What is involved in coating removal for these knives?

[silenthunterstudios]

I want to remove the coating on the following FB's and folders. I would like to know what is involved. I have heard many varying opinions, asked manufacturers as well as makers what it would cost, they will be a last resort if I mess these models up, or am not happy with the end result. The main reason for asking is to see if a simple sheet of sandpaper is enough. The ones I want to remove the coating on are the following

Swamp Rat Howling Rat, Camp Tramp and Battle Rat (through extreme use of the Battle Rat, this almost already half over )

Spyderco Military

Becker BK7 Combat Utility

Ontario RAT3 1095

 

[ehhh]

Right now I am in the process of removing the coating from a Becker BK9. I have read that it is good to use paint stripper to first soften the coating, then scrape it off with a scraper or use sandpaper.

I'm using a spray on paint/varnish remover and it softens the coating enough to scrape off. I used my old beater S&W tanto to scrape the coating off and I plan on spraying it again and using sandpaper this time until it's just bare steel. The coating is thick, so sandpaper alone will probably take a while. Sandpaper will probably load up pretty quickly when the coating is softened. I have not tried the sandpaper yet, but softening the coating then scraping it off seems to be the quickest (got most of the coating off one side in a matter of minutes). Only concern I have is it may leave scratches in the steel, but I plan to polish it anyways.

I don't know how much this applies to the other knives, but I doubt you would want to be this rough with the Military.

 

[1whitefoot]

My preferred method is to just use the chemical.
I like the Jasco Paint and Epoxy Remover.
Several applications and I use a wood stick to scrap it of then wash it with soap and water.
After that you can do what ever you want to the bare blade.

 

[knarfeng]

The 1095 Rat3 has black phosphate finish. Paint stripper won't touch it. Best bet is to sand it off. Although I'd keep it on if it were mine. Black phosphate is a good protectective finish for 1095. Especially when kept a bit oiled.

The Spyderco Black Military uses a Teflon coating. I'm not sure if paint stripper would work on that or not. Probably worth a try, but don't bet the bank on it.

The Becker has black epoxy on it. Good chance that stripper will work on it. There are lots of epoxies that one can use for such things. Some are a lot more robust than others. Chances are good that a less robust version was used.

Think the swamp rat will come off with stripper as well.

 

[Fonly]

Wow, I just took a hand sander to my BK7, and finished of with prgressivly finer sandpaper.