To strip or not to strip?

If you are going to strip it, strip it all, then mask it off and shoot some clear polyurethane on the the area under the scales. I strip some knives, leave others coated. Convex most of them, grind off the ramps, change the scales around, mod the sheaths...etc.. That's what's so cool about Beckers. They are just plain fun to play with. Make it yours, the way you like it. But you have to post some pics..:D
 
I put a satin finish on mine today with a scotch-brite pad.

I like this look

ninestripped.jpg
 
Yeah I had already stripped it with Citrus-Strip and sanded it to 600grit

Then I just used a plain scotch-brite pad, no compound
 
clichtenwalner1 said:
So in order to keep the coating under the handles I should trace em then use a small brush to remove any coating that's visible? I stripped a bk2 before but it was completely and I just oiled the crap under before I put the scales back on.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I did with my BK9. While it doesn't have years of service since the strip job, it has had an inordinate amount of use due to the storm damage it helped to clean up. I just swapped the scales on the 9 to my BK2, and there was a tiny bit of wood debris that had worked its way under the scales, but no rust, and the oil I put under there was still spread evenly. The knife has been stripped for most of this year.
 
I prefer to leave the coating under the scales since I lock tite the scales on afterwards and don't plan on taking them off to check for rust. Besides it's already there anyways (the coating) and can be worked around fairly easily. Just my two cents
 
I have read others thoughts on the coating and its possible increased friction when batoning. I paid special attention to the feel of the knife through the wood, Friday night, and now that I stripped my BK2, I will once again pay close attention to the feel while batoning today. I will post my thoughts and maybe it will give you something to mull over.
 
I am stripping a Ka-Bar Leather Tanto as I type this. (Apologies ... I know it's not a Becker, but someone might want to do a Ka-Bar at some point.)

I wrapped the handle with a sock so the stripper wouldn't eat into the leather washers. I started with Jasco on the blade and have now switched to CitriStrip for the guard and pommel. I am applying the CitriStrip gel carefully with a Q-Tip. It is much gentler (and slower) than the Jasco. This is more work than doing a Becker 'cause you have the leather to protect, but it is already looking more like a "war knife," which is my ultimate goal. :)
 
I strip the whole thing, then shoot some clear coat on the area under the scales.
 
tradewater said:
I strip the whole thing, then shoot some clear coat on the area under the scales.
Click to expand...

The only fully stripped Becker I have is my Camillus 2. This is exactly what I did with mine. I'll do the same with the 10 that's coming.
 
I'm gonna strip my 2, Widerstand's blade is just too awesome of a temptation for me to stay stock.
 
I got some of that Jasco Paint Epoxy Stripped Moose-Man told me about, and I have a fresh-out-of-the-box BK14. Gonna strip it here in a bit. Any tips, or links to the definitive guide to chemical stripping?
 
C_Tanner said:
I got some of that Jasco Paint Epoxy Stripped Moose-Man told me about, and I have a fresh-out-of-the-box BK14. Gonna strip it here in a bit. Any tips, or links to the definitive guide to chemical stripping?
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking that, ya beat me to it. I was removing the spray paint off my Crewman and went a little crazy. I exposed some bare steel, so now I'm probably gonna hafta strip her all the way.
 
C_Tanner said:
I got some of that Jasco Paint Epoxy Stripped Moose-Man told me about, and I have a fresh-out-of-the-box BK14. Gonna strip it here in a bit. Any tips, or links to the definitive guide to chemical stripping?
Click to expand...
Tape what you dont want stripped, it will still bleed under the edge of the tape a bit. Use a plastic scraper. Just go for it and have fun and about 15 mins later you will be an expert.
 
Idaho Guy said:
I would say there is a place for both. But stripping both of my Beckers (BK14 & BK2) took about 15 minutes each. So quick and easy are the benifits of using stripper i would say.
Click to expand...

Quick and easy are both good, but I just didn't know if sanding has any added benefits. Like maybe polishing the blade as you remove the coating.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top