The detent was perfect, and that's something Bestech often gets right in my experience. As is usually the case with Skiff Bearings, I feel that I was able to find a better balance of solid lock-up versus good action with them installed.

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Here are some daylight pictures of the modded Chevalier. Since last night, I spiffed up the action. The Skiff Bearings were doing their job but the lock was binding a little and retarding the drop. After some fiddling, I think the spring was just a little off. The cutout in the scale opposite the button is wider than the spring and it has to be seated just right for full depression. Now it drops shut like a champ. :)

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