Trusty BK-9" To mod, or not to mod?

[Mentor]

Howdy all,

So, I'm sure that many of us have knives that fit into the 'high quality workhorse' category - those ever-reliable knives that you use to hack, chop, and baton your way through all manner of material without concern for the scuffs, dings, and wear that might accumulate.

For me, my go-to workhorse is a BK-9 (the old Camillus model). It has, over the years, accompanied me on some of my longest and most challenging wilderness outings, helped to clear snowshoeing trails, hacked apart downed trees, split fire wood, and even clubbed and disassembled a few trout. It has been around the block a few times, and you can tell. The original coating is worn smooth along most of the blade, and completely worn away in some spots. The edge has been re-profiled, and the handle is scuffed, dinged, and splattered with paint from trail marking outings. And the sheath, which was never the highlight of the BK-9 package, has seen better days.

That being said, it still meets and exceeds all performance expectations.

I have seriously been considering stripping it down and re-finishing it, either with an all-natural wood handle + leather sheath combo or with a synthetic handle + kydex sheath combo. Either way, I would remove the coating, give the blade a nice hand sanding, and then finish up with an even vinegar patina.

The counter-argument: The BK-9 is my go-to workhorse because I don't have to worry about scuffing it up. Re-finishing it might make me reluctant to use it as intensely, which would be a shame.

Faced with indecision, I'm turning to you! What do you guys think I should do here?

Looking forward to your input!

All the best,

- Mike

PS Pics!

 

[absolutindian]

Mod it with wood and leather, and then keep USING it!!!!

 

[Mentor]

A bit more W&SS content:

For me, this dilemma reflects a broader question: When we're talking about dedicated working knives for W&SS applications, is it preferable to keep the knife in the best condition that is possible, or should it merely be maintained with functionality in mind?

Obviously, we can have a mix of both. My JK Hudson Bay sees a fair bit of use, but it is always given a thorough once-over when I return from an outing, and it resides on my mantle. In contrast, my BK-9 gets cleaned and sharpened after use, but never touched up with an eye to preserving it aesthetically. It lives in my shop.

What's your maintenance / care approach for dedicated working knives?

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Mongo]

I'm considering having mine modded: strip off the black crap, have a full convex grind done, maybe even have some red liners added to the handle to make her pretty. Maybe when some spare cash flows in...

 

[hiwa]

I don't mind the black,because as it gets worn I like the look ! Maybe micarta grips if I could get them, and a kydex sheath. That's about all would do. It's a user!
I've considered convexing, but it chops and slices good as it is IMO. If there are no edge retention issues, I don't see the point. It's worked well so far.:thumbup:

 

[JV3]

tough call. i voted to keep it the way it is. mind you, i prefer an all-black, no wood & no leather as much as possible kinda guy.

if you mod it, will you keep using it as hard as you are now? if yes, then i'm all for it. if not, then mod it anyway and put it away for display (us humans are of the visual kind anyways) and buy a ka-bar made one for the warranty and use that one. pass the camillus one to one of your kids someday.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey Mentor,

I'm a believer in the old saying, "If it ain't broken............".

I voted no.

Doc

 

[TheGame]

Keep it as is. It is a workhorse that has served well this long, and it should serve as is for as long as possible :thumbup:

 

[Bushman5]

A bit more W&SS content:

For me, this dilemma reflects a broader question: When we're talking about dedicated working knives for W&SS applications, is it preferable to keep the knife in the best condition that is possible, or should it merely be maintained with functionality in mind?

Obviously, we can have a mix of both. My JK Hudson Bay sees a fair bit of use, but it is always given a thorough once-over when I return from an outing, and it resides on my mantle. In contrast, my BK-9 gets cleaned and sharpened after use, but never touched up with an eye to preserving it aesthetically. It lives in my shop.

What's your maintenance / care approach for dedicated working knives?

All the best,

- Mike

tear em down every night (remove scales, wipe knife clean, oil bolts, oil blade, put away well oiled)

 

[Skimo]

It's a working blade, do what ya want with it, I'd use it stock or "pimped".

I guess it depends on how bored you are.

 

[Toucan Oasis]

Snatch the handles off, bead blast it and blue it with Brownells ospho blue.
Make a set of handles out of marine grade Teak and move on.
BTW
Kydex is for mall ninjas.

 

[pict]

Any fool can have a good looking knife. I like seeing guys post what they're doing and seeing a knife with some honest wear on it. Mac

 

[TWBryan]

Nope,it really isn't beat up that much. If it was in danger of rusting I'd say yes,but it just looks a little used at this point.

 

[powernoodle]

I say leave it alone and keep using it as is. It looks great - better than new - and every scrape and ding is a memory that you have made.

If you want to fancy one up, get a new BK-9 and make it fancy. But leave Old Faithful as is.

:thumbup:

 

[SouthernCross]

G'day Mentor

...What's your maintenance / care approach for dedicated working knives?

Clean & sharp



Kind regards
Mick

 

[Mentor]

Thanks for the input, gents.

I'm glad to see that there's so much respect for working blades with a bit of wear on 'em.

Right now, the consensus seems to point to keeping the blade as-is, perhaps with a new sheath and handle.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[kgd]

Give it an overhaul Mike, it will be cheaper then buying a new knife and you will essentially have a new knife. I doubt it will keep you from using it, you are just not that type of guy plus you already know what the blade is capable of. Those Beckers look great with wooden handles, stripped blades and the ramp grinded down.

 

[dawsonbob]

I'm surprised that you would even ask the question, Mike. It's a Becker, for goodness sake. It's meant to be all gnarly and worn, and it's proud of those marks of service: those are the signs of good bush lovin'.

If you want to buy another to dress up and take to the prom, then that's fine. But leave the old war horse some dignity, and just keep adding beauty marks to her.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

here is one with the coating stripped and Bill Siegle g-10 Grips

 

[Mentor]

I'm surprised that you would even ask the question, Mike. It's a Becker, for goodness sake. It's meant to be all gnarly and worn, and it's proud of those marks of service: those are the signs of good bush lovin'.

If you want to buy another to dress up and take to the prom, then that's fine. But leave the old war horse some dignity, and just keep adding beauty marks to her.

Don't get me wrong - The intention was not to put the knife out to pasture! I just think that a piece of steel this fine might warrant some ironwood handles and yellowheart + black spacers, and maybe a decent patina that can evolve with time.

All the best,

- Mike