Zuluninja
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2009
- Messages
- 2,796
Howdy folks. As my knife-making dreams are on hold due to a non-finished garage, I have taken to messing with the stock at hand. This time the makeover was done to an M-Tech 151. Now, I know it is an inexpensive clone of a CS Trailmaster, but after seeing the destruction vids and favorable reviews I decided that it was good buy for the price. It would also allow me to practice my re-handling skills if I decide to do something to my trailmaster.
First thing to go was the coat. Surprisingly, it has quite even grinding on both faces and a clearly defined clip. after some sanding I tried a tweak on the acid etch process I'm still learning. Since it is made in China, I decided on an oriental theme. On the right side it got a kabuto (japanese helmet) and the kanji symbol for "samurai". (I thought I could not blue stainless, but a mix of gun blue and ferric chloride worked pretty good)
The left side was done with a homemade etcher that I made several years ago when I found this site and the instructions to a do-it-yourself etch process. Salt, vinegar, q-tips, gator clips and an old cell phone charger. 2-step etch with bamboo canes and a ghost katana
So, the blade got better looking...now it needs a better handle. I have done several leather stacks using other materials too, but for this one I wanted to try a full Scagel-style. You, my friends, be the judges. Top of the guard was loped off too.
It has black g-10, pieces of safety cone/ safety drum, brazilian cherry, leather and topped with a stag crown. To celebrate it's good looks, I took it outside and beat it quite good while hacking off a heavy branch in the backyard that was too close to the power line, then chopped into sections and battonned into quarters left to dry. It also battonned a piece of dry wood that had been sitting for at least 3 months and included a couple of knots. It came out on top with hardly a ding on the edge, as I intend to use it as it was meant to.
Hope u likey. Next step is leather pants
First thing to go was the coat. Surprisingly, it has quite even grinding on both faces and a clearly defined clip. after some sanding I tried a tweak on the acid etch process I'm still learning. Since it is made in China, I decided on an oriental theme. On the right side it got a kabuto (japanese helmet) and the kanji symbol for "samurai". (I thought I could not blue stainless, but a mix of gun blue and ferric chloride worked pretty good)
The left side was done with a homemade etcher that I made several years ago when I found this site and the instructions to a do-it-yourself etch process. Salt, vinegar, q-tips, gator clips and an old cell phone charger. 2-step etch with bamboo canes and a ghost katana
So, the blade got better looking...now it needs a better handle. I have done several leather stacks using other materials too, but for this one I wanted to try a full Scagel-style. You, my friends, be the judges. Top of the guard was loped off too.
It has black g-10, pieces of safety cone/ safety drum, brazilian cherry, leather and topped with a stag crown. To celebrate it's good looks, I took it outside and beat it quite good while hacking off a heavy branch in the backyard that was too close to the power line, then chopped into sections and battonned into quarters left to dry. It also battonned a piece of dry wood that had been sitting for at least 3 months and included a couple of knots. It came out on top with hardly a ding on the edge, as I intend to use it as it was meant to.
Hope u likey. Next step is leather pants
