The FankenBali Project

NaTeDoGG · Aug 1, 2000

<a href="http://store3.yimg.com/I/gyby_1590_2691722"><img src="http://store3.yimg.com/I/gyby_1590_2842655" border=0></a>
<font size=1>(click for a bigger image)</font>

I am attempting to take that cheapo knife and turn it into something cool. I've created maple handle inserts to replace those hideous green ones and I've sharpened both edges of the blade. I've repinned the knife using hand fitted pins.

I've also sanded off all the chrome because it was a bit scratched. Do you guys have any ideas on what I can do to the bare metal handles? They are cheap pot metal. Sanded with 400 grit paper they have somewhat of a shine, although it needs to be protected somehow. I'm thinking of varathaning the handles to protect them. The shine goes away with handling and the metal is easily scratched. What do you thing about varathane? Any better ideas?

Anyone have any other ideas on what I can do to mod this knife? I'm thinking of sanding the rivot for the latch until if it flush with the handle. Once I feel I've done all I can I will take some pics and post the results.

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"...all power is inherent in the people... it is their right and duty to at all times be armed." Thomas Jefferson (1824)

Chang · Aug 2, 2000

Pocket clips, two total, one on each handle!

NaTeDoGG · Aug 2, 2000

Hehe... pocket clips!? :S

I've got the pins in and sanded flush with the handles. Looks very good! I even repinned the latch. The epoxy holding the maple wood inserts to the handles is drying as I type.

So really it is done. I guess I'll go ahead and try the varathane. I'll be pissed if it ruins it. Varathane requires 3 coats and takes 24 hours to dry, so its going to be a while before I post pics of the beast. But I can't think of any other way to protect the wood and pot metal.

BTW, that second pic is actual size, at 1024x768.

Quicksilver27 · Aug 2, 2000

that balisong used to be a cudeman, right??
i have a 2 of them i think, i sharpened the other edge on them. im thinking about making completely different handles for it

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QuickSilver--"you just gotta be quick....."

sniperboy · Aug 2, 2000

that looks REALLY cool.. I liek the funky appraoch you used with thte grind lines too

COOLIO! you gotta let me publish the final product on my pae.

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<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]

lockstock · Aug 2, 2000

I'm thinking of making a custom bali myself. I have a couple of images in my head, but I don't have the proper tools as of now. I'll have to postpone it a few weeks 'til my "toolman" friend comes back form Spain and I can parasitically infest his toolbox.

Anyways, I'd be really interested in hearing an answer to Nate's question on how to protect the handles. I'll probably use jaguar handles which I guess is aluminium underneath the coating.

Thanks!

Take care,

Per

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"Guns for show, knives for pro"

NaTeDoGG · Aug 2, 2000

Snipe, the pic above is how it looked before I started mod'ing it... you'll have to wait until I get some pics (this weekend) to see what I mean...

Quick, yep, that is a Cudeman. I found it to be very cheap, the green inserts hideous, the handles loose. I wouldn't even carry it straight out of the box. Thats why I decided to screw it all... I mean, make it better.

Lockstock, I think you would fair pretty well if the jag's handles really are aluminum underneath. You'll still need something to protect the metal but there are a lot of aliminum products out there. Maybe if the varathane works out for me you can go that route, I'll let you know.

NaTeDoGG · Aug 3, 2000

Today I took a Jag, popped out the inserts, sanded through the outer plate of metal (nickel it looks like) and through the copper to the bare aliminum. Looks pretty cool.

I also repinned the blade to the handles and the latch using my pimp ass pinning technique.

I'll post a pic today hopefully.

In a couple hours I'll put another coat of varathane on the Cudeman.