thinking about moding a knife!

R

revhard05

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Dec 12, 2008
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I went into a gun shop thursday, as most of us knife guys do, I decided to check out the Knife case first, im glad i did. I spotted a Benchmade Ares, 154cm (decent i guess), G10, black blade, axis lock.

So i handle the knife i was supprised how smooth it was, they had a sticker price on it for $40 so the lady that handed me the knife said they would go 35 so by the time i got around to the cashier (owner) he said he coulnt go lower then 40 so i said what the hey. I got i new gently used knife.

Now what i want to do

- Color the stainless liners with a small beautane torch until a nice blue color is acheved

- jewel the liners with a S.O.S. pad on a drill press

- Posible do some simple file work on the liners

- Sand blast the blade OR get it rhodium plated

- Sand Blast the clip (already done) or rhodium plated

- gold plate the bolts? including the stud on the blade

- what are you all thought on trying to get some more grip out of the worn g10... Sandblast it?


Do i need to jewel the liners before i blue or after?

Tell me what your thinking?
 
I think that you should go with any modifications you're able to make yourself. Fancy finishes are nice but probably won't contribute much to the use you'll get out of the knife. Jeweling is a nice touch but not sure if it's done before the bluing. Don't forget to post a pic once you're done... :thumbup:
 
thanks jose for takeing the time to post.

the only part i might have trouble with is the plateing.

The other part is removeing the Butterfly logo, i dont know if i should do it.
 
It sounds like you have some big plans for your new knife! I do know first hand that bead blasting with plastic beads will bring back the "grip" on the G10 scales for the most part! And glass beadblasting the blade will give it a fantastic "matte" finish! look here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690572
If you don't have access to a blasting cabinet I would be more than glad to help you out with your new project :)
 
I only sandblast smooth g-10... Just for a smoked look on the colored stuff.. Blasting the origionals will not do much.. I have done it for a few people..
I use carbide/ silicone I believe in my blaster .. It looks very fine..And a bit reflective..
 
i appricate the offer dslteck!

Thanks for the input Trimcut123!

I have made a few knives in the past but i think, this will be a fun project!

i might have to wait on the plateing. However i did not think about useing some type of Paint remover on the blade! It might harbor a little better results. I am open to the blade finish, however i have always disliked the black blades, they have their place but i want the Modifications i do to be more in the style of Mike Snodys Folders. I might just opt for a hand rubbed >800 grit. I want the knife modifications to be a little flashy without going over the top to still remain a tactical folder and user.
 
Jewelling is not done with an SOS pad!. It can be done with brushes and silicone carbide compound, or with abrasive rubber cylinders. It will require the use of a drill press or mill.
Heat colored metal doesn't doesn't hold up well.
Rhodium plating the blade is unnecessary. The stainless can simply be polished.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Jewelling is not done with an SOS pad!. It can be done with brushes and silicone carbide compound, or with abrasive rubber cylinders. It will require the use of a drill press or mill.
Heat colored metal doesn't doesn't hold up well.
Rhodium plating the blade is unnecessary. The stainless can simply be polished.
Click to expand...

Do you have a better suggestion on the liners? since the inside of the liners are actually going to be touched (other that a q-tip or micro fiber cloth) i thought maybe it would work
 
It will hold up on the inside, but not the edges. The only other problem is that stainless does not heat color well.
 
With steel you can get goldish to a rusty brown/copper to almost a rusty brown/plum color with heat coloring. Make sure before you try anything that your steel is absolutly spot/fingerprint/smudge free. ( try it on a thin piece of scrap steel first to see what I mean , also I use the stove top for this as it is easier to control your heat )

You also have the choice of eching with ferric chloride for a nice grey finish.

You can 'blacken' the stainless by using FC first , then gun blue. If you let it set a bit , nuetralize , gently polish with vf steel wool it will darken the steel and give it a work hardened look , it is somewhat durable but not permanent. That said I have a Kershaw that I did that too that has seen a bit of pocket time and the 'finish' is still going somewhat strong. I've also did this to quite a few pocket clips , it does work but as I said it is not permanent. ( but then neither are most finishes :) )


Tostig
 
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