Tip Up Titanium Military Conversion: Any Pics or Suggestions?

[SAK]

I have been EDCing Spydercos for many years. The one I carry 90% of the time (at least for the last decade) is my Endura.

Until...

I got a G10 Military about a month ago. It has kicked my Endura out of the #1 spot.
Love this Military. Except... I want tip up.


My ideal Military would be Titanium with the Reeve Integral Lock and right hand tip up (ultimately with a G10 scale on the other side).

• Does anyone have pics of a Titanium tip up conversion?

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• Do you know a maker or customizer who does this type of conversion?

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My plan would be to buy a new Titanium Military and have it converted.

Thanks for any help,

SAK

 

[Rare blade]

Nathawut, on usn, I believe is a member that works in titanium conversions and could likely help you out.

 

[Mike45ACP]

Why can't you just buy a Ti military and drill and tap for tip up carry?

Mike

 

[nccole]

I too dig tip up. My G10 Millie got threaded inserts.





For Titanium I didn't do this work. Before Casey Lynch was making those awesome Ti clips I had the detail for wire clips machined into my Chokwe. I now have a drill press and with some practice wouldn't hesitate to attempt drilling three holes in the plain Ti version. Fluted, I'm not so sure about. What I read is the feed rate to drill the pilot hole is much faster than steel, and feels almost dangerous.

 

[blueblur]

I also would like to get a milli but the big factor holding me back is the tip down carry. I've heard the only way to correct this is to drill/tap but this is the first I've heard of threaded inserts. Do you have a link for these?

I also like those deep pocket clips but are they only available from an individual? Long story short, my paypal account has been jacked up so I'd like to use a cc instead.

 

[winnerone23]

I also would like to get a milli but the big factor holding me back is the tip down carry. I've heard the only way to correct this is to drill/tap but this is the first I've heard of threaded inserts. Do you have a link for these?

I also like those deep pocket clips but are they only available from an individual? Long story short, my paypal account has been jacked up so I'd like to use a cc instead.

Look at the bottom right corner of nccole's first pic.
Go there.. Lol.

I use these on plastic transmission and axle housings, on RC rock crawlers. They are sweet!



I would like to put wire clips on a few of my Spydies.. The Delica comes to mind first!

 

[nccole]

I also would like to get a milli but the big factor holding me back is the tip down carry. I've heard the only way to correct this is to drill/tap but this is the first I've heard of threaded inserts. Do you have a link for these?

I also like those deep pocket clips but are they only available from an individual? Long story short, my paypal account has been jacked up so I'd like to use a cc instead.

Here's a link to a thread about that threaded insert job, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1123113-Tapping-into-G10-and-only-G10-for-screws

Casey Lynch aka theoriginalspaceman here on BF sells the Ti clips here. Don't go to eBay, there are knockoffs. Casey's a great guy and had many satisfied customers.

 

[Mike45ACP]

If your talking about a Ti Millie all you need to do is drill and tap correct? There would be know need for inserts which would be needed in G10?

Mike

 

[Cursum Perficio]

I also would like to get a milli but the big factor holding me back is the tip down carry. I've heard the only way to correct this is to drill/tap but this is the first I've heard of threaded inserts.

If you get a Ti Millie I think it would be easy enough to drill and tap the titanium, though I haven't tried it myself.

The tip down only thing stopped me from getting a Military for a long time as I far prefer tip up, but when I finally got one I found it no trouble at all adjusting to it. The Military is an awesome folder.
When I got custom scales made for my second Military the maker nested nuts into the inside of the G10, also left out the lanyard tube and put in another spacer, which is also used to take a clip screw.
Tip up Military is awesome.

 

[SAK]

I really appreciate all the ideas so far - thank you everyone!

I am still searching for a picture of a titanium Mili that has this modification - in regular or fluted. Someone must have done it?

To answer a couple of questions that were asked..

- Thanks very much for the information on the inserts nccole. For now I want to go tip-up in a titanium scale - I will not have to tap into G10.

- I have done quite a bit of drilling and tapping of carbon steel but I have never worked with titanium and I am not too crazy about practicing on something as expensive as a Military (and I don't have a drill press). I envision attempting this and having the drill bit go skidding across the scale - making my own single flute. I think I will try and avoid that and leave it to someone who has done this before.

- Thanks for the suggestion to contact Nathawut Rare blade! I may contact him, but after looking up his awesome work I fear this may be too trivial of a job for him.

- Cursum Perficio, your Kirinite scales make the most beautiful Military I have ever seen. Every time you post them I almost short out my keyboard with drool. I LOVE that knife.

Obviously there are quite a few people who would like the Mili in tip up. All my favorite Spydie users are tip up. After finally breaking down and trying the Military the tip down is not as bad as a thought. However, there are 2 reasons I want to go tip up. 1) I once had a tip down knife (not a Spyderco) partially open in my pants and cut my leg. Even if it was a fluke, tip down has made me skittish ever since. 2) I hate reaching in to my pocket to get my keys and hitting the spine jimping - not comfortable.

I understand why Sal designed the Military as he did and understand it is fine for most people. I just like the Military so much that I am willing to spend money to modify it to fit my personal preferences.