ZT 0550 Belt grinder edge and Scales mod.

rpttrsn

rpttrsn

Joined
Nov 1, 2006
Messages
1,347
My ZT 0550 is the largest EDC I would carry. The edge was not up to my standards or the scale was to rough for my pockets and hands when going for pocket change etc.
I used my Kalamazoo 1" X 42" belt grinder on the edge. The following is the belt progression that I used.
Grits: 100, 240, 320, Trizack A45, 20 micron, 9 micron, leather belt w/ white rouge.
Hand strop with: 2-4 micron paste, green chromium oxide, 0.25 micron diamond spray, plain kangaroo leather on glass.
Total time approx. 20 minutes

The scale was done with a orbital hand sander then by hand to flatten and final finish. Screws were shortened to fit the holes in the scales I counter bored due to removing some G10. It now looks like a carbon fiber to me.
Total time approx. 1 1/2 hours

I am pleased with the results and any comments are always welcome.

DSCN0794-vi.jpg
 
Looks good, (IMO) way too many grits used...you could have got the same results using a 400 grit and then leather with a couple compounds.
 
Love that polished edge.

Is the G10 still a bit grippy with the pattern removed or does it start to get a bit slick?
 
Looks real nice!
OKN, I made a OD green scale and sanded it down, and yes it does get slick. Looks very similar to his.
 
Looks pretty good to me! I have to admit, when I read thread titles like this, I always brace myself for the worst but it came out quite nicely for ya!

:thumbup:
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
Looks pretty good to me! I have to admit, when I read thread titles like this, I always brace myself for the worst but it came out quite nicely for ya!

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Ya, never know whats gonna happen when clicking the thread. This once had a good result. The new edge looks really nice, I like the scale too, an improvement over the factory pattern
 
That looks great. I personally wouldn't do it, seems like it might just be too slick, in combination with the smooth Ti. In terms of looks though you nailed it!
 
jhyde7585 said:
That looks great. I personally wouldn't do it, seems like it might just be too slick, in combination with the smooth Ti. In terms of looks though you nailed it!
Click to expand...
Thank 's all for the compliments and comments.
My Caley3 with Carbon Fiber scales is about the same as to being slick. I find that due to the size of this knife I have no trouble with the grip. If I don't feel the control is good enough I could add a couple of diagonal lines in a few places but have not felt this needed at this time. Don't want to loose the finish of the scale. It has lost the grip from the original scale but that was IMO to rough. I enjoy altering knives to suit my needs. Have learned allot on this forum and from all here. Thanks again for all your comments.
 
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