- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Messages
- 3,201
So Chestnut Ridge apparently is out of stock of BK2s until maybe next week. Wish I'd known that before I ordered <grumble>. Anyway, while I wait in anticipayayshun I have been musing about the mods I have read about and may want to do. Would be interested in user's thoughts.
Strip - I definitely want to do this. The black is neat and probably smart for blade protection, but it's ultimately a little tacticool for me. I just don't want to hear it from Wife, either, so this'll be out of the box. I need to research through the forum for the best process and materials. Sounds like it's no big thing.
Forced Patina - I definitely want to do this too. I get the user comments about earning the patina but it seems like too good of a customization opportunity to pass up. A bit nervous; some of the photos I've seen look godawful.
First I'll experiment on the handle interior. I'm thinking an overall uniform blueing (from mangos, apparently), then if I can pull it off a stippling on the blade flat and the ricasso. Saw a user who'd posted pics of this latter trick and it's pretty sweet.
New handles - The photos of the cocobolo handles I've seen are to die for, holy shit! I'm kinda thinking I should stick with the stock handles for a while though just to get a feel for shape and size; I've got really big hands, and using them for a while will allow me to know what I might want to change. Also kinda thinking it would be neat to instead get handles made from an AZ hardwood; keep it in the family, y'know? Not sure how to find somebody to make them, and not sure about an approximate cost. It probably hurts.
Hardware - I've seen too many altered handles with different hardware that look awesome to not do this. Unsure of what I want though; probably stainless.
Lanyard - I'll need a loop lanyard since I'm clumsy as hell. I'll probably do something simple right out of the gate, paracord probably, and then try to get something in leather with some cool bead.
Jimping - Again, with big hands I could see this being useful. Kind of seems like I should spend some time with the knife before I just go and do it, though.
Serration - I've seen a lot of people say that modern cords are easier to cut with serrations vs thick blades. This could come in really handy. It'd have to be along the spine and probably closer to center to get it away from my thumb. Again, I'll spend some time with the knife first.
Sheath - I ordered a kydex sheath because it's got such a great and simple look to it, plus people seem to like them. I could see myself moving into a leather sheath somewhere down the road though.
I know all this above makes it seem like I don't want the knife I'm actually buying, but that's really not the case. The way I see it, I'm buying the steel quality, extreme utility, long life, and great design that everyone here seems to agree is what makes this knife special. Everything else in my mind is kind of window dressing, although I recognize that the designer put in plenty of thought into those elements as well.
We'll see... maybe stock out-of-the-box is how I keep it!
Strip - I definitely want to do this. The black is neat and probably smart for blade protection, but it's ultimately a little tacticool for me. I just don't want to hear it from Wife, either, so this'll be out of the box. I need to research through the forum for the best process and materials. Sounds like it's no big thing.
Forced Patina - I definitely want to do this too. I get the user comments about earning the patina but it seems like too good of a customization opportunity to pass up. A bit nervous; some of the photos I've seen look godawful.
First I'll experiment on the handle interior. I'm thinking an overall uniform blueing (from mangos, apparently), then if I can pull it off a stippling on the blade flat and the ricasso. Saw a user who'd posted pics of this latter trick and it's pretty sweet.
New handles - The photos of the cocobolo handles I've seen are to die for, holy shit! I'm kinda thinking I should stick with the stock handles for a while though just to get a feel for shape and size; I've got really big hands, and using them for a while will allow me to know what I might want to change. Also kinda thinking it would be neat to instead get handles made from an AZ hardwood; keep it in the family, y'know? Not sure how to find somebody to make them, and not sure about an approximate cost. It probably hurts.
Hardware - I've seen too many altered handles with different hardware that look awesome to not do this. Unsure of what I want though; probably stainless.
Lanyard - I'll need a loop lanyard since I'm clumsy as hell. I'll probably do something simple right out of the gate, paracord probably, and then try to get something in leather with some cool bead.
Jimping - Again, with big hands I could see this being useful. Kind of seems like I should spend some time with the knife before I just go and do it, though.
Serration - I've seen a lot of people say that modern cords are easier to cut with serrations vs thick blades. This could come in really handy. It'd have to be along the spine and probably closer to center to get it away from my thumb. Again, I'll spend some time with the knife first.
Sheath - I ordered a kydex sheath because it's got such a great and simple look to it, plus people seem to like them. I could see myself moving into a leather sheath somewhere down the road though.
I know all this above makes it seem like I don't want the knife I'm actually buying, but that's really not the case. The way I see it, I'm buying the steel quality, extreme utility, long life, and great design that everyone here seems to agree is what makes this knife special. Everything else in my mind is kind of window dressing, although I recognize that the designer put in plenty of thought into those elements as well.
We'll see... maybe stock out-of-the-box is how I keep it!
