(UPDATE) BK12!!+Spine fix,patina&jimp Pic heavy!

hhmoore said:
If your referring to what I saw, it looks like a byproduct of the de-ramping.
Click to expand...

You're quite likely right hh unless you're referring to the notch toward the handle. I'm actually talking about the very subtle dip forward (toward the tip) of where the ramp used to be. Again, it could very well be the light but it looks like an impact ding. I mean, if it were that, whatever has hit it would have to have been metal for it to make that.

By no means am I trying to poo poo an awesome find for Slice its just that was what caught my eye. The ever so slight shadowing under the subtle dip that makes it look like it was compressed.

Sorry folks, I'll stop pressing the point. Stoked for ya brother. That's a really cool knife you've found. Hope you get a lot of use from her.
 
That spot is at the end of where the thumb ramp was. It would have been after the ramp at the very base of the end and i think its normal just not noticeable when the ramp is there. It feels ground like the rest of the spine. There's a definate edge where the ramp use to be but that ends right where this begins. The whole spine has a swell from the tip to the ramp, no straight spot.
That jimping spot is left over from the ramp. It wasn't part of the ramp but the jimping Went all the way up it.
 
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The divot/dimple in front of the thumb ramp is part of the way the blade was originally made.

Here's my BK12 (#72) ...

Notice that the spine actually arcs a little before dropping off to the point. Indeed, notice that the end of the tang touches the red line as does the peak of the spine's arc. But the blade tends to dip toward the thumb ramp as evidenced by the slight separation from the red line.



Here's closer look at the thumb ramp. The 'hump' in the spine causes an optical illusion that there's a divot in front of the thumb ramp.



Of course, the mod'er could have caused more deviation depending on how careful he was doing the de-ramping.


If that were my BK12, I'd tape some sandpaper to a known flat surface (thick glass, machined iron surface), turn the BK12 on it's spine, and sand it perfectly flat from tang to 'hump'. Then I'd add some jimping. That is what I did to my BK10 and it came out great.

 
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You're the man Travis! At first glance I thought the dip went below the tang line. But you're right, I can smooth that out. I may give it a shot. At some point my OCD will make it happen. Not sure if I'm going to take it on yet. Thanks for the suggestion and the fantastic explanation! I actually like the thumb ramp, but, oh well. I'll prob do some jimping first so I can screw that up and have a reason to sand it down lol.
 
I bet it was originally left that way as to not cut into the ROWEN. I don't care tho, I'll sandit down to |\UW[|V haha
 
NCSlice said:
I'll prob do some jimping first so I can screw that up and have a reason to sand it down lol.
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I'd sand first to give myself a level spine to jimp.

With the skills you've already demonstrated, jimping should be easy.

I measured and marked the blade. Then used a small triangle diamond file to score the center line of each jimp. Then the edge of a small flat diamond file, then a small round diamond file. As each jimp got progressively larger and deeper, I constantly remeasured to insure each cut was still centered. Finally, I switched to a 3/16" round chainsaw sharpening file to complete each jimp. Just take your time and let your OCD take over. ;)

I got the diamond files and chainsaw files from Harbor Freight.

BTW, can you tell which of the jimps in the BK10 pic above is the jimp from the original thumb ramp leftover from deramping?
 
I'm going to guess the second solely based on placement. Those are so perfect I thought you machined it! That's great work man and thanks for the tutorial. I have those files, I prefer to do by hand.
Thanks to your tips I'm gonna give it a go. Really appreciate it Travis!
Man, I love this forum.

Thanks Semper, back at ya bud!
 
NCSlice said:
I'm going to guess the second solely based on placement. Those are so perfect I thought you machined it! That's great work man and thanks for the tutorial. I have those files, I prefer to do by hand.
Thanks tco your tips I'm gonna give it a go. Really appreciate it Travis!
Man, I love this forum.
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Right, the 2nd from the left is the factory original. I added the 3 in front and 1 behind.

Thx! Yep, all by hand. It was only my 2nd attempt at jimping too. ;)

And thx to DEX cuz he's the one who passed on tips and encouragement to me.
 
Outstanding work TravisH. That clears it right up. It is just an optical illusion. Thank you for being so thorough in your explanation too. It helps when you're visually guided like that.

Also, magnificent work on that jimping on your 10. Like Slice said, they look machined. I hope when I start modding mine that I can churn out that sort of quality.

I love this place too. Thanks again guys for taking the time to explain these things and not telling me just to shut up and mind my noobie business.
 
Definitely a high spot here. Got the 80grit on it on a 12x12 commercial double pane window sampler I picket up at the scrap exchange. Slow going but it's going lol

 
TravisH said:
Here's my BK12 (#72) ...

If that were my BK12, I'd tape some sandpaper to a known flat surface (thick glass, machined iron surface), turn the BK12 on it's spine, and sand it perfectly flat from tang to 'hump'. Then I'd add some jimping. That is what I did to my BK10 and it came out great.

Click to expand...

TravisH said:
I measured and marked the blade. Then used a small triangle diamond file to score the center line of each jimp. Then the edge of a small flat diamond file, then a small round diamond file. As each jimp got progressively larger and deeper, I constantly remeasured to insure each cut was still centered. Finally, I switched to a 3/16" round chainsaw sharpening file to complete each jimp. Just take your time and let your OCD take over. ;)

I got the diamond files and chainsaw files from Harbor Freight.

BTW, can you tell which of the jimps in the BK10 pic above is the jimp from the original thumb ramp leftover from deramping?
Click to expand...


A-MAZ-ING! Great work and thanks for sharing your technique for us would be jimpers.
 
Thanks guys!
I almost got the spine evened out. Had a chance at work to possibly finish it off. Got everything set up, new sand paper, cut to fit, taped all straight and nice. Went to my bag... No knife :(
Pretty sure I walked out and left it by my bag instead of in it.
Scoured my work van, nothing. Guess I gotta wait til tonight heh...
 
Ok, gotter done! Gonna do a little before and after.
I'd like to thank TravisH for the information, inspiration, and encouragement to complete this process

Before


After


Before


After


Boy, it was certainly a chore. Took a little less than 2 sheets of 80 wet/dry. I changed it frequently to keep it rough. I'm saving it because its still very usable. Now I can look at it without being drawn to that one spot like EVERYONE else did!











The scales are a hair big now that I evened the spine all the from back to the front before it drops. Not enough to worry with since I plan on a rescale eventually.
Thanks for checkin it out!
 
Very nice, indeed!

When I first got my 12, I didn't like it. Something about it seemed 'off'. I was even going to trade it with Dex but he encouraged me to give it some time. But I just stored it. Now I realize ... it's that 'hump'!

I've got to finish my 5 and 10 projects first then I'll start on the 12.
 
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